[BringBackWilkesboro]

"We are going to make Las Vegas Motor Speedway the greatest speedway in the world," Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith said.

NASCAR.COM - Las Vegas track slated for stylistic infield facelift - Jan 30, 2006

I dont mean to overload everybody with Bruton smith this morning, but I think the LVMS project is pretty interesting, even if it is just another one of Smith's money making schemes.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

"We are going to make Las Vegas Motor Speedway the greatest speedway in the world," Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith said.

NASCAR.COM - Las Vegas track slated for stylistic infield facelift - Jan 30, 2006

I dont mean to overload everybody with Bruton smith this morning, but I think the LVMS project is pretty interesting, even if it is just another one of Smith's money making schemes.

Interesting article, Wilks. I have a question...Do you remember just when Bruton got involved with LVMS? I seem to remember that he wasn't part of the original group. I believe that the speedway was originally financed and started by a Vegas investor, Carroll Shelby, former USAC driver Mel Larson and one other former racer whose name slips my mind. I think I remember that Bruton didn't get involved until the track was almost done.

I also remember that there was to be a wedding chapel and a theme park at the track site also but the last time I was in Vegas I saw neither.

Can you refresh my memory, or am I imagining things?

I also read in the linked article that they plan on a short track in front of the main grandstand, ala Charlotte? They state that they plan on running legends, and bandaleros there? Do you know, by any chance, if Bruton, or a close associate, has their fingers in the legends and bandalero car mfg. end of things? It seems that anytime mention is made of some SMI track is mentioned, these two types of racing come up.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Interesting article, Wilks. I have a question...Do you remember just when Bruton got involved with LVMS? I seem to remember that he wasn't part of the original group. I believe that the speedway was originally financed and started by a Vegas investor, Carroll Shelby, former USAC driver Mel Larson and one other former racer whose name slips my mind. I think I remember that Bruton didn't get involved until the track was almost done.

I also remember that there was to be a wedding chapel and a theme park at the track site also but the last time I was in Vegas I saw neither.

Can you refresh my memory, or am I imagining things?

I also read in the linked article that they plan on a short track in front of the main grandstand, ala Charlotte? They state that they plan on running legends, and bandaleros there? Do you know, by any chance, if Bruton, or a close associate, has their fingers in the legends and bandalero car mfg. end of things? It seems that anytime mention is made of some SMI track is mentioned, these two types of racing come up.

I'm not sure of the other racer you are looking for, but you are correct about Bruton's involvment. He and SMI didn't buy the track until it was finished in '98 and immediately added 22,000 seats to the Dale Earnhardt tower. I dont know of any Ledgend or Bandalero connection with SMI either. Maybe Bruton sees some money in those two industries, it wouldn't suprise me.

Also, here is a link to the construction gallery on LVMS the website for a better idea of what exactly will be done. Las Vegas Motor Speedway

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

I'm not sure of the other racer you are looking for, but you are correct about Bruton's involvment. He and SMI didn't buy the track until it was finished in '98 and immediately added 22,000 seats to the Dale Earnhardt tower. I dont know of any Ledgend or Bandalero connection with SMI either. Maybe Bruton sees some money in those two industries, it wouldn't suprise me.

Also, here is a link to the construction gallery on LVMS the website for a better idea of what exactly will be done. Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Thanks, Wilks. I couldn't remember if I was imagining the track's history or not. I'm racking by brain for the other guy's name. The Vegas investor was a guy who had money in Stratosphere, I believe and the driver's name was Donahue (Not Mark) or something like that, Damn. It really sucks to get old and start forgetting things.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Thanks, Wilks. I couldn't remember if I was imagining the track's history or not. I'm racking by brain for the other guy's name. The Vegas investor was a guy who had money in Stratosphere, I believe and the driver's name was Donahue (Not Mark) or something like that, Damn. It really sucks to get old and start forgetting things.

Could it be David Donahue?

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

"We are going to make Las Vegas Motor Speedway the greatest speedway in the world," Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith said.

NASCAR.COM - Las Vegas track slated for stylistic infield facelift - Jan 30, 2006

I dont mean to overload everybody with Bruton smith this morning, but I think the LVMS project is pretty interesting, even if it is just another one of Smith's money making schemes.

weather it is to make money or not it is good to update the track.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by trollmc08

weather it is to make money or not it is good to update the track.

At least one good thing about Bruton is he does show that he cares about the fans. Modernization has to happen, so if you're gonna do it, this would be the way.

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

At least one good thing about Bruton is he does show that he cares about the fans. Modernization has to happen, so if you're gonna do it, this would be the way.

yea and any thing for the fans right now is an improvement.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

At least one good thing about Bruton is he does show that he cares about the fans. Modernization has to happen, so if you're gonna do it, this would be the way.

Since around 1988, or so, there has been many a discussion as to whether NASCAR would be better if Bruton was running it and not the Family France. Now THERE would be an interesting discussion for the stock car racing fan to become engrossed in.

[LSC9901]

With his finger and purse strings stuck in 7 different tracks maybe Smith is the one to make a break away league of stock car (type) racing . Something that would rival days gone by.