Memo to race fans: Leave early

Jace Radke

Thursday, March 3, 2005 | 9:50 a.m.

Construction on Interstate 15 and an expected record crowd could delay NASCAR fans as they make their way to the UAW-DiamlerChrysler 400 on March 13.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials are expecting as many as 150,000 fans at this year's Nextel Cup Race, but those fans who don't heed the advice of the Nevada Highway Patrol to travel to the race via Interstate 215 could be in for a long day of traffic.

"Take the beltway, and leave as early as you can," said Lt. Steve Cabrales of the highway patrol. "Usually we have the shoulder all the way from Craig Road to the speedway, but the construction eliminates that."

The construction is for the new Lamb Boulevard interchange and runs between the Craig Road exit and the Interstate 215 exit. There are still two travel lanes, but they are lines with concrete barriers, and the speed limit drops from 65 mph to 45 mph in the construction zone.

Speedway officials are asking people to leave at least a couple of hours early for the noon race and if possible to take public transportation. Fans coming from the east side of the valley are asked to use Las Vegas Boulevard to get to the race, while those in the Northwest should use the beltway and those coming from the Strip should use I-15, speedway general manager Chris Powell said.

"It is my hope that at some point we can overcome the perception from some in the community that when NASCAR comes to town people have to get out of town," Powell said, adding that traffic has improved at the speedway since it first hosted major races in 1998 and 1999.

Whatever route fans decide to take to the race they should prepare themselves to wait in traffic, Cabrales said.

"The roads are going to be at maximum capacity," Cabrales said. "It will be packed."

Speedway spokesman Jeff Motley said that he thinks traffic has gradually improved at the Speedway because the race is drawing repeat customers who are becoming more educated about where to go and how to avoid traffic.

Saturday March 12 will also be a busy day for traffic along the Speedway corridors as about 100,000 are expected for the Sam's Town 300 Busch Series race.

Citizens Area Transit buses will again be running special routes to and from the speedway all weekend long. The buses will be allowed to drive up Las Vegas Boulevard and cut through Nellis Air Force Base to avoid traffic and arrive at the Speedway.

Starting Thursday and running through the weekend CAT buses at the downtown transportation center will provide express service to the Speedway. Buses will also run a special route along the Las Vegas Strip stopping at about a dozen properties and making trips to the Speedway.

One-way trips to the Speedway will cost $5 per person, and a 4-day unlimited ride pass is $25.

Local radio station 96.3 KKLZ will be providing traffic updates every 10 minutes on March 13, and anyone looking for more information about the race can go to www.lvms.com.