Speedway employing iPhone, Android apps to help ease traffic problems for NASCAR weekend

By Aida Ahmed

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 | 2 a.m.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials are expecting traffic to run smoothly, not only for those racing but for those attending this year’s NASCAR weekend.

The speedway welcomes more than 150,000 NASCAR fans for the annual race weekend, said track president Chris Powell. To help ensure easy travels to and from the speedway, race officials are leaning on technology and law enforcement, including Metro Police, Clark County and the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Race fans are encouraged to download the speedway application for iPhone and Android to receive updates on the best routes to and from the race. The app features seating guides and shows visitors the closest first-aid posts and concession stands. Fans can follow the speedway’s Twitter feed for updates, as well.

Speedway visitors from Henderson and the southern part of the valley are asked to enter through Las Vegas Boulevard. Fans coming from the Strip should use Interstate 15, and people west of I-15 are asked to come up Interstate 215. Motorcycles and vehicles with handicapped stickers are to enter the speedway through I-15 and exit 54, Powell said.

NHP Trooper Jeremy Elliott added that arriving early is key and visitors should tune in to KDWN-AM 720 for additional traffic updates.

Traffic control during the race weekend also will include the use of 1,500 traffic cones, 218 traffic signs, 25 message boards and 24 barricades, according to speedway officials.

Powell said the hundreds of thousands of visitors coming in and out of the event at the same time is a challenge, but traffic flow surrounding the race weekend has improved in recent years.

“A major point of emphasis we’re going to have this year is Hollywood Boulevard,” Powell said. “We have had a problem over the last few years of cars parking along Hollywood Boulevard. It really creates more problems because a lot of pedestrians are walking.”

Powell said any cars parked on the boulevard, which stretches along the outer rim of parking lots on three sides of the speedway and runs all the way to Las Vegas Boulevard North, will be towed at the owner’s expense. No-parking signs will be in place.

“There is plenty of parking on the speedway property, and there’s no reason for anyone to park (there),” Powell said.

General parking is free at the speedway.

Metro Police Lt. Leonard Marshall strongly advises race fans to use public transportation, bus or taxi, and to pay attention to signage and direction given by officers on patrol throughout the weekend. He also had advice for fans who will be enjoying alcohol at the races.

“We’ll be doing some targeted DUI enforcement on the highways,” Marshall said. “So we want to remind those race fans who are going to have a good time to make sure they have a designated driver.”

Coach America is providing shuttle service to the speedway from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 5:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday from the following hotels: Las Vegas Hilton, Tropicana, Treasure Island, Riviera and Golden Nugget.

This year NASCAR weekend falls on the changeover to daylight saving time. With the majority of visitors coming in from out of state, Powell reminds fans to move their clocks forward an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday.