Las Vegas NowSecond NASCAR Race in Las Vegas?

Second NASCAR Race in Las Vegas?

The sale of a New Hampshire race track, announced Friday in Texas, could have a direct effect on the future of NASCAR racing in Las Vegas.

For sure nothing will happen until at least 2009, because the 2008 schedule is already in place. But the Nov. 2 sale of the New Hampshire Speedway to Bruton Smith could help pave the way for a second NASCAR race landing in Las Vegas.

Bruton Smith owns the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Since 1998, he's always wanted a second date. Now, after laying down $340 million to buy the New Hampshire Speedway, which has two dates, Smith has the power.

Smith won't and really can't comment right now. The sale won't close until the first quarter, so a second date won't magically appear. But Las Vegas is his only track without two dates.

Over the years, spending millions, he's green-flagged every project at the Speedway but hasn't got the checkered flag go ahead just yet.

NASCAR's chairman, Brian France released a statement saying, "Under NASCAR's realignment plan, we have worked with track owner to relocate race dates to meet the needs of our growing national fan base. Ultimately, any change must meet NASCAR's objectives and serve our fans."

Since sponsors and fans drive this sport, betting on this city's chances of landing another date seems automatic. Pat Christenson heads Las Vegas Events and said they'd be willing to sponsor that second race, which has an economic impact of close to $200 million.

Las Vegas Speedway General Manager Chris Powell was at Friday's announcement in Texas and says he thinks there's more of an opening now then there has ever been for adding that second date.

The Las Vegas race has sold out six straight times.

E-mail your comments to Sports Director Chris Maathuis.