Are Las Vegas and NASCAR Ready For Second Race?
Las Vegas, the town which has always answered the question "Is more better?" with a resounding yes, is debating the possibility of a second annual NASCAR race being held in the city. Next weekend, over 140,000 fans are scheduled to pack into the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the racing circuit's yearly appearance in the city of casinos, enough to make many mull the idea of more Vegas racing.NASCAR, which holds the title as fastest-growing sports league over the last fifteen years, want to control expansion and retain its southern identity, and does not see an immediate increase in racing events in the Western U.S. However, both fans of NASCAR living in the West and drivers from California and other western states foresee a need for more races other than the six currently held in their area of the country.
Las Vegas would seem to be a logical choice, given the city's fanatical support for the existing race, as well as the town's capacity for hosting large crowds and major events. NASCAR, which prefers to race on tracks owned by its subsidiary, International Speedway Corporation, is in preliminary talks to build tracks in Seattle and Denver; but, while those plans are far away, one of the current races out West, such as the second race at Phoenix, could be moved to Vegas. This race is especially valuable as it comprises one of the ten races in the Chase for the Cup, NASCAR's championship.
While some Vegas executives seem indifferent to the idea of a second NASCAR race, claiming race week does not necessarily translate to casino revenues spiking, Vegas has always been a city of spectacle, and NASCAR racing undeniably fits that bill. Just as Las Vegas must continue to host major prize fights, and foster relations with major sports leagues so as to host events such as the NBA All-Star Game, so too should the town solidify and increase its exposure with NASCAR at every opportunity.
