Las Vegas Motor Speedway (track complex formerly known as Las Vegas Speedway Park from 1993 to 1996, Las Vegas Speedway in 1992, Las Vegas International Speedway from 1990 to 1992, as the Las Vegas International Speedrome from 1972 to 1990) is a 1.500 mi (2.414 km) tri-oval intermediate speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada . The track complex, since its inaugural season of racing in 1972 with off-road and drag racing, has seen expansion and has hosted various racing series, including NASCAR , IndyCar , and Champ Car . The track has been owned by Speedway Motorsports, LLC (SMI) since 1999, with Chris Powell serving as the track's general manager. It is served by Interstate 15 and Las Vegas Boulevard .
82-432: The track has a capacity of approximately 80,000 as of 2023. The track's complex features numerous adjacent tracks, including a 0.375 mi (0.604 km) oval named The Bullring, a 0.500 mi (0.805 km) clay oval, and a road course with multiple layouts that is mainly used for sports car experiences for the general public. The main track also features an infield road course that is used for sports car racing. After
164-418: A 1.500 mi (2.414 km) oval on the track's complex, which was completed in 1996. In 1998, SMI and its founder Bruton Smith bought the complex. Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) in its current form is measured at 1.500 mi (2.414 km), with 20 degrees of banking in the turns and nine degrees of banking on the track's frontstretch and backstretch. Before 2006, the track had 12 degrees of banking in
246-445: A 10-year lease with the city to lease the complex. Although the complex was able to see off-road racing, management problems soon plagued the complex; by August, Ellis began looking for a new partner to replace Ainsworth. As a result, Alex Rodriguez, a drag strip driver, sent pleas to fellow Las Vegan racers to come to meetings set up by him to try and clean up the facility. Rodriguez and his son, Alex Rodriguez Jr., were later appointed by
328-463: A 200 miles (320 km) race to christen the track, to be held on September 15, 1996. By August, construction was underway for the track, with a private opening for tire testing scheduled in May. Three months later, new NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races were added, with construction being "right on schedule". In January 1996, the track named Ray Wilkings as the general manager. By the end of February, LVMS
410-451: A 3/8 mile paved oval, in 1996 with a 1.5 mile oval, when the circuits current name, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was used, and in 2000 with the current drag strip location. The fastest official lap records at Stardust International Raceway are listed as: This article about a motor sport venue is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a sports venue in Nevada
492-520: A NASCAR-style superspeedway. On October 16, 1994, the Review-Journal reported that Clyne and Juberg were interested in making a bid for a modern racing facility. At the same time, longtime motorsports businessman Bruton Smith , with the success of his newly formed Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI), announced plans to build a $ 75 million facility west of the Mississippi River . According to one of
574-601: A drag strip. In August, SNORE held another event, this time opening a 3 ⁄ 4 mile (1.2 km) buggy course. In December, Price announced that the track would hold its first drag strip event in January 1972. In December 1971, Larry Horten announced a bid to rival Price's track named the Las Vegas Raceway Park, seeking approval from the Clark County Board of County Commissioners for a 520-acre plot of land that
656-689: A driverless open-wheel race titled the Indy Autonomous Challenge as part of Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which has become an annual event. The Bullring dirt track hosted the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series from 1996 to 2006 and from 2009 to 2019. The High Limit Racing is scheduled to run at the venue in 2025 on the NASCAR Cup weekend. In 2014, the track hosted a race for the Red Bull Air Race World Championship ; however,
738-555: A food festival. Since 2012, Enrico Bertaggia , a former Italian Formula Three driver, has run the Dream Racing program at the track, a program where the general public can drive exotic cars around a road course on the track's complex. The track also hosts the "Driver's Edge" program, a driving education course. As of October 2024, the fastest official race lap records at Las Vegas Motor Speedway are listed as: Stardust International Raceway The Stardust International Raceway
820-480: A lease from Clyne to run the track complex. That same year, the complex was renamed to the Las Vegas Speedway Park by Juberg. In May, the duo took over the master lease to the track from Tom Villardi. Around this time, the track still had no major events, including off-road racing due to environmental concerns. Around 1993, the Review-Journal reported that Clyne was researching the feasibility of building
902-663: A motor sports complex", stating a lack of proper racing facilities. By February 1971, the complex, initially known as the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was being built with "work [progressing] daily". On May 16, 1971, the complex was recorded to have held its first races on a 1 ⁄ 2 mile (0.80 km) dirt oval, sanctioned by the Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts (SNORE). By July, the Clark County government approved plans to create an oval and
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#1732859119434984-454: A political website that Righthaven sued after a Democratic Underground member posted a five-sentence excerpt from a Review-Journal article; the counterclaim, filed against Stephens Media and Righthaven asserted that alleged a "sham relationship" between the newspaper and Righthaven, and accused Righthaven of copyright fraud. In March 2011, a federal judge dismissed a suit brought by Righthaven, stating that no evidence had been presented that
1066-473: A publisher of four small regional newspapers in Connecticut. At a December 10 staff meeting informing the Review-Journal staff that the paper had been sold, Schroeder was introduced as the manager. He refused to say who the owners of News + Media were, saying that employees should "focus on [their] jobs...and don't worry about who [the owners] are." Jason Taylor, the Review-Journal's publisher, said only that
1148-622: A race weekend from the New Hampshire Motor Speedway , with the first iteration being run in 2018. Along with its Cup Series races, the track has hosted lower-tier NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series races since the track's inaugural season of racing in 1996. The track hosted its first IndyCar races in September 1996, the first major races ever ran at the track. Until 2000, the Indy Racing League ran an IndyCar race at
1230-529: A reputation for being "old, dirty, and tattered". At this point, little hope was shown for the track's revival; Review-Journal writer Greg Bortolin estimated millions of dollars for renovations to attract major racing leagues, with no guarantee of interest as at the time, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas ' (UNLV) sports teams were the only major sports events in the city. In interviews with track media manager Neal Reid, Clyne stated that he initially wanted to turn
1312-680: A series of legal suits claiming copyright infringements. The company's practice was to search the internet for uses of Review-Journal material, purchase the copyright for that material from the newspaper and then file suit for copyright infringement. According to The Wall Street Journal , "Defendants typically get no warning, no take-down request, just a suit." Between March and August 2010, Righthaven LLC filed copyright infringement suits against 107 blogs, political forums, website operators, and others. The Electronic Frontier Foundation , together with other pro bono attorneys, filed an Answer and Counterclaim on behalf of Democratic Underground ,
1394-518: A studio on its downtown campus to produce high-end live and on-demand videos for news, politics and sports. Programs include: In addition to delivering its shows on the Review-Journal website, the Review-Journal launched a Roku app in early 2018. In 2018 and 2022, Editor and Publisher magazine named the Review-Journal as one of 10 newspapers in the United States on the magazine's annual list of "10 Newspapers That Do It Right". In 1998,
1476-574: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Las Vegas Review-Journal The Las Vegas Review-Journal is a daily subscription newspaper published in Las Vegas , Nevada , since 1909. It is the largest circulating daily newspaper in Nevada and one of two daily newspapers in the Las Vegas area. The Review-Journal has a joint operating agreement with The Greenspun Corporation -owned Las Vegas Sun , which runs through 2040. In 2005,
1558-468: Is located in Las Vegas, Nevada , in-between Interstate 15 and Las Vegas Boulevard . At its peak, the track held over 140,000 seats. As of 2023, according to the Las Vegas Sun , the Las Vegas Motor Speedway has a stated capacity of 80,000. At the time of the track complex's opening, it was situated upon 200 acres of land with a capacity of 3,000. The complex has since expanded extensively, and as of 2015
1640-584: Is situated upon over 1,200 acres of land according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal . Numerous amenities exist on the track's complex; most of which were built as part of a 2006 renovation project on the track. As part of the 2006 renovations, the track built a redesigned, interactive garage that is known as the Neon Garage that spectators could access for an extra fee during race weekends. A three-story, 60,000 square-foot media center, currently known as
1722-451: The 2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship on the race's 11th lap. In 2017, the drag strip was expanded to four lanes to accommodate four cars racing at once. In 2018, the track won rights to host another NASCAR Cup Series weekend in the fall. Since the mid-2010s, the track has decreased its capacity multiple times. In 2015, the track announced the removal of 15,000 seats in the track's third and fourth turns to make way for RV parking. In 2017,
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#17328591194341804-761: The Clark County Journal began publication, and in July of that year, the Review bought the Journal and shortly thereafter began co-publication as the Las Vegas Evening Review-Journal . In the early 1940s, Cahlan and Garside's company, Southwestern Publishing, bought the Las Vegas Age , from Charles P. "Pop" Squires, which began publication in 1905 and was the oldest surviving paper in Las Vegas. The word "evening"
1886-533: The IZOD IndyCar World Championship to become the season finale of that year's season, with the IndyCar Series' CEO, Randy Bernard , stating that he hoped it would become a major IndyCar event. To try to increase the race's stakes and to promote the event, Bernard put up a $ 5 million bounty to any non-IndyCar driver who could win the race. However, after numerous drivers rejected it, the challenge
1968-723: The NHRA Stardust National Open in 1967, 1968, 1969, and 1971. The Stardust Racing Association was dissolved on April 1, 1968, 1 day after the USAC Stardust 150. The hotel and raceway were sold in January 1969 to the Parvin-Dohrmann Corporation, and the new ownership closed the track shortly thereafter. Larry Horton , the track's manager, re-opened the drag strip in August 1970 and ran drag racing events until October 1971. Real estate developers Pardee Homes acquired
2050-467: The Sun ceased afternoon publication and began distribution as a section of the Review-Journal . On March 18, 2015, the sale of the newspaper's parent company, Stephens Media LLC , to New Media Investment Group was completed. In December 2015, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson purchased the newspaper for $ 140 million via News + Media Capital Group LLC. GateHouse Media, a subsidiary of New Media Investment Group,
2132-534: The "General Excellence" award from the Nevada Press Association several times and has also won the "Freedom of the Press" award for its First Amendment battles from the statewide organization. When the paper was sold in 2015, it was initially unclear who the buyer was. The purchaser was a limited liability company, News + Media Capital Group LLC, and the only name listed on the documents was Michael Schroeder,
2214-467: The 1980s. During Rodriguez's tenure, a 0.375 mi (0.604 km) oval was added in 1985, which is now known as The Bullring. In 1989, Richie Clyne , the director of the Imperial Palace Hotel 's (now called The Linq) automobile museum, bought the complex from the city. By the mid-1990s, Clyne, Imperial Palace owner Ralph Engelstad , and Sahara Hotel owner Bill Bennett announced plans to build
2296-544: The Air Force lobbied the Clark County government to refuse the lodging. The track complex features numerous adjacent tracks; two of which were built before the main track. In 1985, the complex built a 1 ⁄ 3 mile (0.54 km) oval that was assisted with donations of barriers that were used in the Caesars Palace Grand Prix . In 2000, the track was modified to become 3 ⁄ 8 mile (0.60 km) and
2378-483: The Craig Road Speedway to First Interstate Bank due to satisfy debts from his family business, leaving the local stock car racing community without a track. Van Norman stated that he hoped Rodriguez would build a paved oval like Craig Road Speedway at LVIS' complex. In 1984, LVIS opted to host stock car racing events, essentially reviving the local stock car racing community after a year of relative silence. In 1985,
2460-559: The LocaliQ Digital Center for sponsorship reasons, was also constructed in 2006 within the track's infield. A 127-unit condominium tower was also slated to be built overlooking the track's first turn; however, the plan saw opposition from Nellis Air Force Base and United States Air Force officials, who did regular flight training and drills near the track, later clarifying that it was due to safety risks. Although SMI CEO Bruton Smith initially refused to comply, he relented after
2542-622: The Speedrome Racing Association to conduct the rest of its races. In 1975, the track was used as the starting point for the Mint 400 . In September of that year, the NHRA returned, with the complex holding its first major drag racing event in almost three years. On September 17, the city of Las Vegas considered revoking Price's lease, with stated reasons including that Price owed around $ 3,400 on monthly payments, increased cases of vandalism to both
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2624-604: The Stardust International Raceway property and related adjacent properties in August 1970 and built the Spring Valley community. Pardee commenced residential development on a portion of the property as drag racing events were still in operation directly adjacent. The track was replaced by the Las Vegas Speedrome , which opened in 1972 as a drag strip and road course. It was subsequently expanded in 1985 with
2706-472: The Stephens Media newspapers were sold to New Media Investment Group . The current Review-Journal headquarters was built in 1971. A new $ 40 million printing press was installed in 2000 as part of a four-year, 152,000-square-foot expansion project. The two printing presses weigh 910 tons and consist of 16 towers. They were the largest presses in the world when they were installed. The newspaper has won
2788-454: The area into an industrial park, but was convinced otherwise by motorsport businessmen Bob Bahre and Tom Wheatcroft. The track held its first races under Clyne's leadership with the newly rebranded Nissan 400 (now known as the Mint 400). By 1991, the complex aimed to expand its events, along with general renovations to the complex. In 1993, David Juberg and Craig Graham, both amateur racers, took over
2870-413: The changes, in contrast to Review-Journal writer Ron Kantowski, who praised the changes and Bruton Smith. In 2011, the track won rights to host the flagship branch of Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) after EDC oversaw controversy in its previous location, Los Angeles . That same year, the track experienced its first fatal auto racing accident when longtime IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon died in an accident in
2952-411: The city to replace Ainsworth, due to the partnership being strained between the two. Rodriguez, within the first months, invested $ 75,000 on improvements and a repave of the track. Drag racing saw an overall uptick; Mike Henle viewed Rodriguez so highly that he declared, "Rodriguez has done a commendable job – and drag racing is up from the canvas because of him". In 1982, Van Norman gave up ownership of
3034-510: The city; the withdrawal was considered a big blow by the city to repair the track, with the city claiming that the track could not see any serious proposals for racing in the next 18 months. However, by June, the complex was able to hold the Silverbird Race of Champions, a race that featured numerous movie stars; however, the race flopped, seeing a lack of spectators. By January 1979, the city of Las Vegas began looking for potential leasers, with
3116-500: The closure of Stardust International Raceway in 1971, plans were made to build a new road course and drag strip in North Las Vegas by Craig Road Speedway owner Curly Price on city of Las Vegas-owned land. The then-named Las Vegas Speedrome was completed in 1972, with preliminary races being held before in 1971; however, the track fell quickly into disrepair. The track was revived by drag racer Alex Rodriguez and his son for most of
3198-491: The complex costing the city thousands of dollars. Later that month, a group of five businessmen, including Van Norman and Horten, formed Las Vegas Recreation, Inc. in efforts to make a bid on temporary ownership for the track. On February 21, the city's commission unanimously approved the lease, essentially reviving the complex; however, the permanent lease was not guaranteed until the Nevada Supreme Court's case with Price
3280-482: The complex's operating permit. In February 1980, Price lost his appeal, with future bids expected to take place the following year. The next month, Las Vegas Recreation's lease was extended until the end of 1980. However, by November 5, the partnership gave up after "several months of horrible luck", with poor timing systems, lighting, and the amount of effort required to maintain the complex being key issues. The next day, businessmen Terry Ainsworth and Harold Ellis signed
3362-419: The current KSNV-DT . In December 1960, Reynolds exercised a buyout option with Cahlan, and bought the paper. Reynolds died in 1993, and longtime friend Jack Stephens bought his company, renamed it Stephens Media and moved the company's headquarters to Las Vegas. The Review-Journal entered into its first Joint Operating Agreement, or JOA, with the Sun in 1990, which was amended in 2005. In early 2015,
Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Misplaced Pages Continue
3444-575: The drag strip was expanded to four lanes. On August 14, 1970, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that businessman Carl "Curly" Price was aiming to sign a lease for a plot of land near the Nellis Air Force Base from the City of Las Vegas to build a drag strip, a "small" road course, and a proposed oval. The proposal received an endorsement from the Review-Journal , which wrote "We hope Curly can get on this on since [North Las Vegas] badly needs
3526-603: The end of the year, it was recognized as one of the top online papers in the U.S. by the Internet Job Source. The Review-Journal also operated LasVegas.com as a general information site. LVRJ.com was redesigned in 2000 and the site was rebranded as Reviewjournal.com two years later. In 2012, the RJ launched its first apps for iPhone, Android, and iPad. A major online redesign launched in April 2017 with an emphasis on video. The RJ built
3608-408: The existing track. Major changes announced in the press release included changing the banking in the turns from 12 to 20 degrees, increasing capacity to 141,000, a new infield media center, a redesigned garage, and narrowing the racing surface to 50 feet; a 20 feet difference. The track changes were met with mixed reviews at the time; drivers Jeff Burton , Kyle Busch , and Tony Stewart all criticized
3690-451: The forum posting of a Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial for 40 days for noncommercial use harmed the market value of the work. In June 2011, another federal judge ruled that Righthaven had no standing to sue for copyright infringement, on the grounds that the original parties retain the actual copyrights. In August 2011 another case was dismissed by Federal judge Philip Pro , who found that Righthaven had no standing to sue, and in any case
3772-459: The future Las Vegas Raiders football stadium . In the months since, reporters say that stories about Adelson, and particularly about an ongoing lawsuit involving his business dealings in Macau, have been heavily edited by top management. The new ownership triggered numerous departures. On December 23 the paper's editor Mike Hengel stepped down in a "voluntary buyout". Many reporters and editors left
3854-665: The injuries of numerous people and the death of a 15-year-old. The track has held the event annually since. In 2013, the track hosted the World Long Drive Championship . In 2020, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic , the track held a graduation ceremony for Faith Lutheran High School , a private Lutheran school based in Summerlin . Since 2023, the track has hosted a Las Vegas branch of the FoodieLand Night Market,
3936-548: The land further. After Bruton Smith announced his plans to build what would eventually become the Texas Motor Speedway , the Review-Journal reported that chances for a modern racing facility in Las Vegas were all but killed. However, on November 30, Clyne announced plans to build his own $ 65-70 million, 100,000-seat facility near the Las Vegas Speedway Park that would be capable of holding NASCAR Winston Cup Series races, with an opening date scheduled for April 1, 1996. By
4018-400: The new owner was revealed, three reporters at the newspaper received an assignment from corporate management: Spend two weeks monitoring the activity of three Clark County judges. One of the judges was District Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez, who was hearing a long-running wrongful termination lawsuit filed against Adelson and his company, a lawsuit alleging that Adelson's Macao casino, Sands Macao ,
4100-452: The newspaper citing "curtailed editorial freedom, murky business dealings and unethical managers." Longtime columnist John L. Smith resigned after he was told he could no longer write anything about Adelson, a frequent focus of his reporting up until then. Within six months, all three of the reporters who broke the story of Adelson's ownership had left the paper. Las Vegas Review-Journal launched its website as LVRJ.com on Jan. 15, 1997. By
4182-433: The newspaper killed a story about casino mogul Steve Wynn 's sexual harassment of employees. The newspaper reported about the axed story in 2018, after The Wall Street Journal published a story in which dozens of people alleged that they had been victims of sexual misconduct by Wynn. In 2010, the Review-Journal ' s then-owner Stephens Media launched a copyright enforcement company called Righthaven LLC, which began
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#17328591194344264-693: The next day, Clyne also announced the renovations of all tracks within the complex. In January 1995, he officially confirmed plans to build the track along Interstate 15 on a 1,100 acre plot of land, along with a 40-acre industrial park; the original plan Clyne had for the track. However, Winston Cup dates were not guaranteed; NASCAR leadership, including Mike Helton , insisted that though numerous modern facilities were being built, such as ones in Texas and Las Vegas, "the Cup schedule can't grow much more". By May, Clyne and IndyCar Series president Tony George officially announced
4346-449: The next five years was announced by Clyne in early September in order to finish the track. By that same month, Sahara Hotel owner Bill Bennett also joined as part owner of the track. LVMS officially opened to the public on September 13, 1996 for IndyCar practice. Its first race, according to Review-Journal writer John Katsilometes , was "violent", with the race being marred by heavy winds and numerous crashes. In spite of traffic issues,
4428-457: The ownership included "multiple owner/investors, that some are from Las Vegas, and that in face-to-face meetings he has been assured that the group will not meddle in the newspaper’s editorial content.” There were widespread rumors that the primary buyer was Sheldon Adelson , and a week later three Review-Journal reporters confirmed that the purchase had been orchestrated by Adelson's son-in-law Patrick Dumont on Adelson's behalf. A month before
4510-452: The people who ventured with Smith to scout a location, racing promoter Eddie Gossage , Smith initially preferred building a track in Las Vegas. He considered a location adjacent to the Las Vegas Speedway Park; however, he later found out that the parcel of land was owned by Imperial Palace Hotel owner Ralph Engelstad . According to Gossage, the two were friends, and as Engelstad had sought the land first, he agreed with Engelstad to not prospect
4592-624: The primary owner of the Desert Inn and Stardust hotel-casinos. The track was developed ostensibly to attract high rollers to the Stardust hotel. The Stardust Racing Association also owned the property and functioned as event promoter. In 1966 it began hosting the season finale of the Can-Am championship. In 1968 the USAC Championship Car series held a race at Stardust. The drag strip hosted
4674-497: The purchase and to sell off 300 acres of industrial space. He later appointed Chris Powell, a former media relations manager for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company as the track's general manager. In 2000, LVMS officials modified its 3 ⁄ 8 mile (0.60 km) oval and renamed it the "Bullring". In 2006, Powell announced a $ 25-27 million renovation project that aimed to overhaul
4756-604: The race was abandoned due to bad weather conditions, with results being based on qualifying speeds. The track hosted a race for the 2015 season, this time managing to actually run the event. In 2016, the track was scheduled to run the event, but high winds forced the cancellation of the entire event. In 2011, the Electric Daisy Carnival moved its flagship location to the track from Los Angeles following controversies of rampant underage drug use in Los Angeles, which led to
4838-508: The rest of the year at the complex's 1.6 miles (2.6 km) road course. However, by August, the track was displaying issues; the lighting system on the track's road course was reported to malfunction during races. In September, the West Charleston Lions Club of Las Vegas signed a 15-year agreement to run the drag strip. After 1972, almost all major racing, especially drag racing, ceased due to mainly financial issues; though, this
4920-476: The road course with help from the Sports Car Club of America . In March 1988, the city council considered revoking Rodriguez's lease, accusing him of not paying rent and for selling food without proper sales tax permits. Rodriguez Jr. later admitted to it, blaming his father because he both left the United States for two years and was going through a divorce. The city approved terminating the lease; however, he
5002-541: The stockpile of gravel needed in Price's contract. The next month, Price gave scathing comments to the city in an interview with the Review-Journal , reporting a lack of police response with vandalism and high costs and labor to maintain the gravel stockpile. The next year, the termination was finally approved by Clark County District judge Howard Babcock, immediately ordered Price to vacate the land and to pay $ 22,140 for failing to maintain his contract and unpaid rent. However, Price
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#17328591194345084-437: The track and the Price's machinery, and angry residents stealing bleachers; a final decision was set to come on October 1. Although Price was able to pay back at least some of the rent, after a delay that moved the decision to December 16, Price forfeited his lease after failing to stockpile 35,000 cubic yards of gravel. However, he was given another chance. In July 1976, his lease was officially terminated after failing to maintain
5166-403: The track annually. In 2004, despite Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) going bankrupt, the track aimed to still host a race at the track. After a change in ownership, the newly-named Champ Car World Series announced races at the track on July 7, with the race occurring on September 25. Champ Car ran another race in 2005 before refusing to renew for 2006. In 2011, the track was slated to run
5248-483: The track built a new 1 ⁄ 3 mile (0.54 km) oval, using donations of old Caesars Palace Grand Prix barriers to build the track. The oval opened in November of that year. By 1987, with Rodriguez investing over $ 500,000 into the complex, the complex was regarded highly, including receiving honors from the NHRA as one of the best facilities in the United States. That same year, the complex announced plans to repave
5330-418: The track decreased capacity to around 80,000 seats to make way for increased premium seating options. Two years later, the Review-Journal reported another significant decrease in capacity, with the track refusing to state the exact amount of seats that were still remaining; the report came after the track recorded its lowest attendance recorded for a NASCAR Cup Series race at the 2018 South Point 400 . By 2023,
5412-414: The track received renewed attention for television visuals showing empty areas of grandstands at the 2023 South Point 400 . The track holds two NASCAR race weekends each year: the spring Pennzoil 400 and the fall South Point 400 . The track earned rights to host its first NASCAR Cup Series race weekend in the spring of 1998. In 2017, the track earned a second NASCAR Cup Series race weekend after taking
5494-504: The track saw double than what was expected, with a reported 67,132 attending the race. Two months later, the track held its first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. The next year, the track hosted its first NASCAR Busch Series race. In the same year, the facility won rights to host a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race weekend for the 1998 season . In December 1998, Bruton Smith announced plans to buy out LVMS and its complex for around $ 215 million, with Smith stating to renovate amenities with
5576-487: The turns. Different measurements have been used; in 2011, the IndyCar Series utilized a length of 1.544 miles (2.485 km). Within the main track's frontstretch, there is a 1 ⁄ 4 mile (0.40 km) oval that was built in 2006. Within the track's infield, there is a road course complex that was built as part of the track's construction in 1996. The track has also used a "roval" layout during select races. LVMS
5658-436: The year. Just before the end of 1977, the track was temporarily leased out for the first three months of 1978 to car clubs. In February 1978, Bob Van Norman, owner of the Craig Road Speedway, submitted a proposal to take over the complex from the city, offering a proposal of $ 300 a month to lease the complex. However, the proposal was withdrawn just over a week later, claiming that he did not want to be accused of favoritism from
5740-555: Was also directly near Nellis AFB. However, on December 21, the board rejected Horten's plan. The now-named Las Vegas International Speedrome's drag strip held its first races on February 26, 1972, on the 1 ⁄ 4 mile (0.40 km) to host the first day of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Open Drag Championships. By May, the International Motorsports Association scheduled races for
5822-532: Was an auto racing track in present-day Spring Valley , Nevada , United States , in the Las Vegas Valley . It featured a flat, 3.000 mi (4.828 km), 13-turn road course , and a quarter-mile drag strip . Some track maps depicted the road course with 10 numbered turns. Stardust International Raceway was developed in 1965 by the Stardust Racing Association, a Nevada corporation headed by
5904-597: Was connected to the Chinese Triads. In January a set of editorial principles were drawn up and publicized to ensure the newspaper's independence and to deal with possible conflicts of interest involving Adelson's ownership. In February Craig Moon, a veteran of the Gannett organization, was announced as the new publisher and promptly withdrew those principles from publication. He also began to personally review, edit, and sometimes kill stories about an Adelson-promoted proposal for
5986-457: Was disputed by businessmen Ted Wiens and Mike Sellers. Although the track still held small local events before, the track did not see any major racing until May 19, 1974. By August, the financial situation had gotten so dire that local drag racers were pushing their profits to try and revitalize the track. In October, the complex aimed to host bi-monthly drag strip races, hoping to gain profits from frequently occurring local events, along with forming
6068-456: Was dropped from the name in 1949 when Garside left the company and Cahlan struck an agreement with Donald W. Reynolds and his Donrey Media Group . In 1953, the RJ signed on KORK , one of Las Vegas' earliest radio stations. Two years later, it signed on Las Vegas' third television station, KLRJ-TV, in 1955, later changing the calls to KORK-TV. The station was sold in 1979, changing its call letters again first to KVBC, and then, in 2010, to
6150-511: Was placed onto part-time driver Dan Wheldon , who had to start last. On lap 11 of the race, a crash involving 15 cars, including Wheldon, occurred. Wheldon died due to sustaining massive head injuries during the crash. IndyCar cancelled the race in the wake of Wheldon's death. As a result of Wheldon's death, the track and Speedway Motorsports requested a buyout of their contract with IndyCar, cancelling their IndyCar races in 2012. IndyCar later returned to Las Vegas Motor Speedway in January 2022 with
6232-486: Was renamed the "Bullring". A 1 ⁄ 2 mile (0.80 km) clay dirt oval opened in November 1996, hosting a World of Outlaws event. As part of the track complex's initial opening, the complex built a drag strip, which opened in 1972. In 1999, in the aftermath of Smith buying out the track, the track announced a new 1 ⁄ 4 mile (0.40 km) to replace the original strip built in 1972. The new drag strip opened in April 2000, being named "The Strip". In 2017,
6314-513: Was retained to manage the newspaper. $ 140 million was considered a steep price amounting to a 69% gain for New Media Investment Group after owning the newspaper for nine months. The Clark County Review was first printed in 1909. It was renamed as the Las Vegas Review in 1926 when owner Frank Garside, who owned several other Nevada papers, brought in Al Cahlan as a partner. In March 1929,
6396-435: Was settled. By April, Review-Journal writer Mike Henle considered the track revived after "seven years of relative silence", with events scheduled for the next six months. In September, the complex grew to holding concerts. However, the concerts drew criticism from local government and local reporters for excessive violence, drug use, and underage drinking. Criticism grew so much that commissioner Ron Lurie considered revoking
6478-544: Was sold to Richie Clyne, the director of the Imperial Palace Hotel 's (now called The Linq) automobile museum, for $ 1,070,000. Clyne and investor G. Robert Diero stated hopes of completely revamping what they declared as a dangerous and worn-out complex. Along with the purchase, the track complex was renamed to the Las Vegas International Raceway. By the beginning of 1990, the Las Vegas Speedrome gained
6560-409: Was still able to operate the track until December 1990. In addition, the city was now also considering selling off the land to a private operator. The sale was approved on November 17. Rodriguez defended himself, stating the improvements he made to the track; however, the track was still put up for sale on the condition that the buyer must maintain the track for 10 years. In May 1989, the track complex
6642-464: Was still the operator, and a decision to remove him from the position was delayed. In October, Price stated plans of appealing to the Supreme Court of Nevada , which would essentially kill all racing at the track complex for an extended period of time. In November, he confirmed this decision. Later that month, the city of Las Vegas temporarily leased the complex out to Show & Go Ltd. until the end of
6724-569: Was viewed optimistically; the track was projected to bring in over $ 890 million to the Las Vegas economy, with paving of the racing surface scheduled in March. In April, Clyne bought out the Las Vegas Speedway Park from Juberg, placing it directly under the Las Vegas Motor Speedway name. The next month, Engelstad was revealed by Smith to be funding the majority of the project, something that Clyne did not either confirm or deny. Construction saw no major issues throughout its duration; but, further construction for
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