Some numbers for the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas:
0 - number of Sprint Cup races won from a starting spot outside the top 25 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
0 - number of times Sprint Cup qualifying has been cancelled at LVMS
1 - number of wins from the pole in the previous 13 races (2009 - Kyle Busch)
2 - fewest number of cautions for a race (twice, most recently 2000)
6 - number of jet dryers available for track drying at LVMS this weekend
7 - number of cautions for last year's race (seven for 29 laps)
13 - fewest lead changes in the previous 13 races (2000) *14*- most cautions for a race at the 1.5-mile track (2009)
18 - number of lead changes in last year's race
24 - number of cautions in first two Sprint Cup races of 2011; 15 after two races in 2010
28 - most lead changes in previous 13 races (2007)
30 - most cars on the lead lap at finish (2006); fewest cars on the lead lap (10 twice - most recently, 1999)
42 - most cars running at the finish (2000)
66 - most caution laps for a Sprint Cup race at LVMS (2009); fewest caution laps (nine - 1998) *120*- minutes, the amount of time it takes to dry the 1.5-mile track after a significant rainfall Provided by Dodge Motorsports
(Darnell Communications/Dodge)(3-4-2011)

2011 Pole Sitter: #17-Matt Kenseth, 188.884, finished 11th

Current Track Config Qualifying Record: Matt Kenseth, 3/4/2011, 188.884

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

2011 Race Winner: #99-Carl Edwards, 135.508, started 3rd

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

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

Most Top 5s: 6 - Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon

Most Top 10s: 10 - Mark Martin

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: 123 - Matt Kenseth, 3/7/2004

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

Most Wins by Manufacturer: 7 - Ford; 5 - Chevy; 1 - Dodge; 1 - Toyota

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

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)

Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway [thru 1/1/2012]: Las Vegas Motor Speedway will host Glittering Lights during the holiday season. Formerly known as Gift of Lights, the experience will run nightly through Sunday, Jan. 1. Glittering Lights will open at 5 p.m. each night, including Christmas, and run until 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $15 per vehicle and $2 from every car visiting the experience will go to the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. This year’s display will feature more than 400 animated displays creating a 2.5-mile drive-through course. Glittering Lights will also feature Santa’s Village, a heated snow castle tent and free photo opportunities with Christmas characters. For more information on Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, visit www.VegasGlitteringLights.com.(12-1-2011)

Vegas race dates moves back two weeks: Nevada’s largest annual sports weekend has a new date for 2012. Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s NASCAR Weekend is scheduled for March 9-11, 2012, a week later than in recent years. Again in 2012, the Kobalt Tools 400 is scheduled to be the third stop on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tour. The 2012 event will mark the 15th visit of NASCAR’s most elite series to Las Vegas’s 1.5-mile superspeedway. The Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series event will precede the NASCAR Sprint Cup event on Saturday, March 10. Stratosphere Pole Day for the Kobalt Tools 400 will be held Friday, March 9. “We’re very excited about this new date,” said Chris Powell, LVMS general manager. “Even though we’re just a few months removed from this past year’s event, we already are in the process of renewing tickets for the 2012 event, and the renewals are coming in at a strong pace. NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas has become one of the most significant events on the motorsports calendar, as evidenced by the tremendous crowds that turn out all three days. The new date should further increase the anticipation that race fans have for this event.” The 2011 event drew more than 300,000 people to LVMS and generated more than $198 million for the local economy. Times for all events will be announced at a later date. FOX Sports will televise the Kobalt Tools 400 for the 12th consecutive year. Television information for the Sam’s Town 300 will be announced later. Tickets as well as Neon Garage, Lucky 7 Preferred parking and driver introduction passes are on sale now by logging on to lvms.com or calling 1-800-644-4444.(LVMS)(9-9-2011)

LVMS NASCAR Weekend shows dramatic increase in economic impact: The 2011 NASCAR Weekend once again proved to be a huge economic windfall for the Las Vegas economy. This year’s event posted the third-highest financial impact on the community in the 14-year history of the event. This year’s event, held March 4-6, contributed $194,699,000 to the local economy, according to figures released by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. That represents a staggering 17.4-percent increase in economic impact over the 2010 event. The survey showed that race fans attending this year’s event spent an average of $252 more per person that fans attending the 2010 event. However, ticket prices remained steady and the average rate for a room dropped by $7 per night. The race weekend included the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, Stratosphere Pole Day and two nights of dirt-track racing for USAC and the World of Outlaws. Tickets for the 2012 NASCAR Weekend already are on sale at www.lvms.com or 1-800-644-4444.(LVMS)(8-20-2011)

Sahara Hotel & Casino closing in May; the NASCAR Cafe? Sahara Hotel & Casino [in Las Vegas] announced that it plans to close on May 16, 2011. The hotel houses the NASCAR Cafe, no word on the fate of the attraction/restaurant. The NASCAR Cafe offers American fare on the Las Vegas Strip, features authentic NASCAR stock cars and the world's largest Pontiac Gran Prix stock car, designed by Dale Earnhardt. The Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas opened its doors in 1952 and offers 1,720 classically styled guestrooms and Las Vegas suites decorated in a Moroccan motif.(Sahara Hotel & Casino)(3-12-2011)

Edwards wins at Las Vegas: #99-Carl won the Kobalt Tools 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for his 1st win of 2011 and the 19th win of his career. He took the lead by taking two tires during green flag pit stops near the end of the race. #14-Stewart, who dominated most of the race and lost the lead by taking 4 tires during his final pit, finished 2nd, followed by #42-Montoya, #9-Ambrose, #39-Newman, #56-Truex, Jr., #11-Hamlin, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., #22-Busch, and #83-Vickers. Pole sitter #17-Kenseth cut a tire early and battled back to finish 11th. Point leader coming into the race, #18-Kurt Busch lost an engine. He finished 38th.
Stewart and Kurt Busch now share the points lead with 113 points. They are 7 points ahead of #14-Stewart & #42-Montoya.
There were 21 lead changes among 14 leaders with 7 cautions for 35 laps.
See race results, awards and more on the Las Vegas Race Results page.
For points standings, see the Drivers Points Standings page and the Owners Points Standings page.(3-6-2011)

Matt Goss, Phantom’s Hertzenberg, USAF Thunderbirds at LVMS: He sings of “Lovely Las Vegas” in the Las Vegas Motor Speedway NASCAR commercials and Sunday morning he’ll serenade the assembled multitude prior to the start of Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Kobalt Tools 400. British-born Matt Goss headlines every Friday and Saturday night in the Gossy Room inside Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino. The London Daily Mail refers to him as “Las Vegas’ new Frank Sinatra,” but U.K. fans know him as one-third of the late-‘80s pop group Bros. “I’m thrilled to be apart of the NASCAR pre-race show and to perform my song ‘Lovely Las Vegas’ to the crowd of 145,000 fans,” said Goss, who met Sinatra when he was 21. “They’ve all come to know the song as part of NASCAR’s promotional campaign this spring and it’s a treat to be able to perform it for them alive as well as to the televised audience.”
Kristen Hertzenberg will sing the national anthem prior to the command to start engines for Sunday’s race. Originally from the Houston area, Kristen originally aspired to opera and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Voice from the University of Texas at Austin. As Hertzenberg sings the closing words of the national anthem, the world-famous U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will perform their patented flyover to bring a crescendo to the pre-race festivities. Tickets for all NASCAR Weekend events are on sale at www.lvms.com or by calling (800) 644-4444.(LVMS)(3-3-2011)

Aspiring Las Vegas singer John-Philip Bowen to sing NNS national anthem: John-Philip Bowen hopes to begin a new chapter in his singing career on Saturday, March 5 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Bowen, a Las Vegas resident and aspiring entertainer, won the recent FOX 5 TV Speedway Superstar competition and will sing the national anthem prior to the start of the Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Bowen, a 30-year-old employee at Open Top Sightseeing Tours, has been singing in national performances for several years but will experience his first NASCAR race at LVMS on March 5. Race sponsor Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall and FOX 5 TV staged an open audition to find a talent to sing the national anthem and chose Bowen out of more than 120 contestants. Tickets for all events are on sale at www.lvms.com or by calling (800) 644-4444.(LVMS)(3-3-2011)

Displaced Super Bowl fans to enjoy NASCAR Weekend: When the NFL and the country’s largest football stadium dropped the ball on hundreds of disappointed football fans, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Stratosphere Hotel, Casino & Tower recovered the fumble and scored a touchdown with many of them. Earlier this month, LVMS and the country’s tallest hotel-tower partnered to offer tickets to the March 4-6 NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas to those who were displaced from their seats at this year’s Super Bowl. A total of 34 fans took advantage of the speedway’s offer. The displaced football fans who took advantage of the free ticket offer also were placed in a random drawing to win airfare and three nights of accommodations at the Stratosphere as well. Amanda Saldana of San Antonio, Texas was one of the hapless pigskin fans who sailed through the uprights in Las Vegas. She not only received free NASCAR Weekend tickets, but also won one of the four drawings for airfare and a hotel stay. Other winners responded from as far away as Valencia, Pa., New Berlin, Wis., Charlotte, N.C. and Pittsburgh. Tickets for all events, Neon Garage passes and Lucky 7 parking permits are on sale at www.lvms.com or by calling (800) 644-4444.(LVMS)(3-2-2011)

NASCAR Hauler Parade to kick off NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas: The popular NASCAR Hauler Parade once again will thunder up the world-famous Las Vegas Strip to kick off NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas. The 2011 edition of the NASCAR Hauler Parade will begin at 6 p.m. – under the fabulous neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip – on Thursday, March 3. The evening starting time will allow more fans to view and enjoy the parade.
The colorful 18-wheelers that carry the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series race cars and equipment to the tracks will be staged at approximately 6 p.m. at the South Point Hotel & Casino on Las Vegas Blvd. Once all trucks are lined up, the haulers will move north on Las Vegas Boulevard. The haulers will proceed approximately five miles to Sahara Avenue before entering Interstate 15 to complete the journey to the speedway.
The speedway expects 60-75 haulers to take part in the parade, which will conclude with the haulers arriving at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in preparation for the March 6 Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. 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. Tickets for all events are on sale at www.lvms.com or by calling (800) 644-4444.(LVMS)(3-1-2011)

LVMS expects smooth traffic flow for NASCAR Weekend: Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials are expecting another year of smooth vehicle flow for the upcoming NASCAR Weekend thanks to improvements made last year to Interstate 15. While commuting by car should be trouble-free, the speedway still encourages fans to use mass transit to attend the races. For the third 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. The speedway also has a video feature to assist drivers. Videos depicting the preferred entry and exit from the speedway may now be found online. The speedway’s new phone application for iPhones and Android phones is a new tool to assist race fans as they enter and exit the speedway. Tickets for all events, Neon Garage passes and Lucky 7 parking permits are on sale at www.lvms.com or by calling (800) 644-4444.(LVMS)(3-1-2011)

Las Vegas offers free NASCAR tickets to displaced Super Bowl fans: Where the NFL and the country’s largest football stadium failed 400 disappointed football fans, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Stratosphere Hotel, Casino and Tower have come through. The speedway and the country’s tallest hotel-tower have partnered to offer tickets to the March 4-6 NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas to those who were displaced from their seats at Sunday’s Super Bowl. Some of the fans may also win airfare and three nights of accommodations at the Stratosphere as well. Fans who show proof of their displacement at the Super Bowl and choose to accept LVMS’s offer will receive a ticket to NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas. Among those fans, four will have their names drawn and will receive three room nights in new Stratosphere Select accommodations at the Stratosphere in Las Vegas. In order to take advantage of this offer, those displaced will need to contact Aubrey Hall at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at 1-800-644-4444 ext. 8251 and show proof of their displacement.(LVMS)(2-8-2011)

PBR executive named to head LVMS sales team: Kevin Camper has been named senior vice president of sales and marketing for Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Camper comes to LVMS from his post as chief partnership and sales officer for the Professional Bull Riders Association. Prior to his stint at the PBR, Camper served as vice president of sales and marketing for Texas Motor Speedway. Camper, 39, is a graduate of Liberty University. He worked for the Texas Rangers before joining the Texas Motor Speedway sales team in 1996. Camper will relocate to Las Vegas with his wife, Meredith; son, Chase; and daughter, Emma.(LVMS)(1-20-2011)

LVMS to launch major youth initiative for NASCAR Weekend: Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be an extremely youth-friendly place during the March 4-6 NASCAR Weekend.
Thanks to a partnership with Smith’s Food & Drug Stores, the Smith’s Youth Initiative will allow fans 15 years of age and younger to receive a 50% discount on all tickets for the March 6 Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series event on March 5 and the March 4 Stratosphere NASCAR Pole Day. Discounted tickets are available for weekend-package tickets as well as single-day events.
In addition, race fans 15 years and under will receive free admission to the Neon Garage fan experience when accompanied by an adult. Both kids and accompanying adults must have a race ticket to participate in the Neon Garage promotion. The Neon Garage gives race fans the best access to drivers, Las Vegas-style entertainment and is home to the post-race Victory Lane celebration. The discounts and half-price tickets can represent a savings of more than $300 per person. The promotion will begin Thursday and will run as long as supplies last.
Young fans also are invited to visit the new Extreme Sports Zone on the midway at LVMS during NASCAR Weekend. The Extreme Sports Zone will feature professional BMX exhibitions, a skate park and HobbyTown USA’s R/C car racing track. Young fans are encouraged to bring their skateboards and bikes to enjoy the sports zone during breaks in the professional exhibitions. To take part in the Smith’s Youth Initiative parents and guardians should visit www.lvms.com or call the speedway at (800) 644-4444 and ask for promote code: Smith’s.(LVMS)(1-19-2011)

Stratosphere to sponsor Pole Day at Vegas: Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, one of Las Vegas’s most identifiable properties, has partnered with Las Vegas Motor Speedway as the title sponsor of NASCAR Pole Day on March 4. Stratosphere has hosted several driver autograph sessions for both NASCAR and NHRA over the past several years as well as press conferences and other media events. In 2011, the hotel also will host the annual Speedway Children’s Charities poker tournament in October. Stratosphere Pole Day will kick off NASCAR Weekend on the superspeedway with practice for both the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR. Nationwide Series race as well as qualifying for the Kobalt Tools 400 on Friday, March 4. The Sam’s Town 300 is set for Saturday, March 5 and the Kobalt Tools 400 will run on Sunday, March 6. Two nights of World of Outlaws Sprint Car racing will take place on the dirt track March 2 and 3. Tickets for all of these events are on sale at www.lvms.com or by calling 1-800-644-4444.(LVMS)(1-14-2011)

LVMS to hold open auditions to determine national anthem singer: For the third consecutive year, one aspiring singer will get the opportunity of a lifetime before the start of the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Race sponsor Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall KVVU-FOX5 and LVMS are staging an open audition called Speedway Superstar to find a singer to perform the national anthem prior to the March 5 NASCAR Nationwide Series event at the speedway. The first audition will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 5 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, Feb. 12. On that day, the winner will be announced. The Feb. 5 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 Feb. 5. The first 150 applicants are guaranteed an audition. For more information go to lvms.com.(LVMS)(1-13-2011)

Lowe’s signs on as sponsor of Las Vegas Sprint Cup event: Lowe’s and its Kobalt Tools brand are joining Las Vegas Motor Speedway to “build something together.” The companies announced a multi-year agreement that will make the home-improvement chain’s tool brand the sponsor of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Kobalt Tools 400, the 14th NASCAR Sprint Cup event to be held at LVMS, will take place March 6 on the 1.5-mile superspeedway.
“Lowe’s is one of the nation’s most-recognizable companies, and we are thrilled to have a company of its stature as our partner in this event,” said LVMS president Chris Powell said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to help give Lowe’s more exposure to NASCAR fans. The Las Vegas race, which represents the largest sports event west of Texas, is one of the most popular on the NASCAR circuit, and together with Lowe’s, we can build this event even more.”
“We’re excited to bring the Kobalt Tools 400 to Las Vegas this year,” said Tom Lamb, senior vice president of marketing and advertising at Lowe’s. “Lowe’s has been active in the Las Vegas community for years, and we know the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will provide a great place for Lowe’s and Kobalt fans to experience NASCAR first-hand.”
The 2011 NASCAR Weekend will kick off with qualifying for the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Friday, March 4. The Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race is set for Saturday, March 5. Tickets for all 2011 events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, including the Kobalt Tools 400 on March 6, can be purchased by calling 1-800-644-444 or online at www.lvms.com.(LVMS)(11-30-2010)

LVMS to host Gift of Lights beginning Nov. 19: The Gift of Lights is moving to Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Sunset Park hosted the event for the past nine years, but organizers decided to move the event to the speedway for the 2010 holiday season. “We’re really excited to host the Gift of Lights,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “This is one of the real highlights of the holiday season for all Las Vegans, and we’re proud to do our part in providing a facility for this event. And most importantly, children’s organizations in Southern Nevada will benefit as a result of charitable contributions through Speedway Children’s Charities.” The speedway is donating the facility to event organizers, Meehan and Associates, but $2 from every car visiting the experience will go to the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. All funds raised by the local chapter benefit youth organizations in Southern Nevada. The move to the speedway will allow for the largest Gift of Lights in the event’s 10-year history. All displays will be in LED lighting, which will provide the most brilliant light display ever for this event. The experience will open on Friday, Nov. 19 and run nightly through Sunday, Jan. 2. Admission is $15, but any car bringing a donation to Goodwill will receive $2 off the admission price. Various youth organizations will be on hand selling hot chocolate and warm apple cider and their proceeds will help fund programs for their organizations (LVMS)(11-19-2010)

Smith’s Food & Drug Stores to sponsor LVMS Truck race: Las Vegas Motor Speedway is welcoming back an old friend as sponsor of the Sept. 25 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event. Smith’s Food & Drug Stores, which cosponsored the event in 2006 and 2007, has returned as title sponsor for this year’s event. The event will be called the Smith’s 350. Tickets for the Smith’s 350 are on sale by calling 1-800-644-4444 or by logging on to www.lvms.com. Race fans also can purchases passes to the fan-interactive Neon Garage for just $10.(LVMS)(9-7-2010)

Smith blasts NASCAR for ending season at Homestead: Speedway Motorsports Inc. owner Bruton Smith isn't a fan of NASCAR's insistence on ending the season in South Florida. Smith likened Homestead Miami Speedway to "North Cuba," arguing it is not the "proper place" for the Sprint Cup series to end the Chase for the championship. The longtime track owner says he'd prefer NASCAR to run its final Cup race at SMI-owned Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Smith said he expects IndyCar to end the 2011 season at the 1.5-mile oval next October. Despite his protests, SMI did not make a formal request for NASCAR to add a second Las Vegas race to the 2011 schedule. Smith said it's because he doesn't believe it would make a difference.(Associated Press)(9-5-2010)

Las Vegas race weekend returns to first week of March: Las Vegas’s annual NASCAR Weekend will return to its traditional March weekend in 2011. The annual NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be held March 4-6, 2011. Earlier this year, the event was held on the final weekend in February due to a quirk in the calendar. “In reality, it’s on the same weekend as the 2010 event, but our race fans have been used to coming here on the first weekend in March, so it’s good to be back on those dates,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “We’ve been blessed with great weather on this weekend the past few years, and we look forward to having another great weekend with a packed house in 2011.”(LVMS)(8-10-2010)

2011 schedule changes will be "impactful": NASCAR appears ready to give its 2011 Sprint Cup schedule a facelift. CEO Brian France said before Sunday's race at Indianapolis that stock car's top series is in the "final throes" of completing next year's Cup slate and that it could feature some "impactful" changes. International Speedway Corp. is asking for a second race in Kansas, while Speedway Motorsports Inc. wants Las Vegas to get a second Cup date. SMI is also hoping to bring a Cup race to its 1.5-mile track in northern Kentucky.(Associated Press/ESPN.com)
AND: NASCAR's 2010 Sprint Cup schedule is expected to have a considerably different look next season, including the site of the season finale. Some changes are expected in response to requests from major track owners International Speedway Corp. and Speedway Motorsports Inc., but several other race dates are believed to be in play. Several sources told the Observer and ThatsRacin.com on Sunday that changes being contemplated include the season's final race, now held at Miami-Homestead. That ISC-owned track could get the second race of the 2011 season. Auto Club Speedway currently occupies that spot on the schedule. The sources said two tracks figure in the options being considered to replace Homestead as host of the season's final race weekend: Las Vegas and Daytona. A Las Vegas finale could make it more convenient for fans, teams, media and others to attend NASCAR's season-ending awards events. Those events, held in New York City for years, moved to the desert gambling-and-resort city for the first time last year. A season finale at Daytona would add a second restrictor-plate race to the Chase for the Sprint Cup.(Charlotte Observer)(7-26-2010)

Las Vegas developing smart phone app: When Las Vegas Motor Speedway did research on the fan experience, parking came back as an area that needed improvement. Not surprising, given the vastness of the speedway's 1,300 acres. So to help guide fans onto the property more efficiently, LVMS is partnering with a Washington, D.C., technology company to create the first mobile application for a major speedway. LVMS, part of Speedway Motorsports Inc., is working with Thermopylae to mold a fan guide application that takes customers into the track and to their seats through information provided to a smartphone. All consumers have to do is enter their seat number into the handset app, which will be available on iPhones, certain BlackBerrys and phones that run the Android system. The app will come with loads of functions, both for the customer and the track. A virtual layout of the speedway will show users the locations of merchandise trailers, rest rooms, concessions, first aid and other vital areas. Once the users are in the speedway, they can upgrade their seats, buy pit passes or buy tickets to the Neon Garage through their mobile handset. The app is expected to go through a soft launch for the Camping World Truck Series race at LVMS on Sept. 25, with the full rollout next spring when the Sprint Cup Series returns to Las Vegas.(Scene Daily)(7-25-2010)

Scheduled changes, 3 tracks loses? 3 gain dates?: SPEED's Bob Dillner reported on the July 11th SPEED Report that rumors have Auto Club Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway with second race dates going to Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway and Kentucky Speedway getting a Sprint Cup race. No word how this will shake up the Sprint Cup schedule, can be figured out a few different ways. Look for Atlanta Motor Speedway to keep it's Labor Day weekend date and doubtful Las Vegas would get a summer date with the heat there.(7-13-2010)

Some 2011 schedule speculation: It appears more likely than ever the 2011 Sprint Cup slate will have a much different look than it has in recent seasons. NASCAR acknowledged both SMI and ISC have requested realignment date changes for next year, and there are reports Kentucky and a second date for Las Vegas will be part of the SMI plan, at the expense of races in New Hampshire and Atlanta, and Kansas will gain a second NASCAR weekend when Auto Club Speedway gets stripped of its February date.(CBS Sports) to see what tracks have already confirmed their dates for next year, check out my 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 'tentative' Schedule page.(7-5-2010)

Las Vegas tix on sale Monday: Tickets for the 2011 NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will go on sale Monday, June 28, but early-bird ticket buyers won’t have to wait until next year to see NASCAR action on the 1.5-mile superspeedway. Race fans who purchase NASCAR Weekend tickets prior to Aug. 1 will receive two free tickets to the Sept. 25 Las Vegas 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. “We have had a very strong renewal period, and that’s allowed us to put tickets on sale earlier than ever this year,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “We want to reward those who commit early by offering tickets to the Truck race in September. That’s always one of our most exciting races, and we hope the fans of Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series racing will come out to see an exciting show on Sept. 25.” As in past years, LVMS is offering a payment plan for all ticket buyers. Race fans purchasing tickets within the next two months will be required to pay only 25 percent of the value of the order. Credit cards will be charged in equal installments on monthly beginning Sept. 1 to pay the remaining balance. Tickets start as low as $49 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. The speedway also has a Family 4-Pack for both weekend tickets and Sunday’s Sprint Cup event. Weekend Family 4-Packs are $316 and a Sunday-only Family 4-Pack is just $199. The NASCAR Weekend will consist of Pole Day for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series event and the 14th annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Neon Garage passes, driver introduction passes and Lucky 7 preferred parking passes also go on sale June 28. Tickets are available online at www.lvms.com, by calling the speedway’s tickets services department at (800) 644-4444 or in-person at the speedway box office.(LVMS)(6-26-2010)

Las Vegas proposes a 2nd Cup race to SMI: Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the closest it's been in years to getting a second annual Sprint Cup race -- or it could be just another move in the mental chess game of racing grandmaster Bruton Smith. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority two weeks ago submitted a proposal to Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) about landing a coveted race in the series' 10-race Chase for the Cup playoff as early as next year, possibly in mid-September. The additional race would complement the speedway's early spring Cup event. Rossi Ralenkotter, the LVCVA president, confirmed this week that "on-again, off-again" negotiations with Smith heated up over the past month. "We haven't hidden the fact that Las Vegas can and will support a second race," said Ralenkotter, who expects to hear back from Smith next week. The only way Las Vegas can get a second Cup event would be for Smith, SMI's founder and chairman, to move an existing race -- with NASCAR's approval -- from one of his six other tracks that host 11 Cup races. NASCAR has been steadfast in refusing to extend its schedule by adding races. An additional Cup weekend would be a windfall for Southern Nevada but costly for Loudon, N.H., or Atlanta. "As long as we can get a second race, we don't care where it comes from," Ralenkotter said. A source close to the negotiations said the LVCVA is offering to pay SMI between $5 million and $8 million to land a second Cup weekend. The authority is funded through a hotel room tax. Getting a second date for Las Vegas was Smith's top priority until December 2008 when he bought Kentucky Speedway, which does not have a Cup race. Smith, 83, made it clear he would find a Cup race for Kentucky before Las Vegas got a second one. A publicly held corporation like SMI should focus on maximizing profit, and it makes fiscal sense to move an Atlanta race to Las Vegas, where it will draw up to 40,000 more spectators. And let's not forget the LVCVA's multimillion-dollar inducement to SMI.(Las Vegas Review Journal)(6-25-2010)

LVMS NASCAR Weekend shows increase in economic impact: The 2010 NASCAR Weekend once again proved to be a huge economic windfall for the Las Vegas economy. This year’s event, Feb. 26-28, contributed $165,767,400 to the local economy, according to figures released by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. That represents a 7.4-percent increase in economic impact over the 2009 event. According to the LVCVA survey, the 2010 event attracted an estimated 148,000 unique visitors to Las Vegas. These race fans occupied 127,000 room nights. The 2010 event also saw more out-of-town guests visit Las Vegas for the NASCAR event than each of the past four years. The race weekend included the Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, zMAX Pole Day and two nights of dirt-track racing for USAC and the World of Outlaws. Tickets for the 2011 NASCAR Weekend already are on sale at www.lvms.com or 1-800-644-4444.(LVMS)(5-24-2010)

What happened with Las Vegas caution lights? NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said that officials were not sure why the caution lughts malfunctioned twice during Sunday's race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, causing two cautions during the event. After the second such case, NASCAR switched to a backup system and had no further issues.(Virginian Pilot)(3-3-2010)

LVMS records ninth consecutive sellout: Las Vegas Motor Speedway recorded its ninth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sellout with Sunday’s running of the Shelby American. Speedway officials sold the final grandstand seats Sunday morning prior to the green flag for the 13th annual event. The capacity crowd marked the largest crowd of the season. “In what are still challenging economic times, today’s turnout is a testament to the popularity of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, this great city and NASCAR’s premier racing series,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “We really appreciate the thousands of race fans who chose to spend the day with us.” Tickets for the 2011 NASCAR Weekend are on sale now, and anyone who buys or renews tickets for 2011 will get them at 10 percent off this year’s prices if they purchase by April 9. Race fans purchasing before April 9 will be able to pay 33 percent of their invoice on April 9 and have the remainder charged in two additional installments. Fans also will receive a commemorative poster.(LVMS)(2-28-2010)

Human Nature to perform prior to start of Shelby American: Race fans arriving early for the Feb. 28 Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be entertained by Las Vegas headliner Human Nature. The Australian group will perform on the main stage in front of the grandstands prior to the green flag, set to wave at noon. Billed as The Ultimate Celebration of Motown, Human Nature is presented by R&B music legend Smokey Robinson. Covering Motown’s greatest songs, the quartet consists of Toby Allen, Andrew Tierny, Michael Tierny and Phil Burton. The group took root in Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia 20 years ago and has opened for Celine Dion and Michael Jackson. Human Nature has headlined at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino since last May. To purchase tickets for the Feb. 26-28 NASCAR Weekend at LVMS, including the fabulous Neon Garage fan experience, Lucky 7 Preferred Parking and driver introduction passes, call (800) 644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com.(LVMS)(2-27-2010)

Shelby and Kardashian to serve as co-grand marshals at LVMS: Automobile legend Carroll Shelby and television star Kim Kardashian will serve as co-grand marshals for Sunday’s Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Kardashian and Shelby will share the microphone when it comes time to give the command to start engines. “Of course, I will have my rooting interest during the race,” Kardashian said, referring to Tommy Baldwin Racing's #36 Chevy driven by Mike Bliss, which will feature a special paint scheme, celebrating the launch of her new fragrance. “But I'm really looking forward to meeting all the drivers. It's such a tremendous honor to serve as co-Grand Marshal and I'm really looking forward to experiencing a Sprint Cup race up close.” Kim stars in the E! network television series, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, on Sunday nights.
Shelby has raced and designed cars for more than 50 years and is known throughout the world for his legendary Cobra and Shelby GT350. His company, Shelby Automobiles, Inc. is headquartered in Las Vegas and also is the sponsor of Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at LVMS.
To purchase tickets for the 2011 NASCAR Weekend – as well as tickets for this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Shelby American and NASCAR Nationwide Series Sam's Town 300 (including the fabulous Neon Garage fan experience, Lucky 7 Preferred Parking and driver introduction passes), please call (800) 644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com.(LVMS)(2-25-2010)

2011 Shelby GT350 to pace Shelby American: Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, so it is only fitting that the city’s NASCAR race be paced by something that reflects that image. The aggressively-styled, exciting new 2011 Shelby GT350 will serve as the pace car for the Feb. 28 Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race will be the public’s first opportunity to see the supercharged supercar at speed – and the first time for a Shelby GT350 to pace a NASCAR event. The 2011 Shelby GT350 is constructed by Shelby American, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. The Shelby team unveiled a supercharged concept version of the Mustang-based 2011 Shelby GT350 to the surprise of thousands of automotive enthusiasts gathered at the Barrett-Jackson Auction opening-night gala to honor the 45th anniversary of the first GT350 and first Shelby big-block Cobra. It was an immediate hit with the muscle car crowd. The Shelby GT350 is a post-title program. The customer purchases a car from their local Ford dealer, which is transformed into a GT350 by the Shelby American Team in Las Vegas. A limited number will be built in the 2011 model year. A Ford Mustang GT can be drop-shipped by a Ford dealer to Shelby’s Las Vegas facility for conversion, or a customer may arrange to have a properly-specified car transported to the factory.
Each GT350 will be adorned in the traditional white paint scheme, accented with Shelby Guardsman Blue Le Mans stripes. The GT350 will feature the new Coyote 5.0 liter Ford V8, coupled to a six-speed transmission and center-exit exhaust. Blue Shelby GT350 valve covers and billet caps set off the supercharged engine. The Baer brake system features a six-piston kit in the front, as well as 14-inch ERADISPEED rotors in the rear with cooling ducts for all four corners.
The suspension was upgraded with new Ford Racing springs, struts, sway bars and adjustable caster/camber plates. The car also receives a new front fascia, tail light trim, front splitter, rear deck lid filler panel and rear fascia. Functional scoops are located on the side rockers and hood. The GT350 badges on the outside and inside of the car will include a Shelby serial number. The A-pillar carries a fuel pressure, oil pressure and boost gauge.
To purchase tickets for the 2011 NASCAR Weekend – as well as tickets for this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Shelby American and NASCAR Nationwide Series Sam's Town 300 (including the fabulous Neon Garage fan experience, Lucky 7 Preferred Parking and driver introduction passes), please call (800) 644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com.(LVMS)(2-25-2010)

LVMS offers discount incentives, bonuses for fans purchasing 2011 Tix: Las Vegas Motor Speedway is offering a substantial discount – and other bonuses – to its weekend ticketholders. Tickets for the 2011 NASCAR Weekend will go on sale tomorrow and anyone who purchases or renews tickets for next year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events prior to April 10 will receive a 10-percent discount off of 2010’s prices. Fans that renew their NASCAR Weekend tickets for 2011 will have the option to keep their present seat locations or upgrade them. LVMS is offering a three-payment plan for 2011 NASCAR Weekend ticket purchases or renewals. The first one-third is due at time of purchase (up to April 15) and the second and third installments will be charged to their credit cards on July 1 and Oct. 1. Fans taking part in this special offer also will receive an exclusive, commemorative poster of the 2010 LVMS NASCAR Weekend. To purchase tickets for the 2011 NASCAR Weekend – as well as tickets for this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Shelby American and NASCAR Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300 (including the fabulous Neon Garage fan experience, Lucky 7 Preferred Parking and driver introduction passes), please call (800) 644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com.(LVMS)(2-23-2010)

LVMS expects highway widening to improve vehicle flow: Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials are expecting the smoothest vehicle flow ever for the NASCAR Weekend thanks to improvements made to Interstate 15. A design-build project by the Nevada Department of Transportation has widened I-15 to four lanes in each direction between the U.S. 95 interchange and Craig Road. This project was completed well ahead of schedule and should improve ingress and egress for the Feb. 26-28 events.
“We are very grateful to the Nevada Department of Transportation for its efficiency in completing this project,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “When we first heard of this project in 2007, we were told it would impact NASCAR Weekend in ’08, ’09 and 2010. But NDOT delayed the start until after the ’08 race and concluded the project before this year’s big weekend – a full six months ahead of schedule.”
While commuting by car should be much easier, the speedway still encourages fans to use mass transit to attend the races. For the second 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 can contact Coach America at 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 1-800-261-2691. 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. “We take caring for the handicapped very seriously at the speedway,” Powell said. “It’s important to us that handicapped fans coming to our race are not inconvenienced by those who are perfectly capable of parking in the general parking area.” The speedway also has added a new feature to its website. Videos depicting the preferred entry and exit from the speedway can now be found online at www.lvms.com.(LVMS)(2-22-2010)

Bruton Smith suing Wayne Newton: Las Vegas Motor Speedway executive O. Bruton Smith is suing singer Wayne Newton, charging Newton is delinquent on a $3.35 million loan and seeking to foreclose on Newton’s Casa de Shenandoah ranch in Las Vegas. The lawsuit was filed in Clark County District in Las Vegas Feb. 9 by Smith, chairman and chief executive of Speedway Motorsports Inc., against Newton, his wife, Kathleen McCrone Newton, Newton company Desert Eagle LLC and a Newton Living Trust dated Dec. 19, 2001. The lawsuit was filed by attorneys Mark Ferrario and Brandon Roos of the Las Vegas office of the law firm Greenberg Traurig on behalf of Smith, whose company based in Concord, N.C., owns tracks around the country for NASCAR and other races. Smith is also the chairman and chief executive of automotive retailer Sonic Automotive Inc. of Charlotte, N.C. The suit says that in March 2006, when Wayne Newton and Smith were friends, the Newtons approached Smith and asked him to assist the Newtons and Desert Eagle in obtaining a $3.75 million loan from Bank of America by providing a personal guarantee. The suit says Wayne Newton planned to refinance existing debt with B of A and that the loan would be secured by Newton’s 38-acre residence in Las Vegas at Pecos and Sunset roads and by a private jet valued at more than $2 million.(see full article at the Las Vegas Sun)(2-18-2010)

Coach America shuttle service available from hotels to LVMS: Coach America once again will provide shuttle service from selected hotels to Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the Feb. 26-28 NASCAR Weekend. The Coach America shuttle buses will provide one-way service (hotel to speedway) on Friday (qualifying), Saturday (Sam’s Town 300) and Sunday (Shelby American) morning. Return shuttle service (speedway to hotel) will begin as soon as the event ends and will continue as needed. Shuttle service also will be available from Parking Lot 5 immediately after the World of Outlaws Sprint Car races on Friday night at the Dirt Track.
Shuttle tickets may be purchased at the Coach America shuttle desk at the following locations: Tropicana Hotel & Casino (bus plaza lobby), T.I. Hotel & Casino (registration lobby), Riviera Hotel & Casino (south lobby), Las Vegas Hilton (east lobby-monorail connection) and the downtown Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino (south lobby). Shuttle tickets are $30 per person for Friday, $30 per person for Saturday and $40 per person on Sunday. A three-day pass also is available for $40.
The Coach America shuttle desks will be open 6-10 p.m. on Wednesday of NASCAR Weekend; 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 7 a.m.-noon on Sunday.
Coach America shuttle schedule (subject to change, please check updated information at desk):
Friday, Feb. 26 – 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (one way, from hotel to speedway).
Saturday, Feb. 27 – 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (one way, from hotel to speedway).
Sunday, Feb. 28 – 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (one way, from hotel to speedway).
Return shuttle service (speedway to hotel) will begin as soon as the event ends and will continue as needed.
Shuttle service also will be available from Parking Lot 5 immediately after the World of Outlaws Sprint Car races on Friday night at the Dirt Track. To purchase shuttle service tickets online, please visit nascar.coachamerica.com.
LVMS ticket office at (800) 644-4444 or online at www.lvms.com. Follow LVMS on Facebook and Twitter.(LVMS)(2-17-2010)

Hauler Parade to kick off NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas: The popular NASCAR Hauler Parade once again will thunder up the world-famous Las Vegas Strip to kick off NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas. The 2010 edition of the NASCAR Hauler Parade will begin at 6:00 pm – under the fabulous neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip – on Thursday, Feb. 25. The new, later starting time will allow more fans to view the parade. The colorful 18-wheelers that carry the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series race cars and equipment to the tracks will be staged at approximately 6 p.m. in the right lane of Las Vegas Boulevard just south of Russell Road. Once all trucks are lined up, the haulers will move north on Las Vegas Boulevard. The haulers will proceed approximately five miles to Sahara Avenue before returning to Interstate 15 and the short ride north to the speedway. The speedway expects 60-75 haulers to take part in the parade, which will conclude with the haulers arriving at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in preparation for the Feb. 28 Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. 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. Tickets for the NASCAR and Dirt Track events may be purchased by calling the LVMS ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or online at www.LVMS.com.(LVMS)(2-11-2010)

LVMS invites President Obama to see Las Vegas from new perspective: Las Vegas Motor Speedway is inviting the President to see firsthand how visiting Las Vegas for entertainment is a boon to the economy. LVMS president Chris Powell is inviting President Barack Obama to be the grand marshal for the Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Feb. 28 [FYI - he would replace current Grand Marshal Kim Kardashian if the President chose to attend]. The invitation comes less than 24 hours after the president told a gathering in New Hampshire that Americans shouldn't "blow a bunch of cash on Vegas" during the current economic climate. "It's a shame that the president doesn't realize the impact of tourism on the Las Vegas economy," Powell said. "Telling people not to visit Las Vegas is the same as telling them not to buy vegetables would be to a farmer in the Midwest - or telling them not to buy cars would be to an autoworker in Detroit. On the last weekend of this month, NASCAR Weekend at the speedway will bring in more than $150 million to the local economy. It will generate 3,000 jobs at the speedway alone. Hotels in town have reduced room rates. We've reduced ticket prices. And the races themselves will be a showcase of American knowhow and ingenuity. I would love to have the president come to Las Vegas Motor Speedway during NASCAR Weekend and see firsthand how important tourism is to our community. We'll even let him give the command to start engines. NASCAR Weekend is the largest sporting event in Nevada, and the 300,000 people who visit here during the weekend will surpass any event in Las Vegas in 2010."(LVMS)(2-4-2010)

Las Vegas headliner Terry Fator to sing national anthem for Shelby American: Popular Las Vegas headliner Terry Fator has been tapped to sing the national anthem for the Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 28. Fator, known throughout the world for his celebrity singing impressions and unparalleled ventriloquism, won the second season of NBC-TV’s America’s Got Talent and currently performs at The Mirage Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. “It is an honor for me to sing the national anthem at the Shelby American race in Las Vegas,” said Fator. “I believe that my fans and NASCAR fans are one and the same, so it is a match made in Heaven. I grew up in Texas, so you know I’m a NASCAR fan!” Tickets for the Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the NASCAR Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300 are available by visiting www.lvms.com or by calling (800) 644-4444.(2-2-2010)

LVMS secures discounted hotel rooms for NASCAR Weekend: Las Vegas Motor Speedway has partnered with 13 local hotels to bring deeply discounted room rates to race fans for the Feb. 26-28 NASCAR Weekend. “We understand that coming to races involves much more than just the purchase of a race ticket,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “Several months ago, we announced the decision to lower all weekend and Sunday-only tickets for the NASCAR Weekend. We have been working since that time with our hotels for more affordable rates for our race fans. We are very appreciative to our hotel partners in helping us meet the needs of the thousands of race fans who travel from out of town to attend the races here at LVMS.” Participating hotels have dropped room rates by as much as 25 percent for the race weekend. In addition, many hotels are offering promotions such as free hats, free cocktail hours, discounted food options and gifts for kids. The following hotels are part of this partnership: Sam’s Town, The Orleans, Harrah’s, Imperial Palace, Flamingo, Bally’s, South Point, MGM Grand, Luxor, Excalibur, Mirage, Palace Station and Green Valley Ranch. Race fans interested in booking one of these deeply discounted rooms can do so by visiting www.lvms.com/hotels. Tickets for the Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the Sam’s Town 300 featuring the Las Vegas debut of Indy star Danica Patrick are available at www.lvms.com or by calling 1-800-644-4444.(1-26-2010)

Promotions at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:
Thomas Taylor has been promoted to Manager, Information Technology Services.
Jeff Motley has been promoted to Vice President of Media Relations.
Tara Barkis Jimenez has been promoted to Manager of Business & Development in the Sales & Marketing Dept.
Naysan Gray and Craig Cochran have been promoted to Senior Manager, Business Development in the Sales & Marketing Dept.
Aaron Crowley has been promoted to Senior Manager, Business Development & Advertising in the Sales & Marketing Dept.
Brock Ita has joined the staff as Coordinator of Client Services in the Sales & Marketing Dept.(LVMS PR)(1-6-2010)

Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities grants $275,000 to charities: The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities hosted its annual Grant Distribution and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony last week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Las Vegas Chapter awarded $275,000 to 78 local children's charities at the ceremony. Children from all recipients were invited to attend and the event, which included musical entertainment by Malia Civetz and dancing by the Culture Shock dance group. The evening concluded with a visit from Santa Claus (delivered to the speedway in a Richard Petty Driving Experience stock car) and gifts for each child. Fund raising events for the 2009 season included the Mel Larson Night of Champions Presented By Autotrader.com (which honored Carroll Shelby), the 11th annual NASCAR Driver Auction at Sam's Town Live!, the chapter's seventh annual golf tournament and the sixth annual Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament at the Cannery Hotel & Casino. Making a difference in a child's life is the focus of Speedway Children's Charities. SCC strives to do this in collaboration with the non-profit organizations it supports nationwide. Individually, SCC's local chapters identify the needs of children in their communities and award grants to organizations that address them. (LVMS.com)(12-16-2009)

Shelby Autos returns to sponsor Vegas race: Shelby Automobiles, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc., will return in 2010 as the sponsor of the NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Shelby teamed up with LVMS this past March for the Shelby 427. Next year's event on Feb. 28 will be called the Shelby American to honor the 45th anniversary of the Shelby G.T. 350 and 427 Cobra introductions in 1965. March's race was known as the Shelby 427 and featured a 427-mile, 285-lap race. The event will return to its traditional 400-mile, 267-lap distance in 2010. The 2010 NASCAR Weekend will kick off with qualifying for the Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Friday, Feb. 26. The Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race is set for Saturday, Feb. 27. Tickets for all 2010 events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, including the Shelby American on Sunday, Feb. 28, can be purchased by calling 1-800-644-444 or online at www.lvms.com. Neon Garage, Lucky 7 Preferred parking and driver introduction passes also are on sale.(LVMS)(11-6-2009)

Las Vegas sets 2010 Cup date, tix for sale: The annual NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be a February affair in 2010. LVMS officials announced Friday that next year’s event will take place Feb. 26-28. It marks the first year the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event will be run in February. “In reality, it’s on the same weekend as the 2009 event, it’s just a quirk in the calendar that has the event being held in February,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “We have been blessed with great weather on this weekend the past few years, and we look forward to having another great weekend with a packed house in 2010.” Tickets, which start as low as $49, are on sale now. Race fans can purchase tickets by calling 1-800-644-4444, logging on to www.lvms.com or in person at the LVMS ticket services office. LVMS has reduced the price of all Weekend Package and single-day tickets from 2009 pricing. Neon Garage passes also have been reduced from 2009. The speedway has introduced a special Family Four Pack which starts at $199. Lucky 7 Preferred Parking and Driver Introduction passes also are available. Times for all events will be announced at a later date.(LVMS)(8-31-2009)

LVMS NASCAR ticket prices, tix go on sale Monday: The theme for the 2010 NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: "High speeds and lower prices." Tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday. A limited number of tickets will be available for $49 - the lowest pricing of NASCAR tickets since the speedway's inception. In fact, LVMS has reduced the pricing on all Weekend Packages and Sunday-only tickets for next year's NASCAR Weekend. In addition, the speedway has implemented a new payment structure to make ticket-buying easier than ever. For the first time, race fans can secure their tickets by paying just 33 percent of the value of their purchase. The remaining balance will be charged in equal installments on Oct. 15 and Nov. 15. The speedway also has created a Family 4-Pack for both weekend tickets and Sunday's Sprint Cup event. Weekend Family 4-Packs are $316 and a Sunday-only Family 4-Pack is just $199. Some of these specials represent a 50-percent reduction in ticket prices. LVMS is using the weekend of Feb. 26-28 as the "working dates" for the 2010 NASCAR Weekend. These dates are pending the signing of sanctioning agreements with NASCAR. The NASCAR Weekend will consist of Pole Day for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series event and the 13th annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Neon Garage passes, driver introduction passes and Lucky 7 preferred parking passes also go on sale Aug. 17. Tickets are available online at www.lvms.com, by calling the speedway's tickets services department at 1-800-644-4444 or in-person at the speedway box office.(LVMS)(8-15-2009)

LVMS hires new excutive: Mike Mossholder has been named vice president of sales and marketing for Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mossholder comes to LVMS from his post as vice president of sales and marketing for Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Prior to working at the famed horse-racing facility, Mossholder spent five years as director of marketing partnerships for the Miami Dolphins and Dolphin Stadium (now Landshark Stadium). While with the Dolphins, he was instrumental in securing corporate partnerships for the NFL team as well as for the 2007 and 2010 Super Bowls, the 2009 BCS Championship game and the Florida Marlins.(LVMS)(7-28-2009)

Lower ticket prices at Las Vegas; go on sale Aug. 17: The theme for the 2010 NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: “High speeds and lower prices.” Tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, Aug. 17. A limited number of tickets will be available for $49 – the lowest pricing of NASCAR tickets since the speedway’s inception. In fact, LVMS has reduced the pricing on all Weekend Packages and Sunday-only tickets for next year’s NASCAR Weekend. In addition, the speedway has implemented a new payment structure to make ticket-buying easier than ever. For the first time, race fans can secure their tickets by paying just 33 percent of the value of their purchase. The remaining balance will be charged in equal installments on Oct. 15 and Nov. 15.
The speedway also has created a Family 4-Pack for both weekend tickets and Sunday’s Sprint Cup event. Weekend Family 4-Packs are $316 and a Sunday-only Family 4-Pack is just $199. Some of these specials represent a 50-percent reduction in ticket prices. LVMS is using the weekend of Feb. 26-28 as the “working dates” for the 2010 NASCAR Weekend. These dates are pending the signing of sanctioning agreements with NASCAR. Neon Garage passes, driver introduction passes and Lucky 7 preferred parking passes also go on sale Aug. 17. Tickets are available online at www.lvms.com, by calling the speedway’s tickets services department at 1-800-644-4444 or in-person at the speedway box office.(LVMS)(7-23-2009)