GIVE ME LAS VEGAS FEATURES THE LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
As most anyone knows Las Vegas offers scores of attractions, exhibits,
concerts, gambling, professional sports, great restaurant, nightclubs,
conventions and lots more. There are many reasons for 44 million people to visit annually!
The town can be overbearing for some and an adult Disneyland for others.
For those that want to try something different while visiting a great getaway or special occasion is about 12 miles out of town…
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway has a rich history dating back decades.
The original track in Las Vegas was called the Stardust International Raceway which closed in 1971.
Following the closure of the track plans evolved for a new racing facility – the Las Vegas Speedrome. The plan designated the far northeast corner of the Las Vegas Valley as the new site. It opened in 1972 and consisted of a road course and drag strip. The founders added the 3/8-mile short track in 1985. Ralph Engelstad, the owner of the Imperial purchased the track in 1989, renaming the facility Las Vegas Speedway Park.
Engelstad partnered with William Bennett. owner of the Sahara Hotel, and together they opened a new $72 million superspeedway on the site in September 1996. The first race at the speedway was an Indy Car race on September 15 . A NASCAR Truck Series followed. th
In December 1998 the Las Vegas Motor Speedway was purchased by
Speedway Motorsports from Engelstad and Bennett for $215 million.
https://www.lvms.com
The Winston No Bull Million Dollar Bonus was held at the track from 1999- 2002. Jeff Gordan won the million-dollar bonus in 2001.
Continuously working to improve the track and fan experience, in 2006, they reconzgured the track increasing the banking from 12 degrees to 20 degrees. The reconzguration entailed “progressive banking” which increases the degree of banking on a gradient towards the outside of the track – thus increased side-by-side racing.
Electric Daisy Carnival
Over the years the Las Vegas Speedway evolved into a multi-use location. In 2011 Insomniac Events produced their largest rave festival, Electric Daisy Carnival at the track. Nearly a quarter of a million people attended the event!
In 2012 a third road course was added. The new 2.3 mile course has 23 turns and an 1,800 feet straightaway. In 2017, the drag strip was expanded to four lanes. The NHRA April meeting has been held at the track since 2018.
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway continues to grow in scope every year.
The track hosts motorcycle racing as well. The 2022 Summit ET Motorcycle Series featured 12 exciting races. So, if you’re into twowheel speedsters the Las Vegas Motor Speedway delivers! https://www.nhra.c om/nhra-summitracing-series
The history of the speedway is an exciting one – but not without sorrow. In 2011 The IZOD IndyCar World Championship was held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Unfortunately, the race was halted by a crash on lap 11 that involved 15 cars, some of which became airborne, and some of which burst into flames. The crash turned into a big pile-up of cars forcing the red flag to be immediately waved because of the damaged cars and debris strewn all over the track.
Four of the 15 drivers were seriously injured and taken to the hospital, one of which was two-time, reigning Dan Wheidon, an Indianapolis 500 winner and 2005 series champion. Wheidon suffered severe blunt force trauma to his head and was pronounced deceased shortly after he arrived at the University Medical Center. IndyCar ofzcials decided to abandon the race with 188 laps remaining. Instead of completing the race19 drivers who were not involved went back out on the track for a zve-lap salute in Wheldon’s honor.
IndyCar
IndyCar didn’t return to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway until 2022.
Today one of the big events at the Speedway is the Southpoint 400. The Fall NASCAR Weekend will take place October 14-15, 2023. It will also feature the NASCAR Xznity Series playoff.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway is not just about racing, concerts and other events. It’s a lot more! It has served the Southern Nevada community since 1999. Through it’s.
Speedway Children’s Charities it has granted more than $5 million to local children’s causes. Grants are typically given to a variety of organizations and most likely have touched the life of someone you know if you live in the area. The Speedway Children’s Charity raises funds throughout each year by partnering with racing, corporate and local communities.
Operating as a 501(c)(3) non-prozt organization, the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities is governed by a board of local trustees whose sole purpose is to distribute the funds raised each year to qualized local children’s-based 501(c)(3) organizations.
Gentlemen… and ladies “Start your engines!”
