If the new Las Vegas plays out like Atlanta, expect Todd Bodine to be in contention for another Victory Lane celebration. Credit: Autostock

Odds out as new Vegas track makes racing even

Defending race winner Bodine compares new design to Atlanta

Just like the slot machines that line the walls of the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, the revamped Las Vegas Motor Speedway offers drivers in Saturday night's Craftsman Truck Series Smith's Las Vegas 350 unknown odds of bonanza or bust.

At least the odds will be even, since this race will be the first since the 1.5-mile oval was radically changed during the summer. The banking in the corners was increased from 12 to 20 degrees, the backstretch banking switched from 3 to 9 degrees and pit road was moved closer to the grandstands by 275 feet.

SMITH'S LAS VEGAS 350 SATURDAY -- All Times ET  •   Noon -- 1st Practice  •   1:30 p.m. -- Final Practice  •   6:10 p.m. -- Qualifying  •   8:45 p.m. -- Race Coverage (MRN, XM)  •   9 p.m. -- Race Coverage (SPEED)

Todd Bodine is the defending race winner, but even he said there's no comparison between the old Las Vegas and the new one.

"There's no question that the Las Vegas Motor Speedway that I won on last year is gone," Bodine said. "The new track has progressive banking and it drives a little bit like Atlanta. I was disappointed to see the old track go, but after we tested there with Goodyear, I'm pretty excited about getting back to Vegas."

If Las Vegas is a western version of Atlanta, don't expect much change to the standings. Current points leader Bodine won there this spring, edging Mark Martin by .354 seconds. Johnny Benson, currently second, was third, while David Reutimann and Ted Musgrave completed the top five.

One thing's for certain: The increased banking and new asphalt surface should allow the drivers to obliterate Mike Skinner's one-lap record of 165.230 mph. Based on that tire test, drivers expect the track to be at least a second faster, and with that, more side-by-side racing.

"I think their hopes are that the racing will be better," Dennis Setzer said. "They want to see faster speeds and we're definitely going to see that. The changes have created a pretty awesome track."

In order to give all 35 entrants a baseline for the weekend, the track will hold a pair of open practice sessions Friday. Qualifying will follow two more practices on Saturday, with the race beginning at about 9:15 p.m. ET.

All of the track construction should be completed in time for the Nextel Cup race in March.