USA Today via Reuters
Sep 26, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) leads driver Kyle Larson (5) during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 26, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) leads driver Kyle Larson (5) during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway outside of the ‘Sin City’ is a regular fixture on the NASCAR calendar. But according to recent developments, Las Vegas could very well host another star-studded motorsports race in Nevada.
And no, before there are talks of a second Las Vegas stock car race, this isn’t where it’s at. It’s about Formula 1 having a third United States Grand Prix in its bid to capture more and more American audiences.
The third US GP could be held in the city of Las Vegas itself, with the track being incorporated into the famous Strip and around the Bellagio Casino.
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.@F1 and entities in Las @Vegas are advancing closer to a deal to bring a night race to The Strip, per sources, and an official announcement could be made in the first half of this year.
➖ F1 wants to run the race as soon as next year, though any delays could delay it till '24. pic.twitter.com/vu6JmwWzXB
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) January 28, 2022
However, it should be pointed out that should F1 make it to Vegas, it wouldn’t be a first. Because between 1981 and the Orwellian year of 1984, there was a Caesar’s Palace Grand Prix.
Nevertheless, the news, or rather the potential news of a race in Las Vegas resulted in quite a response from the stock car faithful.
Fans react to a possible Las Vegas F1 street circuit
And NASCAR and Steve Phelps are getting really nervous
— Mark (@Mark11242003) January 28, 2022
Cmon they’re in competition and most drivers are saying that F1 is doing smt right and NASCAR is just stuck. The whole F1 weekend experience is superior to NASCAR the social media, especially YT is superior to NASCAR and not to forget the broadcast especially FOX
— Mark (@Mark11242003) January 28, 2022
NASCAR execs shaking in they boots
— BRING BACK RACEVIEW (@timclark6996) January 28, 2022
You can't make a country care about F1 as well as NASCAR and IndyCar no matter how many races you put there. And it's absolutely ridiculous to even try.
— Gryph 🟠🌤️ (@MxG84) January 28, 2022
— LAT (@letsgomtnrs) January 28, 2022
Could we see a NASCAR race in Europe?
The key to answering this question lies in the success of the upcoming Busch Clash at the Coliseum. The LA Coliseum, a historic venue, could never have been imagined as a venue for stock car racing in the past.
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Now, the main objective of putting a NASCAR race at such a venue was to attract a younger generation of the audience to the sport. But an understated objective was also to see if venues such as the Coliseum can be turned into temporary race tracks across the world.
via Reuters
FILE PHOTO: A digital rendering of the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, which will be held in Los Angeles in February, is seen in this handout picture obtained on November 30, 2021. Courtesy of iRacing/Handout via REUTERS
So after meticulous planning and swift execution, a $1 million dollar disposable track has been built at the Coliseum. And if all goes well, the Clash at the Coliseum will kick start a new era in NASCAR.
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But in the long run, this Coliseum event could also take stock cars east of the Atlantic ocean, which could then start a whole new era in a sport that is in need of a new audience but is limited by the geographical boundaries.
