With The Strip at Las Vegas set to become the first sports venue in Nevada to host fans since the Covid-19 shutdown, speedway officials welcomed a few avid race fans and media to walk through all of the pre-event protocols.
Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick and several race fans took part in a “Journey of the Fan” event, which highlighted social distancing protocols, temperature checks, cashless purchases and grandstand seating areas in place for this weekend’s Dodge NHRA Finals presented by Pennzoil.
“This is really exciting, it’s a beautiful weekend we have ahead of us to have fans back in the stands,” Kirkpatrick said. “It’s been a long time since people have been able to come out, and we think that we can start small and build on that. There is no better person to do it right than Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We have all the proper protocols in place, and I look forward to them setting the benchmark.”
“We understand the responsibility that comes with being the first sports event with fans in our state since the pandemic began,” said LVMS President Chris Powell. “We believe we have a solid plan in place to have a great event that also is safe for the race fans, employees and competitors.”
During the event, fans were taken through a simulated race day check-in with electronic ticket scanning, temperature checks and a simulated souvenir purchase before being shown to their socially-distanced seats.
“This is important to make the community feel safe again, and to show the public that we can take precautions and still live our daily lives,” said race fan Vanessa Roberts, who took part in the journey with her husband and two children. “I think it’s very crucial for this event to happen so that the community can feel safe, and return to their daily activities.”
Sara Jaramillo attends every NASCAR and NHRA event at LVMS with her family and also took part in the tour.
“I think the safety guidelines that they set up have been done very well,” Jaramillo said. “I like the fact that everywhere you go they have provided hand sanitizer, and they are taking our temperature when we enter. I’m really looking forward to this weekend and seeing the extra steps the speedway has taken has added to that excitement.”
There are no tickets remaining for this weekend’s event, which begins with sportsman qualifying on Friday. Pro qualifying starts Saturday at noon and final eliminations are set for Sunday at 10 a.m.
