Speedway gears up for races, slightly alters traffic patterns

Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials are gearing up for 130,000 visitors for the Kobalt Tools 400 on March 10.

As always, getting that many people into one place and out again will be a challenge.

Spectators driving from the east side of the valley or from the south can use Interstate 15 and exit at the speedway or at Craig Road and go to Las Vegas Boulevard. Both entrance routes will be busy.

Fans coming from the west are asked to use Interstate 215, which feeds into I-15 just south of the raceway.

Exiting traffic will be funneled onto either the interstate or the boulevard, as in past years.

Speedway President Chris Powell said there will be one change to how vehicles exit the area, however.

Officials are going to limit the number of cars they send north on Las Vegas Boulevard, where they would drive a couple miles until they could enter Interstate 15 at the Apex entrance.

Instead, Powell said they would send exiting vehicles south.

Fans who don’t want to drive to the race have options, whether it be taxicabs, shuttles or even a helicopter.

Tour Coach Las Vegas is offering special NASCAR weekend race transportation packages.

They run $65 for the whole weekend or $45 for March 10 only. They will run from the Tropicana, Treasure Island, Riviera and Main Street Station.

Maverick Helicopters is offering what it calls luxury helicopter transfers for $500.

The price includes a ride to the track and pickup after the race.