Randall Cannon - Caesars Palace Grand Prix: Las Vegas, Organized Crime and the Pinnacle of Motorsport

The Caesars Palace Grand Prix presented a fascinating opportunity to study two parallel threads of history, the progression of Formula One motorsport through America and forward to Caesars Palace, alongside the influences of the national crime syndicate and the development and operational plan for Caesars Palace. As such, the body of research traverses several decades. This is a story, then, that could not have been told without the willing recollections of the participants and observers populating both paths through the past. Photographic contributions, as well, brought the story to a vivid reality. The author acknowledges the contributions of the following for the generosity of their time, their remembrances, and their resources, with deepest gratitude.

Most of all, I express my heartfelt appreciation to my patient, supportive, loving wife Julie. Further, this work would not be possible without the constant encouragement and wisdom of our children, Courtney, Camille, and Clark.

Former Caesars Palace Vice President of Casino Marketing William D. Weinberger provided invaluable insight into the origins of the Caesars Palace Grand Prix as well as a peek inside the Palace of Caesar. Mr. Weinberger also provided several images from his personal collection.

Former Caesars World, Inc. legal counsel and Caesars Palace Vice President Bruce Aguilera steered the Caesars Palace Grand Prix storyline through the transition from Formula One to the CART IndyCar series, as well as provided background on the Caesars Palace chief executive and later Formula One efforts in Las Vegas. Mr. Aguilera also facilitated access to Caesars Palace Grand Prix press materials, race programs, and race posters.

Friends and colleagues who contributed selflessly to the success of the project: Josh Ashby/International Motor Racing Research Center, Mike Follmer, Rick Lake, Tony Landis, Scott Liles, Mike Machat, Marc Nelson, Ernie Ohlson, and Pete Ward.

The racers, journalists, broadcasters, archivists, historians, photographers, and other contributors to the history of the Caesars Palace Grand Prix, Caesars Palace, Formula One in America, and this story, in alphabetical order: Jenny Ambrose/International Motor Racing Research Center, Mario Andretti, Duke Argetsinger/International Motor Racing Research Center, Allen Brown/Oldracingcars.com, Jeff Burbank, Su Kim Chung, Ph.D./University of NevadaLas Vegas, Allan Coy/California Sports Car Club, Wally Dallenbach, Jr., Jay Dalton, Tom Daniel, Gary Gerould, Bill Green/International Motor Racing Research Center, Michael Green, Ph.D./University of NevadaLas Vegas, Mike Henle, Bethany Khan/Culinary Workers Union Local 226, Las Vegas News Bureau, Jack Long, Pete Lyons, Jane Tyler Maners/Caesars Entertainment, Anthony Marnell/Marnell Companies, Brent Martin, Jim Michaelian/Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, Robin Miller/Racer.com, Jeff Motley/Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Mary Lou Pernicano/Penske Corporation, Chris Pook, Revs Institute for Automotive Research, Lyn St. James, Jay Sarno, Jr., David G. Schwartz, Ph.D./University of NevadaLas Vegas, Tony Scodwell, Jeffrey A. Silver/Dickinson-Wright, John L. Smith, Stuart Sobek/Las Vegas Concours de Elegance, Sir Jackie Stewart, John Surtees, Jeff Teasley/HistoricAerials.com, Rick Titus, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Tina Van Curen/Autobooks-Aerobooks.com.