Trek to track to be better this Sunday

Thursday, Oct. 31, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

This time, officials believe they are ready.

Track officials and local authorities have come up with a plan to deal with the traffic onslaught before and after Sunday's big race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Limited access to Interstate 15 and one-way traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard are two ways they hope to move traffic more efficiently to and from the speedway.

A major traffic jam en route to the track's inaugural event in September marred a day that otherwise was a smashing success with the largest turnout ever -- 67,000 fans -- for a sporting event in Nevada.

After several meetings between track officials and local authorities, plans were developed to handle the 80,000 to 100,000 auto racing enthusiasts expected for the Carquest 420K.

The race at the $200 million racing complex is the season finale for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Qualifying action starts Friday.

Significant changes to routes to and from the track include:

* Closing northbound Interstate 15 onramps at Cheyenne Avenue and Craig Road, making the Lake Mead Boulevard entrance, nine miles from the track, the last point of entry onto the highway. This, officials say, will prevent traffic problems caused by merging.

* Making all four lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard from Lamb Boulevard one-way northbound from 8 a.m. to two hours after the start of the race. At the midway point of the race, all four Las Vegas Boulevard lanes to Lamb will become one-way southbound until 6 p.m.

* Turning the right shoulder of I-15 from a breakdown lane into a third northbound lane starting at 8 a.m. That lane and the adjacent one will turn off into the racetrack parking lot. The left lane will continue through to other points.

* Urging high-profile vehicles such as buses, limousines and cabs not to use I-15, but rather the far left northbound lane on Las Vegas Boulevard.

* Posting extra signs informing motorists of options available to get to the track.

* Closing smaller streets such as Hollywood Boulevard that contributed to delays in getting cars into the 67,000-space parking facilities for the first race.

Track officials and police say the key for race fans is to arrive early and hold tailgate parties or visit the track infield to get a closer look at the race cars on display.