The Abandoned Speed: The Ride - The Best Roller Coaster in Las Vegas | Expedition Extinct

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Where do you want to go next on the Expedition? Let me know!

[@HangtimeThrills]

Expedition Theme Park Son Of Beast

[@tpad8403]

Hulk the ride

[@joshuafrost2575]

Discovery Island at Disney

[@mariusmburger]

Do an Expedition on the great movie ride

[@mariusmburger]

Or maybe an Expedition on the history of Disney’s California Adventure.

[@Jashmeenneemhsaj]

I had the displeasure of being born and raised in Vegas. Watching such fun and wonderful places and rides being built, used, and abandoned then deconstructed was the most devastating ish for us kids lmao. Luckily got 1 ride in with this coaster when I was 10y/o, then we went to the Nascar Cafe afterwards :) I'm 30 now and love watching these vids about Vegas rides and amusement parks that were borned n killed what feels like instantly. Thank you!

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

All they needed was Lightning McQueen and it wouldn’t be abandoned. He is speed, after all

[@tylerkinser6908]

Avery the Cuban-American I can’t even go a day without seeing you somewhere in a comment section

[@parkermargeson6875]

Tyler Kinser me too

[@brianeyawn]

Speed was my favorite coaster in Vegas

[@GavinJ37]

They would have needed permission from Disney to use Lightning McQueen. And Disney would have told them to F*** OFFFFF

[@ryy4n_]

GavinJ37 take a joke

[@nugget_music]

I remember taking my ride on Speed before it closed. It was a serious powerhouse of a coaster with the turn off the launch looking unreal. It was small and didn't seem like it would be comfortable. However, that wasn't case. In fact, it had a nice little whip to it before going into the loop. Do it miss it? Heck yeah! It was a great, fun, and enjoyable launch coaster!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Love that launch!

[@matthewsouthwell9653]

@@ExpeditionThemePark have you been on it Sam?

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

@@matthewsouthwell9653 once 2008!

[@matthewsouthwell9653]

@@ExpeditionThemePark lucky you!

[@matthewsouthwell9653]

@@ExpeditionThemePark lucky you!

[@mcrchickenluvr]

This is where I spent my 21st birthday. It is also where I learned why it is not smart to ride a roller coaster while drunk. So did my brother. I apologize to anyone down below that we’re our victims.

[@brendasanderson7538]

🤣😫🤢

[@wanee8039]

Friend and I used to stay there quite often. Another I'll forgotten Ideal was piggyin out at the cafe Before going on it. My best friend found out the hard way🤢 Thankfully he ended up one car behind me 😛.Took out about 5 other people that Definitely had to shower and Change 🤮. I did feel kinda bad for him but luckily existed stage left be5it was making me sick the Carnage. It was all over. 🤢🤭

[@PoseidonXIII]

I mean when I think of the Maghreb region of North Africa I immediately think of NASCAR.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Perfect fit haha

[@louisxvii2137]

PoseidonXIII Keep it real, you don’t spend much of your day thinking about inferior regions of the worlds

[@missybarbour6885]

@@louisxvii2137 I'm sorry, what? Give me literally one reason for that response

[@MarlonBitoy]

LOUIS XVII I mean, it was a a joke, the joke being that he was being sarcastic of associating the two despite their lack of connection, and you seem too inane to have understood that.

[@kagenlim5271]

Cause the Dakar cafe doesnt exist lol

[@thanehellpuppy]

it's funny, usually I get a twinge of sadness from an Expedition: Extinct, but this is just the nature of Vegas, a historic town where everything is shiny and new. brilliant episode!

[@jklmnopski7421]

“Over the years, Las Vegas has had a pretty rough rollercoaster history.” You could say it’s been a rollercoaster of a ride.

[@chuckcookus]

KZbin needs a boo button

[@soulpointcomics]

As a Las Vegas local and grew up with NASCAR and the NASCAR Cafe, I was so sad to this go :_(. Even though I didn't get over my fear of riding big coasters until 2019, it was still fun to look at. RIP Speed the Ride

[@BryanVGK23]

Same, I remember skipping school and spending the day there lol

[@SeanFlaharty]

I really loved this coaster. It was the first Premier coaster I rode and not really take a beating from the restraints. Anytime I was in Las Vegas, I would purchase a wristband and ride it a ton of times. On one slow day in February in the early 2000's, I decided to ride every single seat on the train. I would just switch over the seat next to me or behind me with each ride until I rode the last two seats in the back of the train. I then did the same "all-seats" riding on Big Shot. Most of those Speed rides were zen rides but I had to wait a while for them to launch. After that day, I was never able to take a zen ride as they wanted to make sure they had a full train of riders, which sometimes took over a half-hour to happen.

[@fiyahspinnah]

Zen rides, love that.

[@SeanFlaharty]

@@fiyahspinnah I don't remember where I first heard that from but its a term enthusiasts use to describe a solo ride. It really fits. :)

[@badatgaming]

Very grateful that I got to ride Speed several times when I visited Vegas with a friend when I was younger. I also had the same thoughts about this coaster, it was indeed the best coaster in Vegas.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It was great!

[@AnthonyWilliamsVlogs]

I’ll never forget this ride! 12 years old out there for a baseball tournament. The kids went on the rollercoaster all day while the parents gambled. Legitimately the best rides in Vegas.

[@sonimatic]

The ride was still standing when I visited Vegas when I was little. I wasn't tall enough. Saddest coaster moment of my life, mostly in hindsight.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Aww that's a shame

[@CoasterKrazie]

I remember riding this 20 times in one day as a kid, this was such a great launching coaster. It was like montezumas revenge on steroids.

[@jlp7972]

Sad that this is gone yet that piece of crap Manhattan Express is still standing...

[@tinypoolmodelshipyard]

Yes..Golden Comment Right Here

[@badatgaming]

Manhurtin' Express

[@alaeriia01]

you mean Oof: The Ride?

[@Lockbar]

I rode Manhattan Express in 2003. I'm still waiting for a compatible kidney donor.

[@jeebs621]

People will never understand the terror of the first hill climb and drop. The feeling that any moment the train could fly right into the Excalibur hahaha

[@dmnc_cmnd]

I would love another launch coaster in Vegas. We desperately need something new

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Agreed

[@tomlink5784]

Mood. The stupi "SLOTZILLA" is redunant. Freemont street is going to hell. Its lost almost 90 percent of the iconic signs such as the giant cowboy waving his hand back and forth (which now sits in the neon museum) [and which served as inspiration for victors face and look in Fallout: New Vegas] honestly. Idk if its just me but i prefer the older feel of old style vegas. Not this neonish new wave, altho some of it is good. Idk. Ya know what im sayin though?

[@NickyD]

not gonna happen vegas doesnt draw nearly as much as it did 15 years ago

[@TonyGilbert1]

@Dust My Broom the last time I had fun in Vegas was in the 90s

[@standm1]

Just get a next gen vekoma launch coaster

[@dylanmclaughlin3430]

I love the new Vegas music in these vids. Brings me back to the Mojave

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yesss

[@LockeDemosthenes2]

eVErY niGHt'S A FEasT aT ThE SAharA!!!!!! YEAah!!!!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeahhhhh

[@DocNo27]

Growing up in Vegas in the 70’s and 80’s was the best - the food was really over the top and a great deal. Somewhere in the early 2000’s they figured out they didn’t need to discount and people would still come - the prices went up and the quality which had been in decline seemed to deteriorate even further. Every casino used to have their own coffe shop and most were excellent - then they started contracting them out to chains like Denny’s - ugh.

[@Sol17Opacus]

The royalty-free sound-alike of Dean Martin's "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?" hurt my brain

[@abzue5375]

@@Sol17Opacus omg fucking exactly what I was thinking bruv. Hurts my brain

[@dianaburn2474]

Yeah, I can't say much for older buffet food, but if you ever come to Las Vegas, I can't really recommend most buffets. I've been here over 20 years and been to my fair share of buffets. Most of the time, the food is just average to mediocre; every once in a while you'll find something good, but it's hit or miss. Your money is better spent at an actual restaurant ( although be careful, some are very over priced).

[@JustinSBarrett]

I rode Speed: The Ride during a brief trip to Las Vegas in 2001. It was one of the highlights of the trip, and after moving to Vegas last fall, I was disappointed that it wasn't still around. Thanks for putting together this history of the coaster! It definitely brings back memories.

[@claireknight4301]

There is something about your intro music that always makes me happy. Thank you for all your content x

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@SidneyOskarina]

My parents worked there when I was growing up! It was definitely really sad to see it go. Thank you so much for spending time talking about the history of the Sahara Hotel and Casino, brought back some good memories

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you so much

[@johnknightiii1351]

North strip died during the recession when they took away most of the attractions (hotels, casinos, and water parks) in order to build some failed projects and an empty festival ground that sometimes goes unused for an entire year. The recession killed the fountain blue and the echelon place which stuck the nail in the coffin

[@dianaburn2474]

To this day, I still don't understand why we don't have huge water parks. (Yes, I know it's a desert, but Las Vegas has traditionally ignored that in terms of attractions) There's a few, sure, but those are residential. You'd think a water park on the strip would do well...

[@JayB-zb3qg]

They had Wet an Wild water park next to Sahara hotel-it was nice to see a water park on the strip-they need it back at the other end where Mandalay Bay is in all that OPEN SPACE.

[@emacias1473]

I notice the closing of the majority are at that time and it happened again with shut down a few might not open back up that were already failing sad to see them go

[@TravelbyNick.]

"A Van Down by the River": The Ride!

[@Spiderific]

Well you'll have plenty of time to ride "A Van Down by the River: The Ride", while you're living in a van down by the river!

[@cortezmauricio702]

farley

[@cortezmauricio702]

@@Spiderific farley

[@blazerocker1734]

Live Vinyl - Thanks. I was hoping someone remembered Matt Foley.

[@tristramcoffin926]

I thought that too. He's like the real Matt Foley

[@gabepollock1641]

Oh my god this is amazing. NASCAR Cafe was a highlight of my childhood. I was never old enough to ride Speed but I could’ve spent hours in that place just absorbing the decor. Thanks for the major nostalgia trip. I didn’t know I needed this video until now.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks so much for watching !

[@thejman5683]

Oh God just imagine a speed 2 cruise control ride

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I wish!

[@nitefly99]

They pretty much have that.... Fast and Furious: Supercharged....

[@Vyppaaa11]

"This Summer, strap in, shut up, and hold on for the action packed thrill ride that you'll be talking about for the next 3 centuries. Get ready to be bent over and cornholed by, Speed 3: Glacial Drift. Watch as *generic Keanu Reeves replacement* races against the clock to curb global warming in attempt to save a small Norwegian town from being crushed by the glacier that is ONLY 76 years away! Get ready to SHIT YOURSELF WITH EXCITEMENT as our hero sits through 17 hours of climate summit hears IN REAL TIME! And try to hold on while he fearlessly RIDES the glacier for 3 MONTHS as part of a publicity stunt to raise awareness for the cause. The ticked price covers the wholes seat, but you'll only need THE EDGE!!!"

[@CoasterHorizons]

They need to open an outdoor amusement park in Vegas. It needs an RMC hybrid, an intamin launched, a b&m inverted, a b&m hypercoaster, a next-gen vekoma, an RMC raptor, and a record breaking looping shuttle coaster 😉

[@marwingillett1452]

I remember riding this as a kid when it was at the Sahara. So fun.

[@Joi_Robb]

Speed and the ride that drops off the side of the tower were the two coolest attractions in Vegas!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Exactly!

[@tomlink5784]

Last time i checked, the rides ontop of the Stratosphere are still operational.

[@dianaburn2474]

@@tomlink5784 Yep! Could've sworn they stopped the ride on the needle of the Stratosphere, but I just checked and it still seems like it's going.

[@armandofernandez8257]

This was one Hell of a ride,I don't understand why either Cedar Fair or Six Flags don't get this ride,it was a good ride.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Would of been nice

[@SagaTF2]

I'm guessing with the issues that Six Flags had with the Mr.Freeze rides + Batman and Robin rides, and Cedar fair having *some* Issues with FoF, both companies knew how much of a headache maintenance wise and, depending how much it was put up for auction, wasn't worth investing in.

[@Danrarbc]

@@SagaTF2 All but this and the Chiller pair are still operating though. And Cedar Fair isn't afraid of closing headache rides.

[@TransitTechLA]

Cedar Fair has Accelerator at Knotts and Top Thrill at Cedar Point. They don't need it.

[@krististarosta6736]

My dad drove a race car once. He really enjoyed it! He really loves cars. Pretty much any kind of car. And funny thing, when we got off Test Track at Disney World 6 years back, there was a whole room full of cars and my dad was in car heaven!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

My dad loves test track haha!

[@dylanc2057]

Test track was closed when I was there a few months ago pretty sad I haven’t rode it in almost 15 years

[@krististarosta6736]

Dylan C I’m sorry to hear that. Hopefully you’ll get to ride it again soon.

[@lukegreen5341]

I've Been To Las Vegas Nevada Back In March And April 2016 During My Los Angeles California And Universal Studios Hollywood And Paramount Pictures Hollywood And Las Vegas Nevada And Disneyland Resort Holiday Megatrip And It Was Super Awesome. Thanks Mate. X

[@Kalamamimbibee]

I grew up in Las Vegas for a good portion of my childhood. I remember seeing this coaster whenever my family and I drove through the intersectinon next to the sahara and hoping to see the train speed out of the tunnel. But unfortunately, I never got the chance to ride it all though I've always wanted to.

[@coltonandjen]

I'm literally here within the first 10 minutes, earliest I've already been, and I already love the video, keep up the good work during these hard times

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@lobsterhelmet348]

I have a lot of family that lives in Vegas, and when I was younger we'd end up there at least twice a year. I remember back when I was in my early teens my cousin and I marathoned Speed for like three hours; we only stopped because we started having trouble walking. I was fortunate enough to ride it in its heyday, where you could do that. The last time I rode it was like 2009 or so, and I distinctly remember buying the ticket and waiting like 20 minutes for the next cycle. Had a lot of good times on that ride, and I do miss it.

[@BradenCarlsonAutos]

This is a great video. I remember seeing this Rollercoaster when I was little and on my way to Disneyland with my parents. Then when I was old enough to go to Vegas with friends I wanted to ride it and never really knew what happened to it.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@disneyrobey4960]

Loved that coaster! Rode it whenever I went to Vegas.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

So good

[@HR3693]

This was the first rollercoaster I ever went on. My dad was brave enough to go on it with me to overcome my curiosity, even when he was scared of heights. 💜

[@gitzyrulz]

I remember seeing this coaster and watching the trains take off in through the loop and up the spike whenever I would go to Wet 'n Wild waterpark that used to be right next to the Sahara hotel. It was neat being able to good a good clear view when you were in the water park when either swimming or heading up the hills to go on of the slides. Unfortunately I was still a wuss when it came to roller coasters back in my teens so I never got to ride it. Since you've covering subjects from Las Vegas, could you soon do a video on the Wet 'n Wild water park that used to be right next to Speed? I used to go to it growing up outside of Vegas so I have a lot of nostalgia for it. I still miss that park.

[@beatler11]

Boy we use to have fun riding this coaster. Me and my son. Such happy times back then. This was one of our favorites.

[@PttyBlue43]

NASCAR had a big boom in the 2000s and hit its height of popularity in 2006 before taking a very big fall off. It’s really sad

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah never been a fan myself

[@PttyBlue43]

@@ExpeditionThemePark It's an acquired taste. In the 2000s, it was more popular than the NFL before they started messing it up

[@DevinEMILE]

It fell apart in the depression. People didn’t have the money to go to Daytona and other races. Not to mention sponsors are less inclined to get into the sport after some of the changes to broadcasting was made

[@NekoKasumi]

I had the pleasure of riding Speed and what a great ride it was! I was devastated to return to Vegas and find it gone. My dad and I don't agree on very much, but he loves Nascar and I had the need for Speed and it sucked to lose a thing we both enjoyed. Im watching this 4/29 so, happy belated Speed.

[@planetmuskvlog3047]

Has Vegas peaked in general? Seems “abandoned videos” about Vegas attractions are abundant.

[@ashmoleproductions5407]

It is definitely on the major decline. I loved my memories of the early 2000's going as a kid as even among the smut the glits and glamor and old glory was still on full display. Then slowly little by little the things that made it worth going started to go away. From the pirate show at treasure island to FAO schwarts in Caesars. The atlantis ride went away then the tigers. The great food became mediocre and so much more. I have gone at least once nearly every year of my life and it allowed me to witness the decline. Having gone last year finally able to enjoy it fully as an adult left a bad taste in my mouth. The resorts nickle and dime you on everything and almost none of the fun is still there although the shows are at least a saving grace. KAH in particular.

[@utophergraa6766]

I'd say the only really "new" thing that's been taking Vegas by storm is legalized weed, Most of the new developments are nightclub dispenseries, and then we have a new casino "resorts world" that's currently in construction. Otherwise, most places are either left abandoned or aren't all that intriguing

[@AndresGarcia-qn3xv]

I think he means bc of COVID guys 😂 it’s literally empty

[@dianaburn2474]

@@ashmoleproductions5407 Yeah, I was pretty mad about them changing the pirate show. Some of the shows are worth while, and some of the restaurants are okay, but I really don't see the appeal. But, to be fair, I grew up here. But it does seem to be on the decline.

[@miketeixeira2194]

No they just keep building new things which puts the old things out of business and some of the new things fail. Their hotels and fees are pricier than ever due to high demand (before COVID)

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Great video. Speed The Ride was amazing and I still miss it to this day. Going thru the tunnel then under the Sahara sign was awesome and even better at night. Have a nice day and thanks for posting this..

[@RecklessFables]

Went to Vegas with a young lady I was dating at the time and this was our second favorite activity of that weekend.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I'm sure the first was site seeing

[@davidkennedy3050]

Ah, gambling at the blue and pink roulette wheel!

[@jengorman2246]

I remember my first trip to vegas I walked the whole strip to hit the Stratosphere, and walked by the abandoned Sahara. Thought it was so cool and eerie, then saw what had to be signs it used to have a roller coaster. I was so bummed and thought "I bet that was a great coaster for Vegas" - turns out, it was! Just went again 10 years later this past summer and walked through the SLS on the way to jump off the Stratosphere (last time I rode the rides and promised myself next time I'm jumping off the building - and I did!) and thought about that roller coaster again. So thrilled to see this vid!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Sounds like fun!

[@reaperquartz]

WOAH IM EARLY?? staying up all night really did pay off

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Worth it!

[@NatYourAverageNerd]

My mom and I rode this coaster back in 2008 while she was on a work trip in Vegas. We were celebrating my 16th birthday, too, and this coaster was one of the few attractions we had time for. As corny as it sounds, I hardly remember it because it happened so fast, but I DO remember riding it and thinking that the hotel was pretty dead at the time. It seemed like the place was going under even then, and as much as it saddens me to see that Speed wound up like this, I can't say I'm shocked.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah just a shame

[@elchuckodenorris]

Oh man! I just started working in Vegas, I’ve been wondering what the big yard full of roller coaster track was right by my work. Great video man!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@minimusproducts7860]

omg when I was younger, this was my FAVORITE ride!! We would get the all day pass and just go on the ride over n over n over again. One day we spend like 4 hours there, our parents just left us there and we must have rode that thing over 100+ times in a row. Cause during the weekday hardly anyone was there in line so we practically had the ride to ourselves it was so freakin awesome!

[@grantgress7932]

Batman and Robin: The Chiller we’re also Premier Rides LIM Shuttle Coasters, just saying.

[@christopherslocum9454]

I’m happy that I got to see, ride and visit this ride in 2001!

[@famousamongthebarns9590]

I feel like the only Vegas coaster I ever rode was the Big Apple Coaster.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Poor you ha

[@AirtimeThrills]

Several months ago there was a rumor that speed would come back to the new Sahara. I loved this thing, used to marathon it in the early 2000s

You know you're an optimist when you get excited over a 6.99 buffet like if he's going to Disney.

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Great video. I loved Speed The Ride and the tunnel under the walkway and going through the sign was simply awesome too. Thanks for posting this. Have a nice day.

[@Clay3613]

Being named Speed: The Ride...I thought it would be themed to the movie SPEED.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

If only

[@TheRailwayGuy175]

I was thinking the same thing. It would be cool if there one, and it would become like the Disaster ride at Universal.

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

So did I!

[@shawnmartin95358]

Speed = racing, racing = Nascar and Nascar =speed.... get it?

[@kyleanderson2949]

In your dreams

[@owenstokes3917]

I love how the New Vegas radio music was the background music nice touch

[@so-calseany1176]

Oh, sweet!!! I love Keanu- wait a minute...

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Haha wrong Speed!

[@DasNordlicht91]

To be fair, the name “Speed: The Ride” fits the popular “________: The Ride” naming scheme for rides named after movies.

[@jaypainespotter]

I rode this in 2004, oh the memories. They built the SLS in its place and now it's the Sahara again. Oh you can see the old Sahara sign at the neon museum.

[@TabularJoker]

4:08 Now I need to see the remains of the nascar cafe in my own hometown!holy crap!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Which one?

[@TabularJoker]

Expedition Theme Park Hometown of the Sit-Ins,Greensboro.

[@rb5078]

That was such a fun coaster.

[@tpad8403]

Love ur channel so much!!!!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@tpad8403]

Expedition Theme Park No problems!

[@DarkSt0rm009]

Dude, I used to go to the Pigeon Forge Nascar Cafe all the time when I was a little kid, It broke my heart to see part of Pigeon Forge history sit abandoned for years but, hey, you could say it was the right turn to make ;)

[@dehydratedwat3r]

i once went on this ride ~15 times in a row as a 10 year old because the place was empty. was fun, have a picture at my moms house somewhere

[@tyrell.]

I remember staying at the Sahara as a little kid and just staring at this ride! Also remember the McDonalds with the old man logo. Crazy to visit Vegas every year, it always changes.

[@edvaira6891]

NASCAR Cafe was horrible, but the ride was pretty good...just pricey

[@EDMLyfe]

God I would have paid anything to go into the cafe cafe in pigeon forge before they tore that down. Never really got to experience it I was only two when I was at the myrtle beach one.

[@bryanterry1111]

I actually remember seeing this in person! My family travels to Las Vegas every few years, and we’ve been going there a long time. The earliest trip I can remember was in summer 2008, and I remember seeing this coaster. My older sister though it was cool and wanted to ride it, but I was only four at the time and I was terrified of it. We never actually rode it though for it we didn’t plan on going to the Sahara at all. I didn’t understand it then, but I’m glad to at least have seen this legendary coaster. It’s unfortunate it had to close, Las Vegas hasn’t had a coaster that impressive since.

[@OceanbornAngel]

When I saw the thumbnail for this video I immediately thought. "That looks like something a deranged psychopath would make as a Coaster in Roller Coaster Tycoon."

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

That was my goal ha

[@kylekirby6424]

I really like how you go into the history of other stuff and not just the ride itself. Thanks :)

[@TheSonicsean]

And yet the New York coaster is still standing. Life isn't fair. Also for some reason I have a legitimate fear of the metal fins on the side of LIM coaster cars.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Right!

[@LeNimph]

I remember doing the day pass thing with my cousin all day and alternating between the bad nascar sim and the rollercoaster. Speed was an excellent coaster and the day pass was worth it.

[@cookiecrusher2.090]

How Come This Awesome Ride Closed Yet The Dumpster Fire That Is The Manhattan Express Is Still Torturing It’s Guests

[@nickallain]

I rode this when it was relatively new. I was a little dehydrated when I did and it was the sickest I've ever been after riding a coaster. Then we got into a blazing hot mini van cab to get back to our hotel. Good gosh it was awful.

[@djsugarc1075]

chris farley impersonator was hilarious

[@tomlink5784]

Wait i thought that was chris farley

[@djsugarc1075]

tom link defff not

[@starkiller18]

This just reminds me of how much i miss the old Sahara. I stayed there sveral times back in college. I have also rode the coaster a few times.

[@brycevo]

The Sahara is a classic hotel, but I still prefer the other hotels

[@drewwadsworth3285]

There was nothing like shooting out of the tunnel into the hot Vegas sun. The best part was going through the loop in reverse. Speed did it's job, for me, there was no other reason to go to the Sahara except to ride the coaster. Take care Sam.

[@ashmoleproductions5407]

Vegas is definitely on the major decline. I loved my memories of the early 2000's going as a kid as even among the smut the glits and glamor and old glory was still on full display. Then slowly little by little the things that made it worth going started to go away. From the pirate show at treasure island to FAO schwarts in Caesars. The atlantis ride went away then the tigers. The great food became mediocre and so much more. I have gone at least once nearly every year of my life and it allowed me to witness the decline. Having gone last year finally able to enjoy it fully as an adult left a bad taste in my mouth. The resorts nickle and dime you on everything and almost none of the fun is still there although the shows are at least a saving grace. KAH in particular. But otherwise the old magic is gone and even fremont is a desicated shell of its former self. This virus situation may just be the straw that breaks the camels back.

[@themountainwanderer]

Yes, my last visit was for a conference several years ago. It was shocking. The crazy prices, the mix of people, the lack of any attractions absent of the shows. Even the classy Bellagio changed its conservatory and removed the grand staircase. I used to love visiting. Now I don't know if I will ever be back. The only attractions that remain are outside of the city, the parks.

[@tiannahamilton7516]

I don’t know why, I get a lot of nostalgic while watching your videos and I was not even born in these times, very interesting

[@OcpCommunications]

Was that fat guy in the Sahara buffet commercial straight-up ripping off Chris Farley?

[@juliangarciaenriquemobileg9431]

OcpCommunications yes

[@TylerPinkney]

This was absolutely one of my favorite roller coaster, not just of Las Vegas. While short, it had that aggressive acceleration that will make you laugh like a maniac. I was crushed when they took it out. It's sad that most attractions taken down and sold "to be put back up later elsewhere" in Vegas never seem to materialize.

[@watermellonman]

Drat I'm second

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Third really!

[@Fuzon-S]

12:50 You know what they say, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas..." I remember checking out NASCAR Cafe at Universal Orlando, fun times.

[@ericfuchs123]

What was up with the rip-off Chris Farley?

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Right my thoughts exactly

[@TheSonicsean]

It's Vegas. 45% of people there are employed as impersonators.

[@mattcourt89]

We came over from England and wondered about this coaster as we we're in Vegas in the middle of an American road trip on May 20th 2011 and walked past this coaster/hotel on the way back from the Stratosphere. Thanks for the video! Went through my old Facebook pictures from the trip and found the photos I took of the just closed Nascar Cafe and coaster track.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@otaking3582]

Eh, would've been better if the train cars were realistic buses, and included narration from Keanu Reeves

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I mean what wouldn't be

[@justingaga84]

LOVE your super informative and nostalgic vids 😊💯

[@tedpeterson917]

When I was a kid, I bought the all day pass and rode that thing nonstop for several hours. I loved it.

[@thewhatever3565]

I vaguely remember the arcade that came with the coaster. The car simulator cost bucks but there was a way to get unlimited rides on Speed when no one was waiting in line. Me and my brother did exactly that. The place was empty, so we got free rides from the person operating it. Was the best day ever!

[@grumpibell]

I’m not 100% sure why I’ve never watched one of your videos before… But Sam this is so fascinating. Mostly because I’m from Southern California and I was a frequent visitor of Las Vegas while I stayed there going about twice a month. Are used to love this roller coaster and was super sad when they tore it down

[@Keaturr]

Playing the wickerman theme on your outro..... I’m a host on wickerman & have avoided listening to the soundtrack because it makes me miss work so so much. I recognised it instantly. Feed the flames 🔥

[@msjibberjabberhodge]

I went to Vegas for the first time in 2007 and I loved this ride. I went back again in 2011 telling my sister that we had to ride it. We walked all the way up the strip and I was gutted when it wasn’t operating anymore 😭 a really great ride and one I’m lucky to have ridden! I always wondered what happened to it! Thank you for the video 😊

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@damienhelmold6978]

I got to ride all these coasters 15 years ago. The newyprk one was the coolest but i got to ride speed over and over for 2 hrs straight. Alot of fun.

[@xxryan76xx]

Thank you for this video I was married in Las Vegas in 2001 and rode the speed coster with my wife just hours later I’m so sad to see the final outcome for the ride but I’m glad I had the chance to ride it

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

A nice way to spend your wedding!

[@SadKamala]

So glad I got to ride this, it was an awesome coaster! RIP!

[@milesharris7781]

I remember riding that ride when I was 11. One of the greatest moments of my life

[@JetsetExplorer]

Went to Vegas with my dad for a Nascar race and we went to the Cafe. (They were all terrible, Vegas and Universal Orlando) We rode speed nearly 10 times, it was awesome and now that I think of it probably my first launch coaster ever!

[@bernardpettiford5398]

When I lived in Vegas, I would buy the unlimited wrist band and ride this attraction up to 10 times each visit. The ride was super short but there was never a long line. Man I miss it and the nearby Las Vegas Wet'n'Wild.

[@Justin.Franks]

I'm glad I was able to ride this coaster before it was dismantled. It _definitely_ was the best coaster in Las Vegas...although that's a pretty low bar to beat. The tight dimensions of the launch tunnel and that first turn really helped make it feel much faster than it actually was. The coaster on the top of the Stratosphere was another fun former Las Vegas coaster in its own way. Sure, it was basically just a slow moving helix, but being nearly 1,000 feet off the ground was an interesting experience.

[@princesskristan]

I wish I went to Vegas when this coaster was around. I remember seeing it on Man vs. Food and it looked like so much fun

[@beatler11]

It was