by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

Well, gang, last weekend was without any question a big one for the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Beginning Friday right through to Sunday everything appeared to go very smooth. And the crowds. Wow! It was fantastic.

Friday during qualifying for the NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers and the NASCAR Busch drivers a nice crowd of perhaps 15,000 was in the grandstand. Saturday Sam's Town 300 Busch race, which last year attracted maybe 75,000 to 85,000 in the grandstands, had at least 105,000 watching the event that was also nationally televised. But the biggie on Sunday, the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 filled every seat and was selling Standing-Room-Only tickets. It's estimated that a total of between 156,000 and 165,000 paid to watch the event (historic crowd) with another "jillion" watching on national television.

Mark Martin, one of this writers personal favorites, has announced his retirement after this seasons 36 point races. Well, the man did it on Saturday winning the Busch race, but really didn't capture the one he wanted Sunday - having major engine problems that relegated him to the rear of the pack, finishing 30th.

Kurt Busch, the defending NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion and our little village's hometown hero (if you follow auto racing) did himself proud, as did little brother Kyle. Kurt led the race a few times in the Ford, fell way back with a penalty and worked his way back to the front pack to finish third. The winner was Jimmie Johnson (I sure like that last name folks) in a Chevrolet, followed by teammate Kyle (little brother). Jeff Gordon, another teammate of Johnson and Busch, finished fourth. That gave Hendricks Motor Sports three of the top four finishers.

How does the above stack up financially. Here are some facts. Johnson ($428,066), Kyle ($244,800) and Gordon ($197,911) total $870,777 for the Hendricks checkbook. The Busch family pot also got a hefty boost with Kurt's $249,125 check, adding another $493,925 to their savings account. Of course you realize drivers do not get to keep all that winning money. Each driver is on a very nice salary and receives a percentage of what they win - and that varies from driver to driver.

Another driver who has announced his retirement after the season is Rusty Wallace. Unfortunately, like Martin, he was not in the running most of the day finishing 12th for a payday of $129,283. You wonder why these guys (drivers) compete week-after-week and strive to make the field in qualifying? Look at what the last place (43rd) driver earned - Brian Vickers $83,166. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who caused the wreck on lap 12 finished 42nd and got a check for $122,433.

Richard Petty will get another honor bestowed on him by the LVMS. Bruton Smith (he owns the speedway along with a few other speedways) announced that a new terrace (like the Earnhardt Terrace in turn three) will be constructed in turn one and will seat an additional 14,000. It will be named after Richard. With the addition of 14,000 more seats that means the total paid next year will hit officially 170,000 with additional SRO tickets you could be talking about 180,000 attending a single event on a Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas. And that does not count the motor home income - those homes on wheels you see in the infield, the parking lot and on Gucci Row (overlooking the backstretch) all pay a premium to park. Some get a limited number of general admission tickets (infield and Gucci) while others purchase what they need. It's a good deal and saves a lot of hassle coming and going over the weekend. Check it out if you have a motor home and some friends that would chip in.

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: The United States Air Force Thunderbirds saluted the speedway with a flyover following the National Anthem. Those are absolutely the most beautiful jets anywhere and were truly appreciated by the crowd...

Well, gang, that's about it for another week. I'm outa here!

CONTINUE ON TO...:
>It's The Norm Article Archives
>Las Vegas News - "Heard Around Town"
>Las Vegas Leisure Guide