Las_Vegas_Motor_Speedway

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 1.5 miles (2.4 km) tri-oval intermediate speedway in North 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. The track is served by the nearby Interstate 15 and Las Vegas Boulevard.
The track has a capacity of approximately 80,000 as of 2023, down from its peak of over 140,000 in the 2000s. The track's complex features numerous adjacent tracks, including a 3⁄8 mile (0.60 km) oval named The Bullring, a 1⁄2 mile (0.80 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 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 the 1980s. During Rodriguez's tenure, a 3⁄8 mile (0.60 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 for just over $1 million. By the mid-1990s, Clyne, Imperial Palace owner Ralph Engelstad, and Sahara Hotel owner Bill Bennett announced plans to build a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) oval on the track's complex, which was completed in 1996. In 1998, SMI and its founder Bruton Smith bought the complex.