Record crowd likely to bring traffic troubles

Thursday, Feb. 18, 1999 | 9:03 a.m.

Nevada Highway Patrol Lt. Mark Malloy says officials want to make mass transit work in hopes of avoiding a traffic nightmare at March 7 race.

"If we can get 60 people on a bus, that's 20 to 30 fewer cars that we have to deal with," Malloy said.

Last year, fans spent hours getting to and from the stadium, as a record 135,000 people turned out to watch the race.

The number is expected to be larger this year, with nearly 20,000 new seats constructed at the track.

Speedway General Manager Chris Powell said this year's attendance will surpass a year ago, with the turnout expected to be "the largest single day gathering of people in the history of Nevada."

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