FEATURES

NASCAR fever streaks through Nellis

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrew Dumboski
  • Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  The NASCAR Busch series and Nextel Cup series visited Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend, and Nellis played a part in their success.

From gate closures and traffic routing to flyovers and identification checking, Nellis pitched in and made it a weekend to remember.

Nellis closed the main and north gates, along Las Vegas Boulevard to aid in the control of traffic flow, and gave tour buses access to the speedway through the base.

Many members of the Nellis community volunteered time at the races, checking bags for unauthorized material, manning elevators and checking credentials to ensure spectators had access to where they wanted to go.

A four-ship of F-15s took the limelight Saturday with a flyby during the singing of the national anthem prior to the race. Sunday the task was performed by the Thunderbirds.

The Air Force also welcomed 24 new enlistees to the Delayed Entry Program ranks when Brig. Gen. Robertus Remkes, commander of Air Force Recruiting Service, swore them in prior to Sunday’s race. Many servicemembers also came out as fans to support the number 21 Air Force/ Motorcraft/Little Debbie Ford Fusion that raced in the Nextel Cup race Sunday.

Nellis played its part in keeping the NASCAR machine running, but by Monday morning it was business as usual at the “Home of the Fighter Pilot.”