Stardust International Raceway Book Review

Professional motorsports came to Las Vegas in the mid 1950’s at a bankrupt horse track frequented by gamblers—and soon became enmeshed with the government and organized crime. By 1965, the Vegas racing game moved to the new Stardust International Raceway. It hosted the biggest names of the era—Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, John Surtees, Mark Donohue, Bobby Unser, Dan Gurney, Don Garlits, Tom "The Mongoo$e" McEwen, and Don Prudhomme 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 authors trace the Stardust’s colorful history through the auto racing monthlies, national newspapers, extensive interviews and the files of the FBI.

This book delves deeply into the origins of pro racing in Vegas, from the championship events at the twice-failed horse oval to premier drag and road racing events at Stardust.

International Raceway, to the far end of the Stardust trail, all of it amid a continuous brush with the gamblers, racketeers and organized crime figures of the day.

For further info and to purchase, visit mcfarlandbooks.com/product/stardust-international-raceway or call 800-253-2187