Wind ruins holiday plans

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Not only is the wind blowing more of the smoke towards Albuquerque from the fire in the Gila wilderness, but it's kept many people indoors on what is normally a very busy holiday weekend.

Memorial Day Weekend plans were put on hold at the Napa Speedway, west of Albuquerque.

"Every time we tried to practice, the winds blew us out," said Bruce England, who brought his family to watch their son race cars.

Several families at the speedway went from plans of racing cars and tailgating for the weekend, to just staying indoors.

Eighteen races were canceled. Other races on the big track were delayed for two weeks.

Wind gusts of up to 50 miles-an-hour were too dangerous for the cars. England didn't want his son out on the track.

"It would make the car very uncontrollable," said England.

The whipping winds slowed down the crowds at the Albuquerque Wine Festival at Balloon Fiesta Park.

Julieanna Romero has been coming to the festival for four years and this year's crowd is the smallest she's seen. She says it's nice to have shorter lines and not have to squeeze into the venue.

"All of the tables are usually taken up, so it's kind of nice to be able to relax, and have more space; shorter lines," said Romero.

But that meant bad business for hat salesman, Sparky Hatter. His booth wasn't seeing much action.

Back at the speedway, parents like Bruce England tried to keep the kids entertained with safer races: bicycle races.

The races at the speedway were rescheduled for Sunday morning, pending the wind. If it's anything like Saturday's wind, they will be canceled.