Stardust International Raceway: Motorsports Meets the Mob in Vegas, 1965-1971 - Softcover

Randall Cannon (author) & Mike Gerry (author)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1476673896 ISBN 13: 9781476673899

Publisher: McFarland, 2018

Synopsis

Professional motorsports came to Las Vegas in the mid-1950s at a bankrupt horse track swarmed by gamblers--and soon became enmeshed with the government and organized crime. By 1965, the Vegas racing game moved from makeshift facilities to Stardust International Raceway, constructed with real grandstands, sanitary facilities and air-conditioned timing towers. Stardust would host the biggest racing names of the era--Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, John Surtees, Mark Donohue, Bobby Unser, Dan Gurney and Don Garlits among them.

Established by a notorious racketeer, the track stood at the confluence of shadowy elements--wiretaps, casino skimming, Howard Hughes, and the beginnings of Watergate. The author traces the Stardust's colorful history through the auto racing monthlies, national newspapers, extensive interviews and the files of the FBI.

About this title

About the Authors

Randall Cannon is a freelance writer and lifelong motorsports enthusiast.

Michael Gerry is a race vehicle constructor and has worked on several championship drag racing teams. He resides in North Las Vegas, Nevada.

From the Back Cover

Professional motorsports came to Las Vegas in the mid-1950s at a bankrupt horse track swarmed by gamblers--and soon became enmeshed with the government and organized crime. By 1965, the Vegas racing game moved from makeshift facilities to Stardust International Raceway, constructed with real grandstands, sanitary facilities and air-conditioned timing towers. Stardust would host the biggest racing names of the era--Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, John Surtees, Mark Donohue, Bobby Unser, Dan Gurney and Don Garlits among them.

Established by a notorious racketeer, the track stood at the confluence of shadowy elements--wiretaps, casino skimming, Howard Hughes, and the beginnings of Watergate. The author traces the Stardust's colorful history through the auto racing monthlies, national newspapers, extensive interviews and the files of the FBI.

Edition details

• Publisher: McFarland
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1476673896
• ISBN 13: 9781476673899
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 203