Mel Larson, a co-founder of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, died Tuesday at the age of 87.
Larson assisted the late Ralph Engelstad and Bill Bennett, along with Richie Clyne, to spearhead the construction of the speedway in the mid-1990s, and it was his guidance that paved the way for the new speedway to land its first NASCAR premier series event in 1998.
Larson’s friendship with Speedway Motorsports Chairman Bruton Smith helped pave the way for the purchase of the speedway in late 1998.
Services are pending.
