Las Vegas Motor Speedway

North of the Las Vegas Strip, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is not one track but a large motorsport campus where different kinds of racing share a desert setting. The venue opened in 1996 and covers roughly 1,200 acres. Its best-known course is a 1.5-mile tri-oval used for NASCAR, with banked turns that shape the speed and sightlines from the grandstands. For visitors, the useful first distinction is between attending a scheduled race, booking a track tour and simply expecting to walk onto a working facility: each involves different hours, access and availability.

A modern oval with a multi-track campus

The main oval’s three-corner layout, 20-degree banking in the turns and long straightaways make it a recognisable stop on the NASCAR circuit. Las Vegas’s position within a major travel destination has helped the speedway build event weekends that combine racing with fan activities. The facility’s own overview also identifies an inside road course, driving experiences and a large media centre. These details matter because “Las Vegas Motor Speedway” refers to an entire venue, not a single grandstand or a race that takes place every weekend.

Beyond the main oval, the campus includes other racing surfaces and uses. The track-tour information describes nine additional tracks, including an NHRA-sanctioned four-lane quarter-mile drag strip and a dirt oval used for events such as World of Outlaws racing. The Bullring is another separate short oval with its own local and touring series dates. These areas do not necessarily operate at the same time or admit the same spectators. A particular race may use only one part of the campus, so read the event page and map before choosing a ticket or planning where to park.

What happens on a track tour

For a non-race day, the speedway offers a guided tour by special-access shuttle bus. The published route can include a ride along the banked oval, the infield, luxury suites, the Neon Garage, inspection bays and victory lane, followed by time at the official Speedway World shop. The venue lists regular tour hours as Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The standard price is $20 per person; the posted reduced rate is $15 for visitors over 55, military personnel, Nevada residents and children 12 and under, while children three and under are free.

Those figures are a guide, not a guarantee that a tour is running on the day you arrive. Reservations are recommended, and the speedway asks visitors to call 702-632-8260 to check availability. Tours do not operate during major events; access to each track depends on its use, and tours can change or be cancelled without notice. If the tour is a priority, confirm directly before travelling and do not assume that a race ticket automatically includes the behind-the-scenes experience. Group visits may be available, but arrangements should also be checked with the venue.

Racing weekends and the live calendar

NASCAR weekends bring the largest crowds and a fuller program than the headline race alone. The official Oct. 2–4, 2026 schedule, checked on Oct. 3, listed support events at the Bullring, a fan zone, hauler activities, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race and Sunday’s South Point 400 Cup race. Several areas required specific passes, and gate times differed by day. Because that weekend will have passed by the time this guide is scheduled to appear on Oct. 15, use it as a dated example of how the venue structures a major event—not as an upcoming itinerary.

The speedway’s calendar also lists drag racing, short-track events, driving experiences and seasonal attractions. For instance, the site’s schedule checked on Oct. 3 showed the Mopar NHRA Las Vegas Nationals for Oct. 30–Nov. 1 and the Glittering Lights drive-through event beginning Nov. 6. Event dates and formats can change. Before buying tickets, confirm the organizer, the precise venue within the campus, entry times, parking instructions and any age or pass requirements. A listing on the homepage is a useful starting point, but the dedicated event page is the better source for final details.

Getting there and moving around

The speedway lists its address as 7000 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas, Nevada 89115, about ten miles north of downtown. Its directions page routes drivers from Interstate 15 to Exit 54 at Speedway Boulevard and advises event guests to arrive early because traffic can be heavy. Special parking passes may have their own approach instructions, so follow the wording printed with your pass rather than relying only on general directions. The venue has a facility map, which helps distinguish the oval, drag strip, Bullring, parking and event entrances across the large property.

Plan your return as carefully as your arrival. Major events can create long queues as thousands of guests leave at once, and the best route may differ from the route into the property. Check the venue’s current parking and traffic notices, keep your ticket or pass details available and agree on a meeting point if your group separates. Do not assume local public transport will take you to every gate; check current transit options independently. The speedway sits outside the central resort district, so travel time depends on the day, event traffic and where in Las Vegas you are staying.

How to make the visit worthwhile

Racing fans may want to choose one event and spend time understanding its particular course, rather than trying to cover the full campus. A NASCAR weekend offers a different view of the main oval from a tour; a drag-racing meet centres on the strip; local short-track events use their own schedule and atmosphere. Arrive early enough to orient yourself, read the day’s program and leave room for food, exhibits or fan activities that are actually listed for that date. The venue’s multiple surfaces make it especially important to know which ticket grants access to which area.

For a quieter visit, the track tour is the clearest public-facing option, but its hours and access remain dependent on the speedway’s calendar. The most reliable plan is simple: choose a dated event or tour, check the official page shortly before departure, confirm price and availability by phone when needed, and follow the posted route and safety rules. That preparation helps visitors see how Las Vegas built a year-round motorsport destination without mistaking a large working complex for a daily-open museum.