Speedway officials expect traffic on race weekend to be better than past years

By Kyle B. Hansen

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 | 2:05 a.m.

Getting more than 100,000 people to and from one place at the same time is never easy, but Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials say they are set to make travel to NASCAR weekend as smooth as possible this year.

“Each year, we talk about vehicle flow onto and off of the property during the course of our NASCAR weekend, and each year I think things get better,” said Chris Powell, the speedway's president and general manager. “That was not necessarily the case in the early days of the speedway.”

The speedway will have 1,500 traffic cones, 218 traffic signs and more than 300 other assorted signs and barriers to help direct traffic this weekend. The traffic control alone will take 374 man hours to set up, officials estimate.

The speedway got a huge help in easing congestion just before last year’s big weekend when work on Interstate 15 in the northern part of Las Vegas was finished.

This year, Powell said, the speedway has also made things easier for people coming from the eastern part of the valley by moving a parking lot closer to Las Vegas Boulevard.

Race fans are encouraged to take the Las Vegas Beltway to Interstate 15 if they are coming from the southern or western ends of the valley.

Parking at the speedway is free. Specific driving directions and parking maps are available on the speedway’s website.

The speedway also has a new app available for iPhones that provides travel and parking information as well as directions to restrooms and concessions inside the speedway.

No matter where race fans are coming from, the best advice speedway and law enforcement officials have is to get there early, plan to stay late and be patient.

“We still ask our fans to use a little bit of early thinking and try to come to the speedway early just in case,” Powell said. “You never know when you might have that fender bender on the boulevard or on the interstate and could back things up.”

The Nevada Highway Patrol and Metro Police will be out in force directing traffic and enforcing traffic laws.

“Bring your patience when you come out,” said NHP Trooper Joseph Fackrell. “We’re going to be out there trying to assist you the best we can with traffic control.”

Metro Police Lt. Richard Fletcher added, “When you put 100,000 people in a confined area, patience is a virtue.”

Law enforcement officials also remind motorists to wear their seat belts and have a designated driver. Metro will have a DUI van at the speedway Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Fans’ best bet to avoid traffic problems is to not drive at all.

Coach America will be providing shuttle service for the race this year for the third time. Buses will pick fans up at selected downtown and Strip hotels Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The buses have special clearance to access the speedway via Nellis Air Force Base, avoiding most of the traffic along the route.

Bus passes are available Friday and Saturday for $35 per day or Sunday for $45. A three-day pass is $65. More information about bus service is available online.