Typically, in times of a tight economy, entertainment budgets are the first to be cut in American households.

This summer, NASCAR fans will look for ways to enjoy their favorite sport and travel to races without tapping into the kids' college funds.

They need look no further than Home for the Races, an online service that offers fans a way to swap or share houses in order to save money on accommodations.

Like the TV reality show Wife Swap, without the headaches or housework, Home for the Races connects NASCAR fans together in an effort to offset the cost of a race weekend where lodging can account for nearly $1,000 a trip.

The idea came from Julie Buchanan, 41, and her husband, Steve, 41, both avid NASCAR fans who live about seven miles from Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Va.

As NASCAR grew the couple saw the demand for lodging grow seemingly out of control to the extent that fans were forced to stay three and four hours from the track.

Julie, a stay-at-home mom looking for a side business, knew that home rentals were popular but not always affordable or reliable, so the idea of sharing your home with a fellow NASCAR fan, she said, just seemed like a more favorable alternative.

"And home exchange has been popular for more than 50 years but no one has thought to do it in the sports arena," she said.

Home for the Races does not arrange for a house rental, direct you to a campsite or offer a room for the night. They actually pair you up with individuals who are willing to share or swap their homes.

For example, if I want to go to the upcoming Coke Zero 400 at Daytona but can't afford to stay in a hotel, I can find a willing host or hostess on the Web site, www.homefortheraces.com, to put me up for the weekend free of charge. And then I would later open my home in Indiana if they would choose to go to the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in Indianapolis.

Of course, through the site, you can list certain restrictions you have such as no 200-pound dogs or chain smokers, etc. The members of Home for the Races negotiate online.

A computer guru, Steve Buchanan designed the Web site so fans could list their homes for sharing or exchanging, chat about their lodging needs and upload photos of their homes and also list what races they would like to attend.

Popular with non-traditional travelers for decades, Julie said home exchange is becoming a fast-growing vacation alternative due to the rising costs of hotel accommodations, home rentals, gas prices and airline fares.

Also, Julie added, "Based on mutual trust, home-exchange clients have the comfort of knowing that someone is taking care of their home while they are on vacation, rather than leaving it empty."

Since the site's recent inception, the Buchanans have received a couple of dozen members looking to participate.

"We are hoping the idea catches on because it's a great way to make new friends and it's virtually free," she said. "I mean, what do they stand to lose? I just assume share or swap because then you don't have to deal with rental-agency fees and you know who is in your home."

And the Buchanans aren't the only ones considering the pocket books of NASCAR fans these days. Bristol Motor Speedway, along with other tracks around the country, also is finding ways to alleviate spending and keep travel costs affordable.

Lori Worley, a public-relations representative for BMS, said they are exploring a new option for campers who make up 64 percent of the race attendees.

"Basically, we would park their campers here on property between events so that they wouldn't have to spend the extra money to drive it back and forth," she said. "Also, in a time when the cost of everything seems to be rising weekly, we are not increasing ticket prices for any of our events for the foreseeable future."

And camping looks to be the more affordable alternative at Texas Motor Speedway, as well. Director of media relations Mike Zizzo said RV camping was up at the recent Samsung 500 in April.

"It may appear that this may be the NASCAR fans' version of 'carpooling' to curb expenses. You can bring more people, split the costs on fuel, etc., and once you park the RV you are not spending additional fuel going to and from the track/hotel/restaurants each day," he said.

Track promoters are also trying to make a difference by providing more entertainment for the fans' this season as well as attractive ticket packages.

"We are offering a very affordable package," Zizzo said. "The 7-Eleven Family 4-Pack; it is four tickets, four hot dogs and four Cokes for the Dickies 500 Cup race at $159. That is less than $40 a ticket and one of the best deals you will find for a major sporting event in the [Dallas-Fort Worth] marketplace," he said.

And aside from the free parking and the kids-seats-for-free promotion on Fridays and Saturdays at Michigan International Speedway, Sammie Lukaskiewicz, director of communications, said creativity can be the best coupon.

"Here's one that's kind of silly: the state of Michigan has an aggressive aluminum recycling program," she said. "So interestingly, race fans from outside the state that bring in canned beverages can return their empty cans at one of the area recycling points and make money while they're here. Ten cents per can!"

When it cost an average of $60 to fill your car with gas these days, NASCAR fans might be willing to do anything to save a buck: collect cans, open their homes, sleep outside, etc.; just don't miss the races.