NASCAR released its 2024 schedule, and a lot of interesting changes were made to the 36-race season. These include ideas like removing the dirt race at Bristol and putting the Watkins Glen road course in the playoffs. One thing that didn’t change, however, is Las Vegas Motor Speedway retaining its two yearly races.
NASCAR heads back to Las Vegas in March 2024 for its annual spring race. This takes place on March 3, and a playoff spot will be up for grabs. The series returns to Sin City on October 20 for their annual round of eight playoff opener.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway deserves better billing
Now, it’s great that Las Vegas keeps its two yearly NASCAR weekends and spot in the playoffs. The problem is that they don’t seem to capitalize on the Las Vegas theme. The mile-and-a-half raceway is not something you shove in the third round of a packed playoff schedule.
What about an earlier spot as the opener to the NASCAR playoffs? The move would, unfortunately, replace Atlanta Motor Speedway, which is a bit of a letdown because it’s now a Super Speedway. Still, Las Vegas is the better opener.
What makes Las Vegas Motor Speedway so great
Mile-and-a-half speedways are becoming more intense thanks to the Next Gen car. There is literally no better place to risk it all than Las Vegas.
The restarts alone at Las Vegas Motor Speedway could be the difference between making the playoffs and ending up in the wall. A theme of risk versus reward exists here that NASCAR needs to capitalize on.
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Why Las Vegas should be the final race of The NASCAR season
Don’t you think Las Vegas should be the first race? Just imagine closing the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It would be a major change from the short-track racing at ISM Speedway. The idea of seeing the four championship playoff drivers fan out four wide while battling for position on restarts is enough to make this a must-see.
Or maybe NASCAR should go a step further.
What about a Las Vegas street race to end the season?
A Vegas street race would be a nice gimmick and a first-time-ever kind of thing. The NASCAR purists aren’t going to enjoy it, though. It would almost be like going to Daytona, Talladega, or Atlanta and deciding your champion through pack racing.
In the end, Las Vegas would do great as an opening to the round of eight or the NASCAR playoffs. The theme is there, and the racing is some of the most intense on the circuit. NASCAR is running out of reasons not to try this at least once.
Next: Last week in Las Vegas sports news October 2 to October 8
