Track officials want fans to take the bus

Ed Koch and Jace Radke

Friday, March 2, 2001 | 10:41 a.m.

To ease traffic to and from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, track and law enforcement officials are recommending that NASCAR fans leave their cars at home and take one of 75 specially marked public CAT buses.

Those who insist on driving their cars and other vehicles are being warned to be patient and expect delays as an estimated 130,000 people are expected to squeeze into the Northeast Las Vegas facility from two main access roads for Sunday's UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400.

"Last year we transported 26,000 people to the track, and that was on a rainy day," said Heather Curry, spokeswoman for the Regional Transportation Commission which oversees the CAT buses.

"We got involved after the first year (of this race) when there was quite a mess, and a partnership has since developed between us, the Nevada Highway Patrol and Metro Police to ease traffic problems."

Curry said officials learn something new every year to make the process easier the next year. For example, this year, after the race passengers will be directed to specific buses that will stop at one location on the Strip where everyone will get out.

This, she said, should avoid the gridlock that occurred last year on the Strip as buses coming from the track made multiple stops at various points.

A bus trip will cost $5 per person. Passengers can catch the buses -- they will have in their front windows special yellow signs marked "NASCAR" -- at various points along the Strip beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday and 4 a.m. Sunday.

The CAT buses will travel in a special lane on Las Vegas Boulevard that will allow for quicker transport of a larger number of people. Speedway spokesman Jeff Motley said that's a good reason for spectators to use CAT buses to get to and from the races.

"The buses are a quick and easy way to get to the race, and it cuts down on the number of cars in the lots," Motley said. "We made major strides from the 1999 race to the 2000 race where we dropped from 4 1/2 hours to 2 1/2 hours to get everyone out after the race.

"The industry standard is 3 1/2 hours, and we were well below that last year. Our goal is to stay below the standard and make this the best traffic situation on the circuit."

For those who choose other modes of transportation, police and highway patrol offer one key piece of advice.

"Leave early," said Metro Traffic Lt. Joe Greenwood, noting that 27 off-duty traffic officers will work the routes to the track on Saturday and 44 off-duty traffic and patrol officers will be on duty Sunday -- all paid for by the Speedway.

"The Speedway has added parking on the Las Vegas Boulevard side this year, so we don't know if that will cause an increase of traffic on that road."

Before Sunday's race, traffic along Las Vegas Boulevard will be four lanes northbound from Craig Road to the track and one southbound emergency lane. That will be reversed to empty the facility after the checkered flag falls.

The Nevada Highway Patrol, which is responsible for traffic flow on Interstate 15 as well as traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard north of Craig Road, will have 37 troopers on duty around the track Saturday and 52 in that area on Sunday.

"We've canceled all days off, and every guy we have will be out there," Trooper Alan Davidson said. "The situation out there has gotten better in the four years this has been going on, but it will still be a long day for us. We'll be out there Sunday from about 4 a.m. to probably 8 p.m."

Parking at the track is free for passenger cars and motor homes that utilize the general parking area. There are special motor home spots available for overnight users, but they are quickly being snatched up, Motley said.

The limited motor home spaces include spots on the turn three precipice for $2,900, spots on the infield for $200-$500 and camper space parking at $125 per day. Motley said fans planning to drive motor homes to the event Sunday should call ahead to check on space availability.

Inside the facility, Metro Police and private security will keep order, as 38 off-duty uniformed Metro officers will be on duty inside the Speedway Saturday and 51 off-duty uniformed Metro officers will be working Sunday. Their salaries also will be footed by the Speedway.

"Last year there was only a small amount of trouble, nothing serious," said Metro Special Events coordinator Lt. Curt Williams.