While the Labor Day 2007 races are still fresh in many minds, the excitement of the upcoming Sprint Cup at the California Speedway is taking hold. Fans are already buying their tickets for the events scheduled for the last weekend of February.

Qualifying Day is Friday, February 22 with the Craftsman trucks (NASCAR-styled pickup trucks) Series Practice, Sprint Cup Series Qualifying, and Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide.

On Saturday, February 23 the NASCAR Doubleheader will include the Craftsman San Bernardino County 200, Nationwide Series Stater Bros. 300, Nationwide Series Qualifying, and Nationwide Series Practice.

On Sunday, February 24 the ever popular NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 500 will see the most famous faces in NASCAR vying for points. Die hard fans will want to take note the Auto Club 500 includes the debut of the Car of Tomorrow.

The roads outside of the Speedway are another story. The Fontana Police Department expects to see many more vehicles than in years past and they intend to be prepared.

"The February race always has a lot more traffic to start the race. Visitors are advised to be prepared. They should check to see where their gate is located and get directions in advance. We do anticipate more traffic on Cherry Avenue due to the completion of the 210 Freeway. Participants may want to leave a little early and expect heavy traffic getting into the track," says Cpl Brian Heaviside with the Fontana Police Department, Traffic Division.

"Village of Heritage residents may want to exit the neighborhood onto Foothill Boulevard or East Avenue," adds Heaviside. "Cherry Avenue, Foothill Boulevard, and Baseline Avenue will each have a lot of traffic so drivers are advised to avoid those roads when near the Speedway. Back-ups will most likely occur between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm when the racing is scheduled to begin. Between 1:00 and 4:00 pm traffic should be quiet and then it will pick up again between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm after the races."

As with the Labor Day series, Fontana residents who do not plan to attend the race-day activities should try to completely avoid Cherry Avenue between Baseline Road and Valley Boulevard. Drivers are also advised to avoid all streets from Foothill Boulevard to Slover Avenue.

Last February, traffic on Slover Avenue was congested. Drivers were asked to take Slover Avenue to Mulberry Avenue and South to the 60. Travelers should plan for a similar situation in February.

Areas where forced right turns are expected include Cherry Avenue northbound at Walnut Avenue, Arrow Route, Whittram Avenue, and Randall Avenue.

For more information please call the Fontana Police Department at (909) 350-7772 or visit online at www.fontanapd.org. To find out more about the racing lineup or to purchase tickets please visit the California Speedway website at www.californiaspeedway.com.