NASCAR venue not all that’s new in LV

Lisa Snedeker

Monday, March 2, 1998 | 10:17 a.m.

David and Lee-Ann Russell don't fit the NASCAR fan stereotype.

The couple from Brookings, Ore., was easy to spot in the grandstand at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend in their matching black nylon jackets and hats bearing the colorful NASCAR logo.

But the similarities between the Russells and the commonly held belief that NASCAR fans are Budweiser-swilling, Winston-smoking rednecks ended at their attire.

The Russells were among the more than the estimated 60,000 NASCAR Busch Series fans and the more than 110,000 Winston Cup Series fans who spent Saturday and Sunday, respectively, at the Speedway north of Las Vegas.

Call them the "new" NASCAR fans.

Since 1990, NASCAR has seen a 65 percent increase in fan attendance at its various race venues and those packing the grandstands are no longer just good old Southern boys.

The Russells, both in their 40s, are computer consultants who travel around the country in their pick-up truck and fifth-wheel trailer in between servicing and programming contracts with companies such as Hewlett-Packard.

"We're on the road," David said of their current sabbatical. "We travel all around and see races. We enjoy life."

Currently parked in Laughlin, David said they drove up to Las Vegas Thursday to spend a four-day weekend at the track.

"We couldn't miss the inaugural Winston Cup race here," the almost-20 year veteran NASCAR fan said.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the country's fastest growing sport and the Russells celebrated by treating themselves to their first visit to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Having experienced their share of motor speedways scattered throughout the country, David said they were impressed with the only facility added to the Winston Cup circuit this season.

"It's state of the art, except for the bathrooms," David said, echoing a sentiment that would be voiced throughout the weekend -- especially by men who oftentimes found themselves waiting more than 10 minutes in line to enter the restrooms.

The couple is quick to point out that they don't imbibe and they don't smoke. They do, however, faithfully follow their favorite stock car drivers: Sterling Marlin for him and Chad Little for her.

"Chad Little is the only one who crashed while qualifying," David said while pointing to a spot on the wall near Turn 2 just before the Sam's Town-Las Vegas 300 took off from the starting line. But Lee-Ann wasn't deterred by her driver's bad luck. "I stick with him through thick and thin," she said.

On their way to the track Friday morning, the couple stopped to have breakfast at McDonald's and found themselves chatting in line and placing their orders with Winston Cup veteran Dave Marcis and his team.

Drivers like Marcis who take time to talk to their fans and sign autographs are one of NASCAR's selling points, Lee-Ann said.

"I like that drivers and their crews don't stay in the background," Lee-Ann said, adding she hopes the sport's growing popularity doesn't change their interaction with fans.

And fans they have if Sunday's Las Vegas 400 crowd -- hailed the largest to attend any single sporting event in Nevada's history -- was any indication.

But unlike the traffic jam fiasco which will forever be associated with the Speedway's inaugural Indy Racing League event, local traffic and law enforcement were prepared and say their efforts apparently paid off.

Nevada Highway Patrol troopers said traffic flow was smooth, thanks in part to the added efforts of Metro Police, and the majority of fans were in their seats by the time the green flag went down Sunday despite almost double the number of vehicles making their way toward the Speedway.

"Traffic problems were something we had to expect, but what made the difference is that the fans listened to us," said NHP Trooper Steve Harney, referring to advice given to race fans to arrive early and stay late. "We are very happy with the outcome."

The longest wait to get into the track was Sunday.

"By 10 a.m., we had traffic backed up to Tropicana (Avenue), but it only took an hour for them to get in the gate," Harney said. "The fans were easy to work with and traffic was not nearly as bad as it could have been."

Fans waited from two to four hours in traffic trying to leave the Speedway after Mark Martin crossed the finish line and rolled into Victory Lane.

Richie Clyne, the Speedway's chief executive officer, claimed there were "absolutely no traffic problems," adding that it is estimated more than a quarter million people came to the Speedway throughout last week which in turn created a tremendous economic impact.

The 60 additional CAT buses used to transport fans from downtown and the Strip out to the Speedway also alleviated traffic tie-ups, Harney said. "It was their first time assisting us, and they made a big difference."

Harney said with each race the Speedway hosts the traffic problems diminish.

"Each race we have gets better and better. We're learning with every one."

The exits were orderly, Harney said.

"While some left the area, others ate, shopped for merchandise, and stayed a while longer to avoid traffic. We had a few fender-benders and some people trying to take short cuts through the desert and getting stuck, but overall these race fans were polite, they listened and they made law enforcement's job a lot easier. They're the best people I've had to work with at a big event."

Then there were the more than 1,000 race fans who didn't have to fight traffic to get to the Speedway.

Across from the Russells -- perched on the hillside overlooking the racetrack, infield and grandstands -- five-year Las Vegas resident Lonnie Paulus listened to a dream come true Sunday. Brightly colored Fords and Chevys roared past her while she barbecued hot dogs for her family and friends outside a recreational vehicle.

The 32-year-old accountant is a serious NASCAR fan. She was so excited about the Winston Cup coming to Las Vegas she rented a motor home and paid $1,500 for the trackside RV spot to celebrate the series' debut at the Speedway.

Paulus, who races limited late models at the 3/8-mile track just south of the mega-racetrack, named her son after Kyle Petty.

"I like the full-size stock cars," she said, referring to her 20-year love affair with the sport. "They are like the cars you drive on the street."

In the RV next door, Bob Pinkerton of LaPorte, Ind., said he and his wife, Jan, flew out to join family in welcoming the Winston Cup to Las Vegas.

"I'm so happy for you guys," said the 54-year-old dealer who works on a Trump Casino boat harbored in Gary, Ind. "This is one of the best things that ever happened to Nevada."

Vegas Steele owner Craig Teglia concurred with his in-law. "This (Winston Cup) is the cream of the crop," the eight-year Las Vegan said. "It's the first time I've seen the (grand)stands full."

Teglia, 41, said the entire family likes going to the races and the inaugural race provided the perfect excuse for everyone to get together.

His only complaint? "We need more races."

SUN REPORTER Karen Zekan contributed to this story.