NASCAR: Getting there only half the battle

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 | 4:01 p.m.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway issued a press release today stating that it expected "smooth vehicle flow" for NASCAR Weekend Feb. 29-March 2.

If by "smooth vehicle flow" it means the parking lot will be cleared by the following Tuesday, I'll buy that.

Actually, getting into the track for the UAW-Dodge 400 hasn't been a problem for years. It's getting out that is a hassle. And no matter how you interpret "smooth vehicle flow" it'll continue to be a hassle, so long as everybody insists on leaving at the same time (when the race is over) and traveling in the same direction (toward Las Vegas, not St. George.)

You can't blame the speedway for that. Sometimes when you play the hand that is dealt, it's a pair of deuces. Then about all you can do is issue press releases about smooth vehicle flow.

Over the past few years, according to this year's press release, the 215 beltway, new interchanges and wider roads have helped make ingress and egress from the speedway’s property a constantly improving experience for race fans.

If by "constantly improving experience" it means getting home before the Milwaukee's Best runs out, I'll buy that.

But I digress. Or ingress. Or egress. Anyway, back to the press release:

The speedway is reminding race fans using Interstate 15 that there are three exit lanes on the ramp leading into the speedway. Local fans living in the northern and western parts of the valley are encouraged to use the 215 beltway.

Speedway officials also are encouraging race fans to use buses and shuttles such as the Regional Transportation Commission’s Race Transit for transportation to the races.

Race fans using buses and shuttles? Yeah, that'll happen.

On the same day Kyle Petty gets a haircut.