2013 Pole Sitter: none, rained out, set by rules book, 2012 owners points

Current Track Config Qualifying Record: Kasey Kahne, 3/9/2012, 190.456

Old Track Config Qualifying Record: Kasey Kahne, 3/5/2004, 174.904mph

Oldest Pole Winner: Dale Jarrett, 44 years, 3 months, 6 days, 3/04/2001

Youngest Pole Winner: Kyle Busch, 22 years, 10 months, 0 days, 3/02/2008

2013 Race Winner: #20-Matt Kesneth, 146.287, started 18th

Track Race Record: Mark Martin, March 1998, 146.554mph

Slowest Race Record: Kyle Busch, 2009, 119.513mph

Worst Starting Spot to Win: Matt Kenseth 2004, started 25th

Oldest Winner: Sterling Marlin, 44 years, 8 months, 1 days, 3/3/2002

Youngest Winner: Kyle Busch, 23 years, 9 months, 29 days, 3/1/2009

Most Wins: 4 - Jimmie Johnson; 3 - Matt Kenseth

Most Poles: 3 - Kasey Kahne; 2 - Bobby Labonte, Dale Jarrett, Kyle Busch

Most Top 5s: 6 - Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth

Most Top 10s: 10 - Mark Martin; 9 - Tony Stewart

Most Cautions: 14 - 3/1/2009

Most Caution Laps: 66, 3/1/2009

Fewest Cautions: 2 - 2 times, most recently 3/5/2000

Fewest Caution Laps: 9, 3/1/1998

Most on the Lead Lap: 30 - 3/12/2006

Fewest on the Lead Lap: 10 - twice, most recently 3/7/1999

Most Running at the Finish: 42 - 3/5/2000

Fewest Running at the Finish: 33 - 3/7/2004

Most Leaders: 16, 3/11/2007

Fewest Leaders: 7, 3/5/2000

Most Lead Changes: 25 - 3/7/1999 and 3/13/2005

Fewest Lead Changes: 12 - 3/1/2009

Most Laps Led: 219 - Jeff Gordon, 2/28/2010

Most Laps Led by a Race Winner: 127 - Tony Stewart, 3/11/2011

Fewest Laps Led by a Race Winner: 1 - Jimmie Johnson 3/12/2006

Most Wins by Manufacturer: 7 - Ford; 6 - Chevy; 2 - Toyota; 1 - Dodge

Closest Margin of Victory: 0.045 second - Jimmie Johnson over Matt Kenseth, 3/12/2006

Greatest Margin of Victory: 9.104 seconds - Matt Kenseth over Dale Earnhardt Jr., 3/2/2003

Former NASCAR Cafe demolished as part of Sahara renovation: Demolition work continued Friday at the Sahara where workers began dismantling the former NASCAR Cafe. The work was just a small part of the ongoing renovation project, which also calls for stripping down and remodeling two of the property's three hotel towers and demolishing a low-rise hotel building. The 1,620-room property is scheduled to reopen in fall 2014 as the SLS Las Vegas, a rebirth for a storied Strip resort that fell on hard times in the recession and finally closed in May 2011 after punishingly low room rates made it economically viable. Remodeling at the Sahara began in February, after Los Angeles-based owner SBE Entertainment got the final piece of $415 million in financing to overhaul the buildings. When it reopens, the SLS Las Vegas will include restaurants such as Umami Burger and nightclubs including Shelter, as well as seven outlets belonging to Fred Segal, an upscale clothing retailer based in California.(Las Vegas Review Journal)(5-14-2013)

Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week Celebrates Five Years In Las Vegas: NASCAR announced that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards  the annual culmination of Champion's Week  will be held on Friday, Dec. 6 at Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nev., for the fifth consecutive year. From 1981 until 2008, NASCAR held its year-ending premier series awards show in New York City. Starting in 2009, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards has been held in Las Vegas, a destination that has triggered an entertainment evolution for the fan-favorite show.
Last year's show alone featured host Howie Mandel, Train, Phillip Phillips, Lifehouse with Natasha Bedingfield and Cirque du Soleil: The Beatles LOVE. Among other A-List entertainment acts who have performed since the move to Vegas include Reba, Kid Rock, Brooks and Dunn, David Gray, Rascal Flatts, Colbie Caillat, Martina McBride, Jersey Boys, Cirque du Soleil's "Viva ELVIS" and Frank Caliendo.
"Every single week, NASCAR creates the big-event experience, so it's fitting that our year-end celebration of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion takes place in a city built on major moments," said Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer. "Las Vegas has been home to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards for five years, and each year it grows bigger, better and more entertaining for our fans. Undoubtedly, this milestone Champion's Week will continue  and heighten  that tradition."
"Two of the world's most recognizable brands, NASCAR and Las Vegas, have developed a strong and successful partnership that delivers unrivaled excitement to millions of loyal fans," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. "We're proud to celebrate this milestone as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards and its Champion's Week return for the fifth year, proving that no destination matches the passion and energy of NASCAR like Las Vegas."
A full lineup of events or activities during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week will be announced at a later date.(NASCAR)(5-6-2013)

Sam's Town renews Las Vegas Nationwide race sponsorship: Boyd Gaming and Las Vegas Motor Speedway announced a milestone agreement that extend the company's sponsorship of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at LVMS for four more years. The entitlement has been in place since 1998, and the new agreement will extend Boyd Gaming's sponsorship to 20 years. Boyd Gaming is the parent company of Sam's Town and eight other casino properties throughout the Las Vegas Valley. "We've been very fortunate to have the best title sponsor in the Nationwide Series," LVMS president Chris Powell said. "The event (Sam's Town 300) has become one of the most popular on the circuit, and our friends at Boyd Gaming share a great deal of responsibility for that success."(NASCAR Wire Service)(3-9-2013)

Lowe's extends sponsorship of Vegas race: Lowe's Companies Inc. will continue its successful partnership with Las Vegas Motor Speedway by remaining the title sponsor of its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. An extension of the agreement was announced in Las Vegas as the Kobalt Tools 400 weekend kicked off. "Lowe's is a company with a long and storied history in NASCAR, and has been a wonderful partner for the past three years," said LVMS president Chris Powell. "We're very excited that they have decided to extend the agreement, and we're looking forward to helping Lowe's build its brand within the NASCAR community and beyond." The event, which has been known as the Kobalt Tools 400 since the partnership began in 2011, has been one of the best-attended and highest-rated events on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit. The race has ranked in the top five in both attendance and ratings over the past 10 years.(LVMS)(3-9-2013)

Teams test Thursday at Las Vegas: Sprint Cup teams typically get only about three hours of practice on a race weekend. They will get more than six hours on Thursday alone at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and then about three more hours on Friday and Saturday. The key for drivers and crew chiefs during Thursday's one-day test session will be to not only find pure speed in the car but also find ways for it to handle better in traffic. The test, which will not count against the four-per-organization allotment for the year, is key for smaller teams that don't test often at non-Cup tracks. NASCAR opted to open Las Vegas, the first 1.5-mile track on a 36-race schedule that includes 11 races at 1.5-mile tracks, a day early for testing rather than have the teams using one of their four allotted tests this early in the year. Teams will be allowed to have telemetry on the cars for the day of testing and change engines after the test. NASCAR will begin its regular race weekend with technical inspection Friday morning, followed by practice and qualifying.(Sporting News)
AND: Race fans are invited to watch NASCAR's new "Gen6" Sprint Cup Series cars test at LVMS. The grandstands will be open, free of charge, to the public.(LVMS)(3-7-2012)

Kobalt Social Media Command Center to debut at LVMS: Las Vegas Motor Speedway is taking social networking to a new level with the brand-new Kobalt Social Media Command Center during the March 7-10 NASCAR Weekend. The social media hub, located in the Neon Garage, will host computers accompanied by large video monitors and screens that will give fans a live view of social networking by some of the top personalities in NASCAR. Guests from Team Lowe's Racing, NASCAR, LVMS, Sprint and news media will take seats regularly in the command center to communicate with fans and share real-time information throughout the weekend. Feeds from drivers, fans, race teams and sponsors will be tracked and displayed on monitors from the second floor of the Neon Garage.(More info and hours of operation at LVMS.com)(3-6-2013)

NASCAR Hauler Parade on Las Vegas Blvd.: The NASCAR Hauler Parade, the traditional kick-off for Las Vegas Motor Speedway's NASCAR Weekend, will take place on Wednesday evening this year as the 1.5-mile superspeedway will host a full day of Sprint Cup Series practice on Thursday. The popular NASCAR Hauler Parade will thunder up the world-famous Las Vegas Strip at 6 p.m.  under the fabulous neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip  on Wednesday, March 6. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice  originally scheduled for late January  has been moved to Thursday, March 7. Practice will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the grandstands will be open to the public, free of charge. The colorful 18-wheelers that carry the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race cars and equipment to the tracks will be staged throughout the day at the South Point Hotel & Casino on Las Vegas Blvd.
The parade will begin near the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign at 6 p.m. The haulers will move north on Las Vegas Boulevard and proceed approximately five miles to Sahara Avenue to enter Interstate 15 North to complete the journey to LVMS. More than 50 haulers are expected to take part in the parade. Race fans will be able to watch the hauler parade from both sides of the Strip and from any of the properties along Las Vegas Boulevard.
NASCAR Weekend racing at the superspeedway begins on Friday, March 8 with Stratosphere Pole Day. The NASCAR Nationwide Series takes center stage on Saturday, March 9 with the annual Sam's Town 300 at 1:15 p.m. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 400 is scheduled to start at noon on Sunday, March 11.
The extended race weekend begins Wednesday, March 6 with World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars on LVMS's half-mile Dirt Track. Tickets for NASCAR Weekend are on sale at www.lvms.com or by calling (800) 644-4444. Neon Garage passes, Lucky 7 preferred parking and driver introduction passes also are available.(LVMS)(3-5-2013)

LVMS gears up for races, slightly alters traffic patterns: Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials are gearing up for 130,000 visitors for the Kobalt Tools 400 on March 10. As always, getting that many people into one place and out again will be a challenge.(see full story and diagram/map at the Las Vegas Review Journal)(3-5-2013)

Las Vegas Taxi drivers strike enters second day with no reports of disruptions: The taxi drivers strike against Yellow Checker Star Transportation went into its second day on Monday with no reports of service disruptions amid a relatively light week for conventions. Nevertheless, the Nevada Taxicab Authority issued on a temporary basis 20 new operating permits called medallions to each of the 13 taxi brands not facing a work stoppage. The medallions could put as many as 260 cabs on the street, more than a typical day if Yellow Checker Star's numbers on how many drivers came to work are correct.(see full story at the Las Vegas Review Journal)(3-5-2013)

NASCAR Weekend at LVMS to provide boon to local economy: Since its inception in 1998, Las Vegas Motor Speedway's annual NASCAR Weekend has pumped billions of dollars into the economy of Southern Nevada. That's right & billions. With a "b." When America's No. 1 spectator sport makes its 16th visit to Las Vegas next week, local businesses should expect another prosperous week as race fans fill hotels, restaurants, shows and gaming areas. Last year, LVMS's NASCAR Weekend  the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, Sam's Town 300 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Stratosphere Pole Day  registered a $240 million economic impact on the Las Vegas area.
"NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas is about much more than race tickets, lodging, rental cars and concessions," said LVMS president Chris Powell. "It's about employment. We employ thousands of people on race weekend. Our fans also contribute to employment across the valley, including servers, bartenders, skycaps, taxi drivers and valet personnel who make their living from tips. Part-time workers supplement the family income with race-weekend employment. This event affects just about every worker in town."
According to Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority research, 71% of the fans come from out of town. Aside from the obvious hotel-room and rental-car sales, millions of dollars in revenue are generated in areas not always considered when NASCAR comes to town. "NASCAR Weekend has attracted millions of tourists to Las Vegas," said former Las Vegas Mayor and current LVCVA Host Committee Chair Oscar Goodman. "Our visitors from around the world attend shows and concerts, purchase transportation, dine in the restaurants, shop in our world-class retail
stores and enjoy our many fabulous entertainment options. They also love the weather and the natural beauty of the valley. There is so much to see and do here. "When the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series first came to Las Vegas in 1998, merchants and hospitality executives were afraid the fans would merely go to the track, watch the race and then go home. That simply wasn't true. Each dollar spent here benefits many, many people. NASCAR Weekend, from a revenue and employment standpoint, is one of the biggest annual events in Las Vegas and it continues to grow."
During the Sprint Cup event, the speedway property swells to become Nevada's fourth-largest city. It takes a lot of people to stage an event the size of NASCAR Weekend, including ushers, ticket-takers, marketing and hospitality staff, concession and souvenir workers, security personnel, medical professionals, entertainers and a large maintenance crew. The speedway alone employs approximately 2,000 people to work the event weekend. In 2012, more than $130,000 was paid out to various non-profit groups who operated concession and souvenir stands. Approximately 400 airmen from Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases "volunteer" for the event. Their units are paid as a result of their work, which allows them to use the money for other activities.
LVMS pays for law enforcement, fire and traffic-control personnel during NASCAR Weekend  even the men who place the orange cones on Las Vegas Boulevard and Interstate-15.
Local support, in the form of event sponsorship, has been solid over the years with Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall (and its parent company, Boyd Gaming) providing title sponsorship of the Saturday Nationwide race since 1998 and the Stratosphere sponsoring Pole Day for the past three years.
ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS FOR LVMS NASCAR WEEKEND
Year Total economic impact
2012 $240,605,600
2011 $194,699,000
2010 $165,767,400
2009 $154,291,800
2008 $189,762,900
2007 $198,077,500
2006 $197,891,200
2005 $167,000,000
2004 $142,000,000
2003 $133,000,000
2002 $121,425,500
2001 $97,163,700
2000 No data compiled
1999 $121,931,100
1998 $116,240,600
(Source: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority)
Tickets for LVMS's March 7-10 NASCAR Weekend are on sale at www.lvms.com or by calling (800) 644-4444. Neon Garage tickets, Lucky 7 preferred parking and driver introduction passes also are available.(LVMS)(3-5-2013)

LVMS opening superspeedway for NASCAR testing March 7: Las Vegas Motor Speedway has set aside one day for NASCAR Sprint Cup teams to test at the 1.5-mile superspeedway in preparation for the Kobalt Tools 400 on Thursday, March 7. The test session will be free and open to the public. NASCAR's announcement last week that it would allow all NASCAR Sprint Cup racing organizations to have four tests (not including Daytona) prompted speedway officials to open up the dates on the speedway's calendar. "Before the testing ban was implemented, every major race team used Las Vegas as a key test heading into the season," said LVMS president Chris Powell. "There are a lot of tracks very similar to Las Vegas, so between the favorable January weather and the amount of data that can be collected by testing here, we hope many of the teams will choose to test in Las Vegas prior to the start of the season." NASCAR prohibited testing at tracks hosting Sprint Cup events following the 2008 season. Up until 2008, NASCAR test sessions at LVMS routinely drew 30 drivers or more for the two-day test sessions. Tickets for the March 10 Kobalt Tools 400, March 9 Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide race and March 8 Stratosphere Pole Day are on sale now at www.lvms.com or by calling 1-800-644-4444. (LVMS), NOTE: the test had been scheduled for Jan 28-29, 2013, but is now March 7th.(1-19-2013)

Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is Nevada's largest drive-through Holiday Light Show. With millions of LED lights and more than 450 spectacular animated light displays along a 2.5 mile course, Glittering Lights is sure to impress children and adults of all ages. New displays this year include a tribute to NASCAR. Glittering Lights will also feature a live nativity scene each Saturday from November 24 through December 29.
PRICES/EVENT TIMES:
$15 per car Sunday through Thursday - 5:30 p.m. through 9 p.m.
$20 per car on Friday and Saturday - 5:30 p.m. through 10 p.m.
Tour buses are welcome, but must be under 11 ft. high. Admission for buses is $1 per person with a $20 minimum
Another exciting addition this year is the AVENUE OF TREES. Recipients of Speedway Children's Charities (SCC) 2012 grants will be represented throughout the AVENUE OF TREES with a fully lit tree and custom sign. Each children's organization selected will be invited to decorate a tree to represent their mission in our community. SCC is proud to provide grants for hundreds of children's charities throughout southern Nevada that meet the direct needs of children.(LVMS)(11-24-2012)

Walmart offers Special Las Vegas NASCAR Holiday Ticket Packages: Walmart is putting some NASCAR in the holiday season for race fans by offering one of the best ticket packages in the sport at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Walmart Family Track Pack is available for race fans planning to attend the March 10, 2013 Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The special package allows race fans to buy four tickets and receive vouchers for four hot dogs and four soft drinks for $99. The seats are in Section 4 of the 1.5-mile superspeedway. "Walmart is delivering a wonderful holiday gift to families who want to be a part of one of the most highly anticipated events on the NASCAR circuit," LVMS president Chris Powell said. "This is the ultimate offer for people who want to bring the whole family to the largest sporting event in Nevada." The offer will be available beginning Monday [11/19] and will extend through the holiday season. Fans can purchase the tickets by visiting lvms.com/holiday or by calling (800) 644-4444.(LVMS)(11-19-2012)

Bruton Smith comments on many NASCAR issues: Bruton Smith, the eccentric billionaire whose Speedway Motorsports Inc. owns eight NASCAR tracks, held court in the Texas Motor Speedway media center on Saturday and addressed a wide range of subjects. Here are some selected notes from his lengthy media session:
• Smith said NASCAR needs to work at "making the racing more exciting." He said NASCAR has made some good moves in recent years - notably double-file restarts - but needs to implement additional improvements. Smith's primary suggestion to improve the racing is to slow the cars down and thus make it easier for drivers to make bold moves.
• Races with too many long green-flag runs are not exciting, Smith said, and he suggested a smaller fuel tank would force drivers to make more pit stops. Fuel-mileage races, he said, are "boring, boring, boring." One solution could be a minimum number of cautions per race to serve as TV timeouts.
• Drivers are "maybe not as eager" right now and NASCAR needs more racers who have a "mean streak."
• Despite a decline in TV ratings and attendance, Smith is still supportive of the Chase. He sounded concerned, though, that the playoff drivers get treated with kid gloves.
• There are no plans to make further adjustments to Bristol's racing surface after a drama-filled night race in August.
• No consideration has been given to moving an SMI race to give Las Vegas a second date, Smith said. He remains hopeful NASCAR will someday see the value in rewarding Vegas with another race.
see more at SB Nation.(11-4-2012)

Las Vegas sets aside days for Cup teams to test: Las Vegas Motor Speedway has set aside two days for NASCAR Sprint Cup teams to test at the 1.5-mile superspeedway in preparation for the Kobalt Tools 400. NASCAR's announcement last week that it would allow all NASCAR Sprint Cup racing organizations to have four tests (not including Daytona) prompted speedway officials to open up the dates on the speedway's calendar. "Before the testing ban was implemented, every major race team used Las Vegas as a key test heading into the season," said LVMS president Chris Powell. "There are a lot of tracks very similar to Las Vegas, so between the favorable January weather and the amount of data that can be collected by testing here, we hope many of the teams will choose to test in Las Vegas prior to the start of the season."(LVMS)(10-5-2012)

Expect show-down, surprise winner or both at LVMS: Las Vegas Motor Speedway will present a doubleheader -- the Smith's 350 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, paired with Global RallyCross -- on Saturday, Sept. 29. Over the years, the Camping World Truck Series races have earned a reputation of producing first-time winners and thrilling green-white-checkered finishes. Last year, Ron Hornaday Jr. held off a late-race challenge by Matt Crafton to take the victory -- his only win ever at LVMS. Johnny Sauter won his first-ever NASCAR Truck Series race in the 2009 Smith's 350. Todd Bodine grabbed the lead from Ted Musgrave on the final lap to win the 2005 Smith's 350. This season is shaping up for more fireworks when the drivers get to Las Vegas. Four first-time winners have been crowned in the series' past five races. Young Ryan Blaney was a surprise winner last week in Newton, Iowa. Ty Dillon scored his first NASCAR win in the Truck Series at Atlanta on Aug. 31 and Nelson Piquet Jr. did likewise in Michigan on Aug. 18. Joey Coulter started the run by winning his first NASCAR race on Aug. 4 at Pocono, Pa. Just 11 points separate the top three drivers in the series as the season winds down. Leader Ty Dillon is just eight points ahead of Timothy Peters. James Buescher is three points behind Peters -- and all three are battling to win their first championship. In the 15 Smith's 350s held at LVMS, only two repeat winners have emerged: Jack Sprague (1996, 1998) and Mike Skinner (2006, 2008).(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(9-24-2012)

Las Vegas to host free fanfest on Fremont Street Nov. 28: Las Vegas Motor Speedway will kick off NASCAR Champion's Week in Las Vegas with a fanfest at the Fremont Street Experience on Wednesday, Nov. 28. This will be the first event involving the 12 Chase drivers during this year's celebration of the NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. The event is free to the public. The highlight of the event will be an Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader-type show involving the 12 Chase drivers. Carrot Top, who stars in his own one-man show at the Luxor, will be on hand to host the game show. The fifth graders will come from Lomie Heard Elementary School, located on Nellis Air Force Base. The event, which will be held on the Third Street Stage on Fremont Street adjacent to the Fremont Hotel and Casino, will begin at 2 p.m. The drivers will walk a red carpet through the crowd en route to the stage.(LVMS)(9-14-2012)

Las Vegas race makes $240 million impact on local economy: The 2012 Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas made its largest economic impact on the Las Vegas community in the 15-year history of the event. This year also marked the fourth consecutive year that the economic impact has seen an increase over the previous year. This year's event, held March 9-11, contributed $240,605,600 to the local economy, according to figures released by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. That represents a staggering 26.3-percent increase in economic impact over the 2011 event. The LVCVA study found that 71 percent of fans attending the race came from out of town and 13 percent travelled from out of the country. The study also reported that 75 percent of the attendees of this year's race stayed in a local hotel compared with 64 percent in 2011.(LVMS)(7-18-2012)

Vegas offering discounted hotel rooms for early ticket buyers: Las Vegas Motor Speedway has struck a deal with two prominent hotels on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip to reward early ticket buyers with discounted hotel rooms for the 2013 NASCAR Weekend. For the first time, the speedway is able to offer special rates for race fans who purchase or renew their tickets by June 1. The special rates will be available at The Stratosphere Hotel, Casino & Tower and the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino. The Stratosphere Hotel, Casino & Tower, located at the north end of the Strip, is offering rooms starting at $39 per night (March 6 and 7), $99 (March 8 and 9) and $59 (March 10). Fans are directed to call (800) 998-6937 by June 1 to obtain these special rates and use promo code NASEB13. The Monte Carlo Resort & Casino is offering rooms at $63 (March 6, 7, 10 and 11) and $113 (March 8 and 9). Customers may also upgrade to a Monaco Suite at the Monte Carlof or only an additional $30 per night. To reserve rooms at the special rate at the Monte Carlo, call (888) 529-4828 and use booking code XLVMS13.(LVMS)(4-28-2012)

Las Vegas expecting good traffic flow for fans: Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials are expecting another year of smooth vehicle flow for the upcoming NASCAR Weekend. One major point of emphasis to further improve the outbound progression will be the prevention of illegal parking along Hollywood Boulevard. Cars parked on the sides of Hollywood in areas designated with No Parking signs will be towed to lots throughout the Las Vegas area. While commuting by car should be trouble-free, the speedway still encourages fans to use mass transit to attend the races. For the fourth consecutive year, Coach America will service the event. In 2009, Coach America replaced CAT as the preferred transit organization for the events at LVMS. Race fans may contact Coach America at www.nascar.coachamerica.com or (702) 948-7360. For those wishing to take a private charter to the races, LVMS recommends Key Tours. Key Tours has been providing service to the speedway for several years, and we vouch for the quality of its service. Key Tours can be contacted at www.keytourslv.com or (800) 261-2691. To reserve seats on either the Coach America or Key Tours buses, please go to www.LVMS.com and click on the "Getting to the Races" link in the NASCAR Weekend Quick Links box. The speedway will continue to crack down on the fraudulent use of handicapped placards. Speedway security will be checking the validity of handicapped passes on each vehicle. General parking is free at LVMS.(LVMS)(3-5-2012)

Tim Allen to serve as Las Vegas grand marshal: Popular television star Tim Allen will serve as grand marshal for the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 11. Allen, who currently stars in the "Last Man Standing" sitcom on ABC-TV on Tuesday nights, will give the command to start engines for the annual race."I love the track, the crowds, the cars - I'm thrilled to be the grand marshal for this NASCAR race in Vegas. To have all those engines roar to life at my command? That's a powerful thing. Hell yes, I'm excited! It's going to be a great day," Allen said. The 58-year-old Allen boasts a lengthy and successful career in television and motion pictures. He was the star of the hit 1991-1999 sitcom, "Home Improvement" and "The Santa Clause" movie series, to name just two. The Kobalt Tools 400 is scheduled to start at 12noon/pt on Sunday, March 11. LVMS has added an exciting new feature to this year's NASCAR Weekend: fan access to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers' meeting on Sunday morning. Weather permitting, the pre-race drivers' meeting will be held in the Neon Garage, adjacent to the main stage and fans holding a weekend or Sunday Neon Garage pass are invited to attend.
The race weekend kicks off Wednesday, March 7 with IMCA Modified and West Coast Late Model racing at the recently-resurfaced half-mile Dirt Track. The World of Outlaws Sprint Cars Series will take center stage at the Dirt Track on Thursday, March 8 and will be joined by the 360 Sprint Car Series. Tickets for the NASCAR Weekend are on sale at www.lvms.com or by calling (800) 644-4444. Neon Garage passes, Lucky 7 preferred parking and driver introduction passes also are available.(LVMS)(3-1-2012)

Las Vegas Motor Speedway presents Daytona 500 viewing parties: The 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season will open on Sunday, Feb. 26 with the Daytona 500. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is presenting nine 95.5 KWNR Vegas Country Daytona 500 viewing parties throughout the Las Vegas area. Doors will open at all locations at 9:00am. Guests can win LVMS NASCAR Weekend tickets and Kobalt Tools tool kits and enjoy special prices on Budweiser beer and mixed drinks at all locations. All guests must be at least 21 years of age. More info and locations at lvms.com(LVMS)(2-20-2012)

Las Vegas race fans can get a free night of lodging at the Stratosphere: Las Vegas is a city known for its "comps" and "dealmaking" and the Stratosphere Las Vegas has an incredible offer for race fans. With the Buy Two and Get One Free promotion, anyone who buys weekend tickets for the March 9-11 NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will get one night of a three-night hotel stay paid for by Stratosphere in addition to many other benefits. The Stratosphere will be sponsoring its second annual Pole Day qualifying on March 9 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Pole Day kicks off the three-day weekend that includes the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The free night's lodging is just the beginning of the perks Stratosphere is offering race fans. Race fans taking part in this offer will receive free access throughout the race weekend to the 113-story Stratosphere Tower, one free entry into a Speedway of Cash slot tournament being held during race week, two-for-one tickets to the stage show BITE, $10 off tickets to headliner Frankie Moreno Live at Stratosphere and discounts in the salon and spa. Beginning today, any race fan who purchases a weekend package to the NASCAR Weekend in either the Petty or Earnhardt Terraces at LVMS is eligible for the free night at the hotel. In addition to the tickets, the Stratosphere package is $299 and includes the lodging as well as the other amenities. Race fans can choose to stay either Thursday-Saturday or Friday-Monday. To take advantage of this offer, please call the LVMS ticket office at 1-800-644-4444. This offer is only available over the phone and will be in place as long as rooms remain available.(LVMS)(1-25-2012)

Las Vegas holding audition for National Anthem singer: For the fourth consecutive year, one local singer will receive a one-of-a-kind opportunity to perform before the start of the Sam's Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Race sponsor Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, KVVU-FOX 5 and LVMS are staging an open audition called Speedway Superstar to find a vocalist to sing the national anthem prior to the March 10 NASCAR Nationwide Series event at the speedway. The first audition will be conducted Saturday, Jan. 21 at Sam's Town on Boulder Highway. All performers must sing the national anthem a cappella. The top 25 singers chosen will advance to the next round of competition on Saturday, Jan. 28. On that day, the local winner will be announced. The local winner will then compete in a "sing off" with a winner from another Sam's Town property at LVMS on Thursday, March 8 with the winner singing the anthem for the race. The Jan. 21 auditions will begin at 10 a.m. Registration will open at 9 a.m. Anyone wishing to audition must arrive at Sam's Town before noon on Jan 21. The first 150 applicants are guaranteed an audition.(LVMS)(1-14-2012)

Fans can attend drivers' meeting prior to Kobalt Tools 400 in Las Vegas: Race fans who've wondered exactly what transpires in the drivers' meeting prior to a NASCAR event will get their opportunity to learn for themselves during the 2012 NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. For the first time ever at LVMS, race fans will be able to attend the pre-race drivers' meeting for the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. Weather permitting, the meeting will take place adjacent to the main stage in the center of the Neon Garage. NASCAR Weekend is composed of the Kobalt Tools 400 Sprint Cup event on March 11, preceded by the Sam's Town 300 Nationwide Series event on March 10 and Stratosphere Pole Day on March 9. Race fans can obtain tickets and Neon Garage passes online at www.lvms.com or by calling 1-800-644-4444.(LVMS)(1-4-2012)