NASCAR weekend provides welcome boost to rebounding bakery

NASCAR weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway helped jump-start business for Anthony and Lynn Madonia, owners of Great Buns Bakery in Las Vegas.

The family-owned business, established in 1982, was destroyed by fire two years ago. The owners wanted to retain key personnel, paying the salaries of 35 employees while rebuilding the 25,000-square-foot bakery on east Tropicana Avenue. Last year they got an order for 500 dozen hinge-sliced dinner rolls from the food and beverage contractor at the speedway.

"We kept our name out there and kept some people employed," said Anthony Madonia Jr., vice president and general manager of the bakery. "Today, we employ 55 people and 11 outside distributors."

Great Buns Bakery is among many local businesses that benefit from the nearly $200 million economic impact of the NASCAR race, Las Vegas Motor Speedway spokesman John Bisci said. Others include Vegas Propane, FreshPoint Las Vegas (produce), Granello Bakery, Sysco wholesale food distributor, Labor Ready of Las Vegas, Pack Rat storage and Ahern Equipment Rentals.