Go See Racers, Las Vegas Sun, Sept. 13, 1996

Go see racers? Lisa Sciortino Friday, Sept. 13, 1996 | 11:59 a.m. Calling all race fans! These days, that could mean you, your blue-haired grandmother, your Wall Street magnate son or your 6-year-old niece, given the growing number and scope of fans that auto racing has attracted in recent years. Used to be that blue-collar men with penchants for fast cars, fast women and cold beer comprised most of the crowds at race tracks around the country. But no more. From celebrities to housewives, corporate moguls to kids, the sport's newfangled following has even surprised industry professionals. The same type of turnout is anticipated at the opening of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, where the inaugural crowd is expected to top out at around 35,000 spectators. "It's gonna be a really broad slice of humanity," says Speedway publicist Jon Bisci. He's confident, however, that the track will eventually attract a solid, star-studded following, similar to that found at the Long Beach Grand Prix. "The town is always filled with celebrities, and many celebrities are attracted to motor racing," Bisci says. That's something Nancy Medico knows all too well. The Las Vegas travel agent also works as lead timer for the Newman-Haas IndyCar racing team that's co-owned by actor Paul Newman. Racing icon Michael Andretti is in the driver's seat. Medico has been involved in racing -- both as a fan and working in the pits -- for 25 years. Part of the reason for the change in fan base, she guesses, "has to do with the thrill of knowing there is an eminent danger of (the drivers) being hurt or killed. It's something that draws people." "I think it's an addiction kind of thing. Once you go there and you feel the speed," it's easy to get hooked. On the other hand, "You get some people who just come out and party. They couldn't tell you who Michael Andretti was from Joe Blow in the stands." In any case, Medico says, "It's a good, clean, wholesome, healthy sport." Credit that squeaky clean image to the underinflated egos most of the race car drivers maintain. It's a welcome change from those of athletes in other sports, says Bisci, who previously toured the racing circuit as publicist for NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine. "We don't have players strikes. We don't have $40 million drivers who show up when they feel like it and then treat the fans like dirt," he says. "The fans can still get close to the drivers. You can still go into the pits and talk to the drivers and get autographs and tell him what you thought of his performance." That's what hooked KTNV Channel 13 sportscaster Ron Futrell on the sport. He's been an avid fan since attending the Indy 500 two years ago, and looks forward to covering racing here. "It's a lifetime dream come true," he says. "After years of dealing with the egos of boxers, of football players, to see auto racers who seem to be unaffected by their fame ..." It's refreshing. "I think the fans have become frustrated with the egos of athletes in other sports and they see NASCAR racers as good ol' boys from the South. That image is still there and I think it fits for now." Count Futrell in. He has recently taken up racing himself, and climbs behind the wheel of Legends cars (small scale replicas of actual race cars that run on motorcycle engines) on weekends at Las Vegas Speedway Park. "My wife thinks it's a mid-life crisis," the 40-year-old says with a chuckle. "Maybe she's right, but I like it, perhaps because it's different." One thing's for sure: He's downright impressed by the loyalty many racing zealots express for their favorite drivers. "The NASCAR fans are 100 percent dedicated to whoever their guy is. They've got T-shirts, they've got tattoos in some cases ... of their driver's (car) number." No need to tell Shauna Cooper, an administrative assistant at Channel 13, about that. She became a "diehard" follower of NASCAR racer Jeff Gordon three years ago, when he appeared on a TV talk show. "He was kind of cute, and I said to my husband, 'Who's that?'" Cooper recalls. "I said, 'I'm gonna root for him this Sunday' (during a televised race), and he ended up winning. It was hook, line and sinker after that." She has since amassed a collection of Gordon souvenirs. (Her most recent acquisition: a pair of racing-striped shoelaces.) "He's hot. I picked a winner." So far, Cooper has attended five races in California and Arizona. "The most dedicated fans are race fans," she contends. "The people that go are really into the teams and the cars. I enjoy the thrill of the passing and wondering who's gonna get ahead. They rub each other and swap paint." So why have women like Cooper become big fans of racing? Bisci gives the credit to the sport's corporate sponsors, who have successfully tapped into the female market. "They know women are in the grandstands," he says. That's why you're apt to see logos for household products -- like Tide, Kleenex and Underalls -- slapped on the sides of race cars. "Because women make the buying decisions in the household." Also growing are the number of young fans. "Kids are into racing," Bisci says. Many tracks -- Las Vegas included -- strive "to create and maintain a family atmosphere where everyone can enjoy it." But will the sport catch on in Las Vegas? Hard to say. "I don't know yet," Futrell says. "Local fans here have had a history of being wishy-washy about sports events. We are a little bit cynical because of failed sports ventures," such as the now defunct Las Vegas Sting and Posse football teams. "You've really got to go see a race in person to appreciate what it is. It may take some time, but once they have a chance to see some events ... (the popularity) will start growing quite a bit," he says. Bisci agrees. "Las Vegans are somewhat jaded." Though the track's $200 million price tag is considered "staggering" in auto racing circles, "When you compare it to a $2.3 billion casino going up, it's small potatoes." Also, he says, many locals' perception of auto racing was formed upon visiting Las Vegas Speedway Park (which the Motor Speedway will take control of come January). That's like comparing apples to oranges, Bisci contends. "It's a small oval with some bleachers," he says. "This is major league sports coming to Las Vegas." One plus is that you needn't be a motorhead to enjoy auto racing. "It helps if you like cars," but that's not a prerequisite, Bisci says. "It's entertainment and if you like it, so be it. You can just sit there and pick your favorite color car and root for it."