Las Vegas Motor Speedway yesterday officially became the home of a second yearly NASCAR weekend beginning in fall '18, and the SMI-owned track will become the "only venue" in the U.S. to have "weekend triple-headers of the three national divisions in both appearances," according to Richard Velotta of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) BOD "unanimously approved a seven-year sponsorship and marketing agreement," plus $500,000 a year to "market both the spring and fall events, beginning Jan. 1." The contract "carries an option for three additional years." NASCAR officials will "adjust schedules" to bring the Camping World Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Monster Energy Cup Series to LVMS twice a year. SMI President & CEO Marcus Smith said that the fall weekend in Las Vegas would involve "moving existing Truck Series" and Cup Series races from New Hampshire Motor Speedway and an Xfinity Series race currently staged at Kentucky Speedway in late September to LVMS (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 3/9). SiriusXM's Dave Moody said moving the race to LVMS "has nothing really to do with racing," as the action "has been great at New Hampshire." Moody said, "The bottom line on all of this is the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority has pledged $2 million per race in sponsorship, and another half a million dollars a year in marketing funds. Over what could be a 10-year run of the contract, we are talking $25.5 million in revenue for Speedway Motorsports Incorporated. SMI is a publicly held company, and people like Bruton and Marcus Smith are way too smart to wave off $25.5 million of free money” (“NASCAR Race Hub,” FS1, 3/8). ESPN's Bob Pockrass noted SMI can "still sell naming rights to races, but 'Las Vegas' must be in the name and logo of the events" (ESPN.com, 3/8).
ROLLING THE DICE: NBCSN's Dale Jarrett said if one track "deserves a second date," it is Vegas, as the city is a "destination for so many people." Jarrett: "They have supported everything that NASCAR has done since the time that this series started there, so they've done a lot of really good things. I really believe this is a good move” (“NASCAR America,” NBCSN, 3/8). Driver Brad Keselowski said, "When I think of Las Vegas, I think of the fan attendance. It’s one of the highest attended races we have, and the fans have spoken. This is a track they want to go to, this is a city that embraces motorsports. We have to go where we are wanted. Vegas wants us.” Fox' Larry McReynolds said, "I get nervous when they start talking about a second date at a racetrack, because it has not been good for some venues. In fact, some went from one, two, and back to one, and been much more successful. But if anybody can make it work, Las Vegas Motor Speedway can” ("NASCAR Race Hub," FS1, 3/8).
GRANITE FALLS: In New Hampshire, Ray Duckler in a front-page piece notes after an initial "lengthy stretch selling out its two events in July and September," NHMS attendance in recent years "began to tumble." The venue "hasn’t sold out an event over the past few years -- likely a reason NASCAR opted for the switch to Sin City" (CONCORD MONITOR, 3/9). Also in New Hampshire, Kevin Landrigan in a front-page piece notes NHMS "experienced a downturn in ticket sales over the past few years, and it also faced other challenges." Neither of this year’s two races "has a title sponsor yet, and its race last July had no title sponsor." Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Tim Sink said that the state has been "fighting attempts over the last decade" to take one of NHMS' races. Sink: "We are competing with things that aren’t necessarily dollar-driven as well” (New Hampshire UNION LEADER, 3/9). In Boston, Michael Vega writes NHMS' "bucolic setting in the Laconia lakes region could not compete with the glitz and glam of The Vegas Strip" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/9).
THE RIGHT CALL: USA TODAY's Brant James notes the race swap "makes sense for SMI and NASCAR." NHMS "losing its second, fall playoff date has become the most recent worst-kept secret in the sport after tepid attendance and drivers’ displeasure with the quality of racing on the one-mile track have been duly noted." Bruton Smith also has "wanted to add lights to the venue, but has gotten pushback from the people who live nearby." James: "Adding a sixth 1.5-mile track to the 10-race playoffs may not be palatable, but if it creates racing suitable to generate better television numbers, the move is worthwhile for SMI and the sport" (USA TODAY, 3/9). FOXSPORTS.com's Tom Jensen wrote LVMS is "one of the nicest tracks in all of NASCAR, with its very cool Neon Garage and a host of amenities." Jensen: "Let’s be honest here, there’s a lot more to do in Las Vegas than there is in New Hampshire" (FOXSPORTS.com, 3/8).
