Bruton Smith’s speedway corporation completed this impressive facility in 1996 to reflect the opulence of the nearby gambling mecca. Dubbed “The Race Track for the Next Century” or “Diamond in the Desert,” Las Vegas Speedway features every conceivable type of track, from the 12 degree banked oval to a BMX course. The oval seats 102,000 spectators, and is fully floodlit for night races. The 2.5-mile road course has hosted American Le Mans Series races, albeit without the crowds attracted to NASCAR’s now bi-annual visit. It was also venue for the tragic final round of the 2011 IndyCar Series when Dan Wheldon was killed in a shocking multi-car accident.
