INDYCAR nixes Las Vegas Motor Speedway for 2012

Series cites need for testing with new car before returning to 1.5-mile oval

Following the death of Dan Wheldon in a 15-car incident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this past October, INDYCAR has announced that it will not return to the 1.5-mile oval for the 2012 campaign. In a release, series and speedway officials said that testing with the new 2012 Dallara would be necessary before a return to the high-banked oval could be considered.

Multiple drivers were slated to put the machines through their paces at LVMS the week following the IZOD IndyCar World Championships on Oct. 16, but in the wake of the accident that killed Wheldon, the Vegas tests was cancelled. New chassis testing was picked up again at Florida’s Sebring International Raceway later that month.

The full 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series schedule has yet to be revealed, and the investigation into the Vegas crash is still ongoing.