Radical honesty is not for the faint-hearted, but once you get a taste for it, it’s hard to stop. And, you know who knows this better than everyone on the planet today? Kenny Wallace, the unfiltered voice of NASCAR, has never held back – not while he was racing, not now that he has retired. And, man can his opinions rattle fans!

This time around, he took on F1’s Las Vegas Second Edition to speak on. And, as usual, he was not afraid to speak his mind, even if it displeased some sections of people. So, what does he think about the race taking place in the largest State of Nevada, challenges highlighted by the X community by it being held late at night, and some businesses in the area crying foul?

Kenny Wallace: Hot take on challenges locals and race lovers are facing in the ‘Sin City’

The happy-go-lucky Kenny Wallace never fails to amaze people with his brutally honest, brutally caffeinated takes. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that fans love the old-time barnstorming driver, who raced in his dirt-modified car. He might not have won a Cup race, but his passion for cars and racing is not exactly subtle.

He said to these people, “I hear you, I agree. It’s Vegas man and Larry McReynolds says nighttime is the right time. However, they are also saying that the reason they run at night is because they just shut that City down for a little bit. And, I’m sure Formula One and the city are addressing it. Like, you know Vegas is normal all during the day, and then all of a sudden like …(bamm)..  they finish the road course they put the barriers up and then they race. I think the reason they run that Vegas race so late at night is because they shut a lot of the streets down. You know that’s a short race.”

However good the show might be, there are many business owners in the area who expressed dissatisfaction with the temporary bridge constructed for the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix They believe the bridge is hindering customer access to their establishments, leading to financial losses. One business owner, Wade Bohn, mentioned that he experienced millions in lost sales. Jay’s Market on Flamingo is a typical corner gas station but with a prime location at the crossroads of two major roads. It sells a lot of things, making it an ideal stop for travelers needing to stock up as they come into or leave the city. However, during the last two Novembers, this convenience has been disrupted by the construction of the Las Vegas Grand Prix Formula One circuit, which spans 3.8 miles of city streets. This project has resulted in traffic restrictions and road closures that have caused considerable gridlock in the area. These are just two of the many stories.

Anyhow, Kenny Wallace said, “There is a thought that there are some small shops out there in Vegas that are just pissed that Formula 1 is ruining their business that one night. You know it’s a couple of nights, whatever it is. For as much money as the Formula 1 race brings in, I think I’d just bite it for a little bit.”

And, Wallace isn’t exactly wrong. Nelson-Kraft, senior vice president of corporate affairs for the Las Vegas Grand Prix explained that the first Grand Prix held last year created an economic impact of $1.5 billion for the city, surpassing initial projections. This amount was higher than the $1 billion generated by the Super Bowl that took place in Las Vegas in February. Additionally, tax revenue from the Grand Prix amounted to $77 million, setting a record for Las Vegas.

While he said that the city must be helping these businesses, he also acknowledged that he doesn’t know everything.

What’s happening about the complaints from businesses and what measures are being taken to address their issues?

As per a report, four local business owners, including Bohn, initiated lawsuits against Clark County, claiming that the county’s actions have adversely affected their businesses and are seeking financial compensation. The Las Vegas Grand Prix chose not to comment on any current legal matters.

Race organizers and Clark County have taken significant steps to ease the impact on local businesses, according to Lori Nelson-Kraft. The construction timeline for this year’s race was reduced by 65% compared to the previous year. To minimize disruptions during peak hours, most of the construction work took place overnight. Additionally, race representatives engaged with local business owners, including Bohn, and expressed a willingness to consider suggestions that could further benefit the community.

To help with the traffic congestion, a proposal was made to reduce the number of lanes on the temporary bridge on Flamingo Road over Koval Lane from four to two. This bridge was established in October. “A lot of improvements have been made, and I will say that the restaurants that are in and around the circuit, specifically in that corridor, I have personally eaten at since the vehicular bridge has gone in,” Nelson-Kraft explained. “And, anecdotally, while eating in that area there with my husband, I had conversations with their staff where they have shared with me, just as a guest of their venues, that they have seen remarkable improvements over last year.” Critics of the race ideally would like to see the Las Vegas Grand Prix move away from the city to avoid the need for closing major routes.

What do you think is the likelihood for that to happen? Before answering this, we might want to keep in mind that the city and F1 have a ten-year contract, which ends in 2032.