NASCAR fans: Heed the time change or miss the action

The best advice for fans planning to attend NASCAR races this weekend: Be sure to turn your clocks forward Saturday night, or you might find yourself missing a good chunk of Sunday's race.

It's the first time race weekend has coincided with the switch to daylight saving time. So, remembering to "spring forward" has replaced traffic jams as the big worry for fans wanting to make sure they make the green flag for the big race.

"Daylight savings could cause some challenges for those who have had too much fun along the Las Vegas Strip," said Chris Powell, president of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "Traffic for NASCAR Weekend has sort of become a nonissue. It is still challenging, but it's not the story it used to be."

The story used to be ugly. Over the years, spectators told tales of Interstate 15 gridlock and 20-mile drives that took three hours. Frustrated out-of-state fans vowed to scratch Las Vegas from their annual NASCAR travel plans.

But track and transportation officials worked hard to eliminate those traffic nightmares. Improvements to Interstate 215 and the widening of Interstate 15 from the Spaghetti Bowl to Craig Road helped significantly.

Getting fans to and from the speedway is crucial to the success of the circuit's stop in Las Vegas. NASCAR Weekend pumps nearly $200 million into the local economy, with about 70 percent of the spectators flying or driving in from other states.

"We at the speedway are very proud of the role we play in the community," Powell said.

The speedway and local government transportation divisions have done their best to make traffic flow smoothly into and out of the raceway. But the speedway is the largest sports venue west of Texas, and limited ingress and egress remains a challenge. That means fans must make it all work comfortably.

Powell said he expects 100,000 fans on Saturday for the Nationwide race and 150,00 Sunday for the main event. He urged spectators to arrive early.

On Saturday, the gates open at 9 a.m., and the Sam's Town 300 starts at 2 p.m. On Sunday, the gates open at 7 a.m., and the Kobalt Tools 400 starts at noon.

Gates open at 10 a.m. today for practice and qualifying .

Spectators driving from the east side of the valley should use Las Vegas Boulevard, which will have five open northbound lanes on the way in and five southbound lanes on the way out.

Visitors or residents coming from the west side are asked to use Interstate 215, which feeds into Interstate 15 just south of the raceway.

Those coming from the south or the Strip should take Interstate 15. Upon exiting the freeway, three offramp lanes will be available. Motorists are urged to stay in the left or center lane unless they are headed for lots 1 through 5; for lots 1 through 5, stay in the right lane.

Here's a tip: The yellow lot, No. 9, and the brown lot, No. 3, clear the fastest following the race.

Here is another tip: Do not park on Hollywood Boulevard south of the speedway. Fans have chosen to park along the street and cut through the facility's industrial area in the past. Powell said that has created safety hazards for those walking to the raceway and headaches for motorists who use Hollywood.

"We don't like to use the word 'tow'; we prefer the word 'relocate,' " Powell said.

Translation: Your vehicle will be towed, and it will cost between $600 and $700 to free it.

When leaving the raceway, traffic exiting from entrances 1 through 7 will be directed south on Las Vegas Boulevard. Entrances 8 and 9 will be directed north on Las Vegas Boulevard for at least an hour after the race.

Drivers headed north on the freeway are asked not to attempt to enter Interstate 15 north from Speedway Boulevard. Instead, take the freeway south for a mile to Interstate 215, and then turn around at Range Road.

Up-to-the-minute traffic information is available on smartphones from the speedway's website at lvms.com. Motorists can retrieve photos of traffic conditions on Interstate 15 at http://bugatti.nvfast.org/CCTVSnapshot WallMobile.aspx.

Of course there are alternative modes of transportation available.

Coach America will take fans to and from the speedway from hotels on the Strip and downtown Las Vegas. Tickets can be bought in the lobby of each property serviced by the shuttle. Those include the Golden Nugget, the Tropicana, Treasure Island, the Riviera and the Las Vegas Hilton.

Round-trip shuttle ticket prices are $35 on Friday and Saturday, $45 on Sunday and $65 for a three-day pass.

You want your shuttle to fly? Fine. Maverick Helicopters, located on the south end of the Strip, offers round-trip flights to the Speedway for $500 per person.

However you get to the race, be sure to get there on time. Before hitting the sack Saturday, turn the clock forward an hour.

Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904.