2005 Racing Issue - UAW-Chrysler.com

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UAW-DC 400 Pulling Off the Perfect Race Behind the scenes at the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Even before the race, NASCAR fans at the 2005 UAW- DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) get a thrill. Picture the opening ceremonies: All eyes turn toward the American flag when the first notes of the national anthem ring out, and a formation of fighter jets from nearby Nellis Air Force Base streaks across the sky when the song ends. Staging a Nextel Cup event doesn’t just happen. Hundreds of people put in tens of thousands of hours working behind the scenes to pull it together, and their work starts many months before the first thundering roar of a 750-horsepower engine shatters the still of the surrounding desert air. Track Teamwork For David Stetzer, vice president of operations at LVMS, the biggest task is handling traffic flow — not on the track, but through the feeder roads and parking lots ringing it. “The goal 6 www.uawdcx.com is to reduce the amount of time needed to get 140,000 fans in and out of the property each year without risking their safety,” he says. To achieve that objective at the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, Stetzer’s department employs 3,160 people on race weekend and works closely with the Nevada Highway Patrol, the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, the Nevada Department of Transportation and other public agencies. With about 35,000 cars arriving and leaving simultaneously, “we are basically moving the equivalent of a small city in and out of the property for three straight days,” Stetzer says. “It’s an enormous challenge, but it can be done with continuous improvements and the assistance of those government agencies.” March 11, 2005, is “D-Day” for Bobby McKenna, director of maintenance at LVMS. The toughest job he faces is getting the property ready for the race by that date and “doing it without burning out the staff or doing setups so early that things “ Their Greatest Fears:Worst-Case Scenarios ” “A major wreck on either I-15 or Las Vegas Boulevard. This would cause a tremendous delay in traffic flow. We prepare for this by placing wreckers and safety vehicles in areas where they can respond in the shortest amount of time possible.” DAVID STETZER, vice president of operations “A power failure or water main break. There’s no quick fix for that kind of problem.” BOBBY MCKENNA, director of maintenance “The worst-case scenario is something I have no control over — inclement weather.” JEFF MOTLEY, director of public relations “It’s an enormous challenge, but it can be done with continuous improvements and the assistance of … government agencies.” DAVID STETZER, vice president of operations at LVMS don’t look fresh,” he says. “You can’t hang banners, cut grass and have the grounds immaculate in February and get the look you want on March 11.” Because the 2005 event is his first since being named to his current position, McKenna relies heavily on two veteran staff members. “I am fortunate to have two assistants, Frank Borelli and Joe Bravatto, who have been here for every NASCAR event, and a staff of 27 people who know and do their jobs quite well,” he says. “I’m staying out of the way this year.” Bravatto oversees about a third of the staff in maintaining all the The pit crew in action during the 2004 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
It’s perpetual motion at the 2004 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. CORBIS facility’s HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems. Borelli is in charge of event setup and works with outside vendors providing restroom and shower services, temporary fencing and infield logo painting. Julian Hernandez and the housekeeping staff keep the restrooms and suites clean all week. Details, Details No doubt about it, Stetzer and McKenna and their teams shoulder a tremendous load and play a critical role in making sure the race comes together, but at least their areas of responsibility are clearly defined. What about the guy who makes sure the qualified drivers hit the track at just the right time, lines up a singer for the national anthem, synchronizes the Air Force jets’ fly-over with the song and takes care of dozens of other details? All that falls to Jeff Motley, the track’s director of public relations, who has no trouble describing his biggest challenge in making the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 happen: “Simply pulling everything together.” Motley’s job is ruled by deadlines. He has to make sure information is gathered and prepared for printed materials, handle the credentialing process for the media who attend the event, line up and choreograph all the pre-race activities and more. Having done this several times before, Motley has experience on his side. He has 50 full-time and part-time staffers working for him. “The best strategy is to have a checklist of everything that needs to be done,” Motley says of his keep-itsimple approach to organizing the event. “You set dates on that checklist and do your best to meet them. Once you get something checked off, you know that it’s handled and you don’t have to worry about it any longer.” It’s a lot of work, Motley and his coworkers admit. But if the end result is a UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 that comes off without a hitch, it will all have been worth it. ■ — Michael J. McDermott The BIG Event by the Numbers 37,000 souvenir programs sold 160,000 gallons of beverages served — enough to fill 10 swimming pools 60,000 hamburgers and hot dogs consumed 300,000 spectators over the three-day weekend 148,000 spectators on race day* 1,200 credentialed media members *NASCAR/Las Vegas Events estimate; LVMS does not release attendance figures. TOMORROW SPECIAL RACING 2005 7
Page 2 and 3: Side by Side On the Fast Track WHEN
Page 4 and 5: Start Engines YOUR BURN RUBBER,BABY
Page 8 and 9: Our Fans Toy Time It was love at fi
Page 10 and 11: Our Fans Look Out for Women Drivers
Page 14 and 15: COMEBACK KID: JEREMY MAYFIELD JEREM
Page 16 and 17: “I’M DOING THE SAME THING I’V
Page 18 and 19: A DRIVER’S RACE WEEKEND THURSDAY
Page 20 and 21: MIDGETS SPRINTS AND TRUCKS DODGE RA
Page 22 and 23: The challenge to win is one sentime
Page 24 and 25: STORY BY Molly Rose Teuke PHOTOGRAP
Page 26 and 27: THE SCIENCE AND SKILL OF DRAFTING G
Page 28: 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Highl

2005 Racing Issue - UAW-Chrysler.com

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