by John Mastalir edbrucevegas@yahoo.com
Random thoughts of this NASCAR event in Las Vegas.....my observations and experiences. I have seen every one in Las Vegas and hope to continue the streak !
NASCAR..... the best promoted and best sporting event ever....equally true in Las Vegas. As I remain on strike from all major sports (MLB,NHL, NFL,NBA) this leaves me boxing, ECHL and this....I remain convinced I have the best of it !
We have passed the computer age here.....cars....media....administration.....everything is in the next stage.
NASCAR has always been fan friendly....so true ! There are not lots of people telling you that you cannot go here (like the MGM arena) Some remain !
The drivers are availiable.....sign autographs....thank their sponsers at every opportunity and generally act like nice guys !
Competition is fierce.....they rebuilt the infield to include a fan friendly block behind the press tower to allow fans to view the garage action from four positions.
Access to the infield and pits is getting easier !
Follow instructions and traffic to the track is bearable. At 930 Sunday morning I left Sahara and Decatur drove straight to Nellis....to Las Vegas Boulevard.....now five lanes to the Speedway...it was less than an hour....infield parking for the media is the greatest thing since the Beatles. I have always backed in to park....its the only way....nobody else does....BUT NO.....here as I drove down pit road the front row of 400 cars all backed in for easy outs. WHAT !
As I was going to the race Sunday morning at 930 AM a number of tour buses were taking the same route as me....down Saraha (they were in the wrong lane of course). At 730 PM as I was returning from my umpire meeting up Sahara at Eastern these same buses were returning (still in the wrong lane) ....it was a long day !
Press room food sensational, staff sensational, more people here asking if then can help you than not...the event for 170,000 people is probably over staffed.
Sam's Town 300 Saturday included many drivers from the Las Vegas strip who just ran into each other and brick walls....Sunday's 427 (thats miles) not much better with 200 caution flags and stops on lap 2 and 11.
Obviously the best way to see the race is on TV and meet DIGGER ! Seems like the finish line video screens are 10 times too small !
Of course the spectacle is the thing.....8 Jersey boys sang the national anthem and 6 Thunderbirds raced over the crowd at the final note .....continues to amaze me how they can hit the timing of this yet we can't balance the federal budget !
I got to see Elvis, Gordy Brown and some loud rap music I could have done with out !
Mayor Oscar Goodman added two showgirls to his act (4) and was sporting a neat straw hat. The worlds happiest mayor shook hands with every driver at introductions and pushed for a second NASCAR event for Las Vegas.....the world needs more guys like this !
People will take their kids anywhere....can you image pushing a baby cart on the track, up the stairs and thru the crowd for 6 hours !
NASCAR FANS are serious and buy everything they sell here...a great spot for vendors. Every fan has his favorite driver T shirt or one with a smart ass slogan. I may someday get me a headset and tune in....everybody else has one !
When they rebuilt the track they put the press tower up too high and you cannot see the entire track from every seat (don't look for this to change)....you can still see almost everything...unlike Daytona.
I am glad I live in Las Vegas !
I met fans from West Virginia, Mesquite Nevada and points in between.....what a blessing for the Las Vegas economy.....the depression has not hit NASCAR and these fans.....at least there was no evidence of it here. Many fans were going to see Cher.....figure for yourself flights from the east coast, four nights at Caesars, Cher, car, meals, Nascar tix.....you do the math !
Beer only $6....I have yet to have my first !
Great concession food.....plenty of urinals !
Maintenace constanly working...... the place was spotless !
Oh yeah they raced on the most beautiful day on earth.....wrong guy won for me !
My plans are to continue to see every race they have.....what a treasure this thing is !
A+ event 100 score they start on time.....wish they could finish sooner !
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