Fans Return To Las Vegas Motor Speedway As Kyle Larson Wins NASCAR Race Sunday

March 7, 2021March 7, 2021 Alan Snel Chris Powell, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson

Story and photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell

Las Vegas Motor Speedway welcomed fans for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic as 12,500 fans watched Kyle Larson and his Chevrolet #5 car take the Pennzoil 400 Sunday.

Speedway President Chris Powell was hoping that more fans would be allowed by Clark County Health officials at the 80,000-fan venue on the sprawling grounds north of Las Vegas. But the capacity was limited to 15 percent — less than the 20 percent cited by Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak in his most recent COVID-19 directive on large event gatherings. Fans also attended NASCAR races at the Speedway Friday and Saturday.

Take a look at the social distancing in the grandstands:

Local sponsors had their brands on the cars. Let’s check out local Las Vegas area products Kyle Busch and Ethel M Chocolates combining forces. Ethel M Chocolates celebrated its 40-year anniversary with a primary paint scheme featured on Busch’s No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and BetMGM unveiled the first NASCAR racecar to be fully branded by a sports betting operator. The BetMGM paint scheme debuted during the Pennzoil 400. The No. 3 Chevrolet, driven by Austin Dillon, adorned BetMGM’s black and gold colors.

Las Vegas’ Kurt Busch was also on hand.

Larson of Hendrick Motorsports won his first NASCAR race since his suspension for saying a racial slur while playing a video game during the pandemic.