The Caesars Palace Grand Prix was short-lived both in Formula One and CART, but the popular Las Vegas event left a lasting impression not only on those who attended but the 1981 World Championship in particular. Williams’ Carlos Reutemann entered the season-ending event with a single-point lead over Brabham’s Nelson Piquet, and Reutemann won the pole for the 75-lap race. It seemed he was poised to win what would be his first and only series championship. But Reutemann got a bad start...