Security checks may mean longer lines

Jace Radke

Thursday, Feb. 28, 2002 | 11:19 a.m.

Race fans, creeping through traffic at speeds of 5 mph, will meet a giant caution flag when they reach the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400.

Traffic jams are as much a part of Winston Cup racing as pit stops. Now, waiting times for security have also become part of the equation for fans entering the speedway.

"There will be some added security in light of Sept. 11," said Chris Powell, speedway general manager. "We will be checking bags, and we're encouraging fans to leave early."

The race begins at 12:30 p.m., and Powell is advising fans to leave their homes or hotel rooms by 7 a.m. to ensure that an estimated crowd of more than 135,000 is in the stands when they wave the green flag.

The searches, which will be done by hand, will be conducted at the speedway's ticketing gates, Powell said during a press conference at the track.

"We will be taking some security measures that we haven't taken in the past, but we're not going to reveal all the measures," Powell said. "We are in contact with Metro Police, the Nevada Highway Patrol and the FBI. There will be security that the fans don't see."

Powell did not rule out the possibility that cars could be searched and that metal detectors could be used.

After the press conference Powell met with Metro K-9 officers to discuss sweeping parts of the speedway for explosives.

During the recent Daytona 500 in Florida, bags were searched, cars were randomly searched and hard-sided coolers were banned. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway has never allowed coolers, Powell said.

Metro officers will be stationed inside the speedway, said Sgt. Tom Page, who is part of Metro's special events unit, which will coordinate public safety inside the complex.

"We'll have patrol units, traffic units and our mounted patrol out there," Page said. "These big events are always learning experiences for us, and we are always refining our plans. We will stay in contact with our intelligence people and the FBI throughout the process."

Though security may slow race fans, speedway officials are hoping that the traffic situation on race day continues to improve, which has been the case since the Winston Cup Series came to Las Vegas five years ago, Powell said.

"Last year we had a great flow of traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard, and we hope to see that continue this year," Powell said.

Las Vegas Boulevard and Interstate 15 are the only routes to the speedway, and with more than 135,000 heading to the same destination, heavy traffic will always be prevalent on race day, NHP Trooper Alan Davidson said.

"It's a busy weekend every year," Davidson said. "If people want to make sure they get out here in time for the race the best thing they can do is shack up with someone in an RV and spend the night."

The NHP will also have troopers on hand to help with traffic during Friday's qualifying session and Saturday's Sam's Town 300 Busch Series race.

Eighty Citizen's Area Transit buses will provide transportation from downtown and the Strip to the speedway for $5 each way, or fans can purchase a $20 pass, which is good throughout the weekend.

Last year buses were permitted to cut through Nellis Air Force Base, which allowed them to bypass I-15 and Las Vegas Boulevard. Due to heightened security that may not be possible this year.

"We're still working with Nellis to see if that will be possible this year," Powell said. "If it's not, then we'll have a dedicated bus lane on Las Vegas Boulevard."