Race traffic: Heavy from start to finish

Bob Shemeligian

Friday, Feb. 27, 1998 | 10:20 a.m.

Message to NASCAR race fans: arrive early and stay late.

That's the recommendation of state and local police who will be stationed along the roadways leading to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend as race fans head out for Busch and Winston Cup series races.

"This is the No. 1 event in the history of Nevada," Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Steve Harney said. "There will be more people at the Speedway on Sunday than there have ever been at a single event in the history of the state."

A sell-out crowd of 107,000 is expected to descend upon the Speedway Sunday for the 11 a.m. start of the Las Vegas 400, Southern Nevada's inaugural Winston Cup Series NASCAR racing event. As many as 60,000 fans are expected to attend the Sam's Town-Las Vegas 300 NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division race on Saturday, and traffic officials are determined to keep things moving before and after the races.

"We've learned from past experiences, so we're taking every precaution to ensure traffic enters the raceway and leaves smoothly," said Harney, who added more than 40 NHP troopers will be stationed on roads leading to the Speedway throughout the weekend.

In addition, Metro Police Capt. Carl Fruge explained that a dozen traffic police officers also will be stationed in the area. "We're going to assist NHP in ensuring that traffic flows smoothly into the raceway," Fruge said.

Richie Clyne, Speedway chief executive officer, explained that the Speedway is working with NHP and Metro to ease traffic congestion. Harney pointed out that all of the additional officers needed to police the area over the weekend will be paid by the Speedway.

"It won't cost the taxpayers a dime," Harney said.

Fruge said Metro is looking at Saturday's Sam's Town-Las Vegas 300 as a "dry run" for officers anticipating the major crush before and after Sunday's race.

"Saturday will provide us an opportunity to practice to make sure traffic flows smoothly for the big event Sunday," Fruge said. "Because the world is going to be watching. It always does during NASCAR."

Fruge explained that the Speedway "really is a small city." Residents who live in that area should understand that "it's going to be a bear" trying to get around neighboring side streets throughout the weekend, he said.

To ease traffic, general and grandstand ticket-holders are encouraged to follow Interstate 15 north to the Speedway Boulevard exit. Before and during the first half of each race Saturday and Sunday, three of the Speedway Boulevard's four lanes will be open to traffic moving toward the Speedway.

"Midway through the race we'll reverse it," Harney said. "By doing this, it gives us more lanes to move the bulk of traffic that will be going to the raceway before the race, and leaving the raceway after the event."

Once motorists arrive at the Speedway, more than 100 attendants have been hired to direct them to appropriate parking areas.

To provide a little incentive to arrive early, Harney explained that free doughnuts and coffee will be offered at the track from 5 to 8 a.m., courtesy of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Other incentives for race ticketholders to get out to the track early and to stay late Sunday include free concerts. Country music newcomer Jo Dee Messina will perform during a pre-race concert at 8:30 a.m., while the "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys" of the rock group .38 Special will take to the stage following the checkered flag.

"People might want to sit back, and enjoy the entertainment after the race, or have a cookout (in the parking area) or a tailgate party, like they do at football games," Harney said. "That way, the traffic won't be as bad when they leave."

Drivers of commercial and mass-transit vehicles are encouraged to head north on Las Vegas Boulevard, which will be designated as one-way north of Range Road heading to the Speedway before the race, and one-way heading south away from the Speedway after the race on both Saturday and Sunday.

In order to reduce congestion on the roadways, race fans are encouraged to take a Citizens Area Transit bus or carpool to the Speedway. Those driving should stay tuned to local radio stations for traffic updates.

"The more race fans who utilize mass transit, the better off we'll all be," Fruge said. "We're also going to do as much as we can to prioritize mass- transit vehicles. If there's a traffic jam, they will receive preferential treatment."

The cost for CAT service is $1.50 each way.

CAT route 302 will provide service from hotel-casino stops along the Strip to the Speedway and back from 6 a.m. until midnight. CAT route 113A will provide service from the early morning until approximately 6 p.m. from the Downtown Transportation Center to and from the Speedway on Saturday and Sunday.

Motorists who wish to utilize the CAT bus service are advised to park downtown at the Grant Sawyer Building at Washington Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard. Route 113B will provide service to the Speedway beginning at 6:30 a.m. every hour, increasing to every 15 minutes from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Return service will be provided until approximately 6 p.m.

Those who take their own vehicle to the race are advised not to drink and drive. "We're going to be right there watching you on the road. Don't be foolish,"Fruge said.

The goal of Sppedway and law enformcerment officals is that race fans have a safe and enjoyable experience this weekend.

"We want people to come out and enjoy this race (Sunday) because this is history in the making, and very rarely do people get to be a part of history," Harney said.