Speedway Potties, Las Vegas Sun, Sept. 13, 1996

Fancy restrooms give speedway Taj-Mahal status Lisa Sciortino Friday, Sept. 13, 1996 | 11:59 a.m. So what about the Las Vegas Motor Speedway has the racing world abuzz? It's going to have real restrooms! "Auto-racing fans aren't used to real bathrooms," says Ron Futrell, KTNV Channel 13 sportscaster. "If you go to tracks around the country, a lot of them will have Porta Potties." Don't wet your pants yet: The porcelain hasn't quite crossed the Speedway finish line. But next time you'll get to experience what amounts to a royal flush in the race world. "They're talking about this track as though it's the Taj Mahal of auto racing," he says. Take it from Futrell. After all, he's been to the granddaddy of all tracks, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "There's very little luxuries about that place, (and) it has the history of being the greatest track in auto racing," he says. And, as if flushing toilets weren't enough, the facilities here will feature attendants to ensure that the stalls stay tidy. "People are going to be keeping them clean constantly," assures Speedway publicist John Bisci. "We're doing everything that we can ... to make the fans as comfortable as possible," he says. Speaking of comfort, from the aluminum-style bench seats in the grandstands, spectators will have a clear view of the entire track -- another racing rarity. "All of the seats will look down on the track," Bisci explains. "Even the cheap seats (about $40) will have a good view." It helps that tall light poles were not placed in the track's infield. "How great it's going to be to watch a race at this track," Futrell gushes. At Indianapolis, "You basically pick a corner (of the track) ... and you see part of the race," he says. Here "they'll be racing close to Indy speeds on a track where you can watch the entire track. "It's been built and designed for the spectator. That's going to make a big difference in the way people enjoy the race," he says. Even the munchies will be better than usual. Sure, there will be the staples -- hot dogs, burgers and lots of beer -- but also look for "gourmet pizzas and frozen treats," Bisci says. As long as they aren't too messy or too tricky to eat. "You could turn it into a massive food court, but you've got to remember that people are going to take these back to their seats," he says. "I don't know that I'd want to sit in the grandstands and eat chicken wings. "I was a fan first, and I'm still a fan, (so) I always look at it from a fan's point of view," he says.