What is it? An opportunity for JAYSKI readers to eat, drink, be merry, and meet the guy behind the monitor.
Why now? A couple of elements came together, namely that a JAYSKI billboard will be displayed at LVMS this year (which we wanted to check out), Jay and I have never met, and I couldn't resist pitching the idea to the Hyatt Lake Las Vegas Resort after they called to discuss advertising on the site.
Why the late notice? Because Jay is a guy and I am a guy ('nuff said) and tempting people with "a trip to 'Vegas" is the only place such a last-minute concept could be pulled off.
What if I am already booked at a different hotel? Three options: either 1) change hotels, 2) join us at JAYSKI's "Silly Hour" from 7-9 PM on Saturday (3/1) at the Hyatt Lake Las Vegas Resort and enjoy complimentary cocktails and hors d' oeuvres. Everyone is welcome! …or 3) change hotels.
Other worthy notes (for those who book rooms):
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No tickets to the race? No worries. Surround yourself with 4 TVs at the Hyatt Resort's Lounge; their able staff and stiff cocktails will keep you happier than Jayski.com's Smile Bar.
· The Resort provides a free shuttle to and from the Strip
· The Resort boasts a traffic-free trip to LVMS via "Backdoor" road
· Our rate of $199/nt. for 2 nights + 3rd night free is the best deal in 'Vegas for that weekend
· The Resort boasts 2 18-hole golf courses (4-man scramble tourney anyone?)
· Interest pending and barring injuries or damage to the Resort this year, we would like to make this an annual event
· We look forward to seeing you!
New beltway ramp, handicap parking to benefit Las Vegas race fans: In 2002, Las Vegas Motor Speedway had its most efficient traffic flow in the five-year history of the NASCAR Weekend. The opening of the northern corridor of the Las Vegas Beltway should make 2003's traffic patterns flow even better than last year. The beltway was opened on Oct. 3, 2002. It connects U.S. 95 and Interstate 15 and merges with I-15 just one mile south of the speedway. LVMS also has relocated its handicap lot and added a reserved parking area called "Lucky 7 Preferred Parking." The new handicap lot is located in the staging lanes of the speedway's drag strip. This will provide all handicap guests a guaranteed paved parking space. In past years, handicap parking had overflowed into gravel parking areas. The Lucky 7 Lot will allow guests, who purchased passes in this lot, to have a dedicated exit lane on Las Vegas Blvd. This will limit the number of cars trying to access the I-15 exit ramp from the Blue Lot. Speedway officials are expecting a crowd in excess of 135,000 fans for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(2-21-2003)
Las Vegas Reserved Seats Sold Out: Las Vegas Motor Speedway announced today that all reserved seats for the March 2 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series event are sold out. Race fans who have not yet purchased tickets for the sixth annual event still may attend the Winston Cup race by purchasing a special $88 "Triple Play" package. The Triple Play includes infield access for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, a reserved seat for the March 1 Sam's Town 300 BGN race and a general-admission seat for the NASCAR CTS event on Sept. 27. A number of stands will be erected in the infield area, and they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. Some reserved handicap area tickets remain, as well as individual suite-access packages.. For tickets and information, call the LVMS ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or visit the LVMS website at LVMS.com.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(2-13-2003)
Vegas to add more seats: Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials announced Thursday that 10,000 seats would be built above the front straightaway. The new seats will tower over the existing grandstand that sits adjacent to the beginning of the frontstretch. Construction will begin in the weeks following the March 1-2 Sam's Town 300 and UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. Construction will include restrooms and concessions on a mezzanine level. Weekend ticket holders to this year's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 will have the first opportunity to upgrade to the new seats. Speedway officials will announce pricing for the new seats at a later date. Public sale of tickets will begin in September. However, race fans may call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-644-4444 to be placed on a waiting list for the new seats.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(2-13-2003)
Taxes could nix a 2nd Las Vegas Cup race? Las Vegas Motor Speedway would like to secure another NASCAR Winston Cup race, but Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposed tax plan could be an obstacle, track owner Bruton Smith said Thursday. Smith said he would like to add one Cup race to the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, scheduled for March 2. Speedway Motorsports Inc. would have to purchase a track and shift its race to the speedway, or buy an existing event from another track. "If we're fortunate enough to buy a speedway or buy a race, it goes to Vegas," Smith said Thursday by telephone from his office in Charlotte, NC. But he said proposed tax increases in Nevada could be a problem. "If all the stuff I'm reading is true, we may not be able to," he said. Smith was referring to Guinn's plan for a 7.3 percent tax on admission to professional sporting events and increases in property tax and gross receipts on all business revenue over $450,000.(Las Vegas Review Journal)(1-31-2003)
Las Vegas Cup Race almost sold out: A limited number of bleacher seats and public suite passes are all that remain for the March 2 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Track officials announced Monday that the speedway's permanent grandstand is a sellout, with the exception of a few single seats in the section outside Turns 3 and 4. While the permanent grandstand is virtually sold out, race fans still have opportunities to buy tickets for this year's race. A few Suite Deal tickets “ sold on an individual basis to the general public “ remain. Suite Deals allow race fans to enjoy Friday's qualifying and the races on Saturday and Sunday from a luxury suite that includes food and beverages. The other option is the speedway's Triple Play package, an $88 ticket that affords fans three races for the price of one. Triple Play ticket holders receive a seat in the Turn 3 bleachers for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, a general-admission ticket to the Sam's Town 300 and a general-admission ticket to the Sept. 27 Las Vegas 350 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. To purchase suite passes or the Triple Play ticket, fans can call the speedway's ticket office at 1-800-644-4444 or log on to www.lvms.com.(LMVS PR)(1-21-2003)
More Seats at Las Vegas in 2004? Word from Las Vegas Motor Speedway source is that few tickets remain in the 120,000-seat permanent grandstand this year, so count on the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 to sell out more than a couple of weeks beforehand. But the ticket market could open a little next year. Supposedly a few days after the Cup race, construction will begin on 20,000 permanent seats above and/or behind those overlooking the fourth turn. But for now, the "triple play" is your best move. The $88 package provides tickets to the March 1 NASCAR Busch race, a spot in the 15,000-seat temporary grandstands set up in the third turn for the Cup race and a ducat for the Sept. 27 CTS race.(Las Vegas Review Journal)(1-17-2003)
New Restrooms at Las Vegas: Two new restroom buildings are under construction at the 1.5-mile oval at Las Vegas to accommodate race fans attending the Winston Cup and BGN races Feb. 28-March 2. Devin Horihan, LVMS' director of construction and development, is overseeing the project. Both 2,800-sq. ft. buildings, located behind the grandstands in Turns 3 and 4, will be completed before the race weekend. Combined, they will add 104 toilets, 110 urinals and 40 sinks to LVMS' existing facilities better accommodate race fans. Last year, over 135,000 fans attended the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. Tickets for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Busch Series may be purchased by calling the LVMS ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or online at LVMS.com.(LVMS PR)(1-17-2003)
Wanna be in a commercial? NASCAR Pontiac commercial to be filmed at LVMS; "True NASCAR fans" needed as featured and non-featured extras: Wanted: NASCAR fans to participate as extras in a Pontiac commercial to be filmed at Las Vegas Motor Speedway January 22-25. Those participating must be available one or more of those days. Casting will be held at the "Transportation Mall" at LVMS across from the Gift Shop/Administration Building.
Featured extras: The producers will pay 150 featured extras $100 per day plus meals. As a bonus, if you bring your motorhome and it is used in the commercial, you will be paid an additional $100.
Non-featured extras: 100 non-featured extras will receive meals (and have a great time).
Casting calls are Saturday, Jan. 11, from 9:00am to 1:00pm and Sunday, Jan. 12, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. All applicants will be photographed. Applicants should wear NASCAR fan attire. If applicants own a motorhome and would like to submit it for use in the commercial, it should be brought to the casting call. If selected, applicants will be notified approximately one week before the shooting dates of January 22-25.(LVMS PR)(1-10-2003)
Sad News: Sahara Hotel & Casino owner and Las Vegas Motor Speedway co-developer Bill Bennett, 78, passed away Sunday night after a lengthy illness. Bennett founded The Bennett Foundation for charitable needs. Diana Bennett said a lot of the charity work her father did was not known to the public. In addition to his daughter and his wife of more than 40 years, Bennett is survived by his son, William A. Bennett of Las Vegas; a sister, Betty Spitler of Arizona; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Bennett's death comes on the heels of the death of his good friend, Ralph Engelstad, owner of the Imperial Palace and co-developer of Las Vegas Motoe Speedway, who died on Nov. 26. Chris Powell, president and general manager of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, issued the following statement today regarding the death of Bill Bennett:
"On behalf of everyone at LVMS, we are saddened to hear of the passing of Bill Bennett," said Chris Powell, president and general manager of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "It was his vision, along with that of the late Ralph Engelstad, that led to the construction and development of this magnificent facility. And among Mr. Bennett's many contributions to this community was an extremely generous donation to our charitable organization, Speedway Children's Charities, for which we will be forever grateful. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bennett family."(see full story at the Las Vegas Sun)(12-24-2002)
More Seats At Las Vegas: For the second consecutive year, Las Vegas Motor Speedway will erect additional seating in order to accommodate record demand for tickets to its annual spring NASCAR Weekend. The additional seating will be sold as part of a three-race package called the "Las Vegas Triple Play." Race fans purchasing the $88 tickets for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Winston Cup race March 2 also will receive a general-admission ticket for the Sam's Town 300 Busch Series event March 1. LVMS also adds a free ticket to the Sept. 27 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series night race. Triple-Play seats now are available on the speedway's website (LVMS.com) or ticket office at 1-800-644-4444. The decision was made last week by LVMS officials to add the temporary seating, which is situated outside Turn 3. That was two months earlier than a similar decision prior to the 2002 race weekend.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(11-28-2002)
Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities to grant $228,000 to local children's at LVMS: The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities will hold its annual Grant Distribution and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 6:00pm. The Las Vegas chapter will present checks in the total sum of $228,000 to 31 local children's charities at the ceremony. At a time when most charities have experienced decreases in donations, the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities will grant $31,000 more than 2001. Last year, the Las Vegas chapter awarded a total of $196,500 to 17 causes. Fundraising events for the 2002 season included the annual NASCAR Driver Auction at Sam's Town Live! (which raised $89,000), Bob & Mike's Third Annual Birthday Bash (a street rod and race car show held in Eldorado Park) and an NHRA Jr. Dragster event held at The Strip at LVMS. The evening's festivities will include a performance by the Culture Shock Las Vegas inner city dance troupe and a visit from Santa Claus. Chris Powell, president and general manager of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will light the traditional SCC Christmas tree.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(11-23-2002)
Spear's takes a few laps at LVMS: Pop sensation Britney Spears had the "Experience of a Lifetime" at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Wednesday night. Spears and a group of friends and associates spent Wednesday night turning fast laps around LVMS’ 1.5-mile superspeedway. The program included an eight-lap driving experience followed by a ride along and two more 11-lap driving experiences. In all, Spears logged more than 30 laps around the speedway. "I’m just racing cars. I’m doing research for my movie," Spears said. Spears is expected to play the leading role as the daughter of a NASCAR team owner in a feature film, which is scheduled to begin filming sometime next year. After completing the four-hour program, Spears said she had gained a new perspective for auto racing. See fiull story and pics at the LVMS site.(11-14-2002)
Las Vegas Tix: While some good seats still remain, Las Vegas Motor Speedway has experienced record demand for tickets for its 2003 NASCAR Weekend, and LVMS officials encourage fans to place their orders soon for the events of Feb. 28-March 2. The sixth annual NASCAR Weekend at LVMS features the Winston Cup UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 on Sunday, March 2 and the Busch Series Sam's Town 300 on Saturday, March 1. Other weekend events include the Pennzoil World of Outlaws on Friday and Saturday nights as well as Pole Day on Friday, Feb. 28. Tickets are available through the LVMS ticket office (800-644-4444) or by logging on to LVMS.com.(11-2-2002)
Vegas CTS race under the lights in 2003: For the first time since 1998, the bright lights of Las Vegas Motor Speedway's 1.5-mile superspeedway will shine on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2003. Next year's event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, will start at 7:15pm/pt. The 2003 event will mark the seventh visit by the CTS. The race will be 350 kilometers (146 laps). Ticket information will be announced at a later date.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(10-31-2002)
LVMS Looking to Change CTS Date: In an effort to boost attendance for the annual CTS race, Las Vegas Motor Speedway general manager Chris Powell is exploring moving the date. Sunday's Las Vegas 350 went head-to-head with the Invensys Classic PGA tournament in town, and the NFL and the Major League Baseball playoffs on television and drew an estimated 15,000 spectators (LVMS officials do not release attendance figures). Powell said he would like to move the race to a time of the year where it wouldn't compete with pro football. "It would be nice to stay away from football (season), but that's not a deal breaker," Powell said Monday. "I'm currently in some conversations with people from NASCAR about the truck race in 2003 ... and I've got some ideas and NASCAR has some ideas. I've thought about a number of things and my next conversation (with NASCAR) will be to see what are the available dates." Powell said it was unlikely the race would be moved to the spring, when the track hosts Cup and a BGN race in March and the NHRA in April.(Las Vegas Sun)(10-16-2002)
New Road for Vegas: A new corridor of the Las Vegas Beltway, which opened recently, will make a significant improvement in traffic flow in and out of Las Vegas Motor Speedway during major event weekends. The corridor connects Interstate 15 to U.S. 95 in the northwest portion of the valley. "The opening of this stretch of beltway will really help the fans as they are coming into and leaving the speedway," said Chris Powell, LVMS's president and general manager. "Once the race ends, everyone is leaving at once. By allowing the traffic to go in two separate directions just one mile from the speedway, we expect to see major improvements in dispersing traffic following next year's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and Sam's Town 300 NASCAR races. Anyone living on the west side of town should use this new route to the interstate during events weekends," Powell said. "Race fans on the east side of town have been able to access the speedway by using Las Vegas Boulevard and Nellis Boulevard. By having most of our local fans using Las Vegas Boulevard and the new I-215 corridor, it also should help save time for those heading south toward the Strip or Southern California."
Traffic developments including a widening of Las Vegas Boulevard and dedicated bus lanes have helped make dramatic improvements to the traffic flow in and out of the speedway over the past three years. n 1999, poor traffic flow was the number one complaint we heard from race fans, the improvements made over the past three years have completely turned that situation around. This new beltway extension will make a good situation even better." A state-record crowd of approximately 140,000 attended this past year's Cup event at LVMS.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(10-5-2002)
Las Vegas Tix on sale Monday: Tickets for the March, 2003 NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will go on sale Monday, Sept. 16 at 8:00am/pt (11:00am/et). Tickets for the sixth annual UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Winston Cup event on March 2, 2003, the Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Busch Series event (March 1), Pole Day (Feb. 28) and the Pennzoil World of Outlaws (Feb. 28 and March 1) will be available on Monday. Race fans can call 1-800-644-4444 or log on to www.lvms.com to purchase tickets. Race fans purchasing weekend packages receive seating priority from year to year. Weekend packages include frontstretch seats for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and Sam's Town 300 as well as a free ticket to Pole Day. LVMS also offers a "Super Ticket" that includes tickets to two nights of the Pennzoil World of Outlaws events in addition to the NASCAR events. For the third consecutive year, Las Vegas Motor Speedway will offer Pole Day-only pit passes. These passes, which must be accompanied by a Pole Day ticket, will allow fans access to the infield and pit-road areas during practice and qualifying. The passes do not allow for access to the garage areas.(LVMS PR)(9-12-2002)
Las Vegas 2003 Date set: Nevada's largest annual sports weekend will return to Las Vegas Motor Speedway Feb. 28-March 2, 2003.. The date represents the same weekend on which the event has been run since 1999. Again in 2003, the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 will be the third stop on the NASCAR Winston Cup tour. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale for the NASCAR Weekend on Sept.16. The ticket-renewal process for previous years' ticket holders is now under way. Times for all events will be announced at a later date. FOX Sports will televise the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 for the second consecutive year. Sterling Marlin is the defending champion of the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. Jeff Gordon took the checkered flag in 2001. Jeff Burton won the 1999 and 2000 events and Mark Martin captured the inaugural race in 1998.(LVMS PR)(7-11-2002)
Las Vegas Next with Sponsor name? Speedway Motorsports Inc. sold another traditional name of one of its racetracks, and it could happen at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The publicly traded corporation announced Saturday that its Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., will be called Infineon Raceway for at least the next 10 years. Infineon, a computer chip company based in Munich, Germany, reportedly paid $35 million for the naming rights and other perks. Its North American headquarters is in nearby San Jose, CA. Bruton Smith, SMI chairman and chief executive, has said that he would consider selling naming rights to any of the SMI tracks but that the one in Las Vegas would likely be the last on his list. Jeff Motley, the LVMS director of communications, said selling the facility's name is possible.(Las Vegas Review Journal)(6-25-2002)
Las Vegas same date and sponsor? hearing that Las Vegas Motor Speedway will hold the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 on be March 2, 2003.(6-19-2002)
No Las Vegas Date..yet: Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials have not yet announced the date for their 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup race, but an LVMS ticket agent was telling callers this week that the speedway had "every reason to believe it will be the same weekend" as this year. The 2002 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at LVMS was held on Sunday, March 3.(Las Vegas Sun)(6-15-2002)
$89,131 raised at Auction: The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities kicked off its 2002 fundraising drive with a home run: the fourth annual NASCAR Driver Auction raised $89,131 for the needy children of Las Vegas and southern Nevada. The auction, held Thursday, Feb. 28, at Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, eclipsed last year's event, which raised $33,000. All 44 drivers entered in the Cup race were auctioned off, as well as 20 BGN drivers. Rusty Wallace drew the highest bid: $7,000. Winning bidders on Winston Cup Series competitors received the opportunity to ride in a convertible with their driver during the pre-race driver introduction lap. Winning bidders on BGN drivers were entitled to a "meet and greet" at driver introductions prior to the start of the race today. The top 15 Auction Bids:
1. .....Rusty Wallace -- $7,000
2. .....Tony Stewart -- $3,500
3. .....Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- $3,400
4. .....Stacy Compton -- $2,500
5. .....Jeff Gordon -- $2,500
6. .....Michael Waltrip -- $1,500
7. .....Bill Elliott -- $1,300
8. .....Mark Martin -- $1,250
9. .....Kevin Harvick -- $1,200
10. .Terry Labonte --$1200
11. .Jeff Burton --$1,200
12. .Kyle Petty --$1,150
13. .Bobby Labonte --$1,100
14. .Shawna Robinson --$1,100
15. .Dale Jarrett --$1,100.(LVMS PR)(3-2-2002)
LVMS Military Ceremony: Military appreciation will be the overriding theme during the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400/Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. An enlistment ceremony, the naming of a portion of the speedway, flyovers by fighter jets and patriotic songs will play prominent roles in the activities of March 1-3. The most notable recognition is the naming of the speedway's back straightaway as the "Nellis Straightaway." The backstretch sits parallel to the runways of Nellis Air Force Base and provides a foreground for daily air shows during race weekend. In addition, the National Anthem on both Saturday and Sunday will be sung by military personnel, F-15 and F-16 flyovers will take place, and Lt. Col. Richard McSpadden, the commander of the USAF Thunderbirds will be the grand marshal for Saturday's Sam's Town 300. The Thunderbirds, based at Nellis, are the Air Force's air demonstration squadron. On Sunday, a special enlistment ceremony will be conducted for the USAF Thunderbirds' Delayed Enlistment Program. Approximately 25 enlistees will take their oaths in the presence of one of America's highest-ranking military officers, Gen. John Handy, a four-star general and commander of the U.S. Transportation Command. The weekend starts with qualifying for both the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and Sam's Town 300 on Friday, March 1. The Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Busch Series race takes center stage on Saturday with a 1 p.m. green flag. The weekend culminates with the fifth running of the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Winston Cup event on Sunday. The race is scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. start. In addition the Pennzoil World of Outlaws will compete for three nights on the half-mile dirt track, Feb. 28-March 2.(LVMS PR)(2-26-2002)
Security and Traffic at Vegas: Even though the green flag will drop an hour later than in previous years, Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials are encouraging race fans to leave early for the March 3 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Winston Cup race. The speedway will use the same successful traffic pattern from the 2001 event, but increased security measures may cause delays at the gates. Speedway officials unveiled their traffic and security plan for this year's event during a news conference Wednesday at the speedway. See the LVMS Site for the rundown and more info.(2-21-2002)
Las Vegas Expects Largest Crowd: Despite the challenging economic conditions and some people's reluctance to travel, Las Vegas Motor Speedway's upcoming NASCAR Winston Cup event, the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, is on the verge of hosting its largest crowd in the five years of the event which is set for Feb. 28-March 3. At the current pace, LVMS is anticipating its largest one-day crowd. The attendance likely will climb well above 130,000 fans. The Las Vegas economy was one of the hardest hit by the events of Sept. 11. But the first weekend in March will bring thousands of people flocking to town. "I've talked to a number of business leaders throughout the community," Powell said. "And everyone is looking to NASCAR Weekend with great anticipation. One of the great benefits of the weekend is the tremendous impact it has on the local economy, with about 80 percent of the fans coming to Las Vegas from out of state. The weekend's effect on the economy is greater than $120 million according to estimates from the LVCVA (Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority)." Powell said many NASCAR fans have called the speedway recently seeking seats on the 1.5-mile oval's front straightaway, only to come away disappointed. "We simply don't have anymore," Powell said. "We're sold out of everything in permanent seating. The best option now is for the bleachers in Turn 3, and they provide excellent sight lines. And for that $75 ticket, fans receive not only admission to the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 on March 3 but also the Busch Series Sam's Town 300 March 2 and the Las Vegas 350 Craftsman Truck event Oct. 13.(LVMS PR)(2-20-2002)
Las Vegas Open House: Race fans are invited to Las Vegas Motor Speedway Feb. 16 for the Fourth Annual Open House from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Race fans will have an opportunity to experience all LVMS has to offer. The Bullring grandstands will be open to watch drivers from the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series practice, while The Strip will be open to watch the first Super Quick Points race and a special Camaro versus Firebird Trophy Drags all free of charge to spectators. Two-time NASCAR Winston West champion and current CTS driver, Brendan Gaughan will join the Bullring's 2001 Rookie-of-the-Year and NASCAR Late Model track champion Jason Allen for an autograph session from 10:00 to 11:00am. In addition, Orleans Racing will conduct a pit stop demonstration at noon in front of its shop. Fans also can enjoy displays by 600 Racing West, Derek Daly Academy, Driving 101 and the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Petty also will offer ride-alongs for a discounted price of $89 for three laps. Local Bullring and Strip drivers will have their cars on display as well. Free track tours also will be provided. LVMS will offer discounted concessions and 10% off merchandise in the Speedway World Gift Shop. Fans also have the opportunity to win prizes donated by Richard Petty Driving Experience, Driving 101, Derek Daly Academy and LVMS. The NASCAR Busch race from Daytona will be featured on a big-screen television. For the children, there will be a play area and an appearance by Big Al from the Orleans Hotel & Casino.(LVMS PR)(2-6-2002)
Vegas adds seats: The heavy demand for tickets to the March 3 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 has persuaded Las Vegas Motor Speedway to erect additional seats for this year's NASCAR Winston Cup race. The seats, which are positioned outside Turn 3 of the 1.5-mile superspeedway, will be sold as part of a three-race package called the .Las Vegas Triple Play.(for more info see the LVMS site)(2-1-2002)
Las Vegas Special: Race fans attending the 2002 Cup and BGN races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March will be able to enjoy amenities previously only available to corporate guests. LVMS will introduce the Speed Zone Pre-Race Pavilion: public hospitality for both Winston Cup and Busch Series races. Speed Zone will offer: Continental breakfasts, lunches and desserts; Non-alcoholic beverages; Driver appearances: Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon and Randy LaJoie on Saturday, March 2; and Rusty Wallace, Sterling Marlin and Jimmy Spencer on Sunday, March 3; Closed-circuit TV; Cash bar; Pre-race guided pit tours; Preferred parking passes. Prices for Speed Zone are: $79 for the Sam's Town 300, $99 for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 or $149 for both races. A Speed Zone ticket does not include admission to the grandstands.(See the LVMS site for more info)(1-4-2002)
LVMS Award: The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities (SCC) will award $196,000 in grants to local groups on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 6:00pm at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. SCC will present checks to 17 local charities that directly impact the lives of children at its third-annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Grant Distribution Ceremony. Grant checks will be presented to Westcare Nevada, Boulder Dam Area Council Boy Scouts of America, Learning For Life Boulder Dam Area/Boy Scouts, Girls and Boys Town, Las Vegas Sun Summer Camp, Opportunity Village, Hemophilia Foundation of Nevada, Boys and Girls Club of Henderson, Positively Kids, New Horizons Center, Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas, Children's Service Guild, North Las Vegas Center Ring Boxing Club, Make A Wish Foundation, Amerindian Inc., Classroom On Wheels and the Culture Shock youth dance troupe. In 2001, the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities raised money through various local events, including a NASCAR driver auction and go-kart race.(LVMS PR)(11-27-2001)
Las Vegas Starter: Pasadena Maryland's Amanda Zimmerman, 16, will give the command: "Gentlemen, start your engines!" at the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 in Las Vegas on March 3rd, 2002. You see, Amanda has hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which means she only has half a heart, and it is on the wrong side of her body, a condition known as dextrocardia. She also has situs inversus, which means all of her organs are on the wrong side. The reason for these ailments is that she was supposed to be a twin, but her parents, Kurt and Rose Ann Zimmerman, didn't know they were having twins until one was lost in the womb. It was only then the Zimmermans found out Rose Ann was still pregnant. But it hasn't been easy to make it come true and, even now, it is something of a miracle that the Anne Arundel County girl is here and able to look forward to that day next year. "It's been my dream," Amanda said. "And now it's going to come true." Though Amanda is in need of heart and double-lung transplants, that is not something she likes to think about or talk about.(Baltimore Sun)(10-21-2001)
Vegas Tix: Tickets for the March 3, 2002 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 11th at 8:00am/pt, see www.lvms.com to purchase tickets. Tickets for the March 2 Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Busch Series race also will be on sale starting Tuesday.(LVMS PR)(9-5-2001)
LVMS Grant: The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities is accepting grant applications from child-related causes and foundations in the southern Nevada region. Last December, Speedway Children's Charities awarded over $100,000 in grants during its second-annual Christmas Tree-lighting and Grants Distribution Ceremony at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. SCC presented grant checks to 10 local charities that directly impact the lives of children, including: The Sam Schmidt Foundation, WestCare, Boys & Girls Club, Child Haven, Candlelighters, the Nevada Association for the Handicapped, STEPS Diversion Program, Amerindian, Natural History Art Museum, and the Culture Shock youth dance troupe. SCC volunteers raise funds for local causes through NASCAR driver auctions, celebrity golf tournaments, wine-tasting parties, celebrity Go-Kart races and raffles. The deadline to submit applications for grants is Sept. 21. For grant application information, contact Leslie Albers at (702) 228-2242. (8-13-2001)
Las Vegas Tix UPDATE: hearing that LVMS will no longer allow you to keep your same seat location unless you buy a special weekend package. You can ask for the same seats but they wont guarantee you will get them
UPDATE: Everyone has the opportunity to renew their seats. However, LVMS will allow people to renew on a priority basis. If you are a weekend package ticket holder, you have the opportunity to renew your seats and upgrade your seats first. There is an established deadline of Aug. 20 by which time the weekend pass holders tickets will no longer be held. Then it goes to last year's single-event ticket holders. While LVMS does not guarantee them their seats back, there is a likelihood they will get their seats back if they.request them. The only way a single-event ticket holder will not get their seats back is if a weekend ticket holder wants an upgrade and takes those seats. If that happens, LVMS will then give them the best available seats(8-13-2001)
Las Vegas Date: NASCAR's Winston Cup race in 2002 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be March 3, a source close to the racing series said. The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 will mark the fifth straight year that Nevada's biggest annual sports event will be the first Sunday in March. Speedway officials would not confirm the dates, but the track is taking ticket renewal orders for that weekend. The public can buy tickets beginning Sept. 11. It is believed that qualifying for the Cup and NASCAR Busch series races will be March 1, with the Busch race the next day.(Las Vegas Review-Journal)(7-11-2001)
LVMS Helps Out: Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Metro conducted an alcohol awareness program on Wednesday at the speedway's road course to show members of the local media the effects of alcohol on a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. "We want people to have fun and enjoy themselves this summer," said Chris Powell, executive vice president and general manager at LVMS. "But we also want people to be safe. We were happy to work with local law enforcement to help educate the public about the dangers of drinking and driving. These roads belong to all of us, and we want to do our part to help keep them safe." The event was conducted in a controlled environment. Media members and local police began the program by driving a specially designed course before consuming alcohol. The participants then began drinking shots of liquor, donated by DeLuca Liquor, until they reached the state's legal blood alcohol limit of .10. Once the drivers had exceeded the legal limit, they returned to the cars and attempted to complete the course again. "With summer here and people going to backyard barbecues and other events, we want to make people aware of the potential deadly mistake they could be making by drinking and driving," said Det. Bill Redfairn of Metro. "You need to think before you start drinking because you may not be here next year." The program also served as a final examination for some Metro officers who are training to handle drunken driving traffic stops. Officers spent Monday and Tuesday doing classroom training on handling potential DUI situations. "When you saw the difference between these drivers from when they were sober and when they reached the legal limit, it made you realize just what an impairment that drinking and driving is," Powell said. "We hope to make this an annual event, and I hope we save a good many lives in the process."(LVMS PR)(6-21-2001)
Nevada Law: A new law granting motorsports teams and sanctioning bodies an exemption from Nevada's sales and use taxes should make Nevada a motorsports mecca, according to Las Vegas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Chris Powell. "This is an historic moment for the state of Nevada,. Powell said. .This new law likely will lead to an influx of motorsports businesses to our state. We have heard already from several teams who have indicated that they're very interested in moving to Las Vegas. The new statute, signed into law by Gov. Kenny Guinn, goes into effect on Oct. 1 of this year.(LVMS PR)(6-14-2001)
New VP at Las Vegas: Ricky May, a former minor league baseball team owner and motorsports marketing executive, has been named vice president of sales and marketing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. May succeeds Howard Nemenz, who came to LVMS in 1999 and has decided to return to business in North Carolina. May will report for duty May 7, and Nemenz will remain on the staff through June 1 in order to assist in May's transition. May's resume is far-reaching and diverse. In 1981, the Durham Bulls made the 22-year-old May the youngest general manager in minor-league baseball history. In 1983, May began a three-year stint as an assistant athletic director at the University of Louisville. He left the collegiate ranks in 1985 to become manager of sports marketing for Valvoline. At Valvoline, he worked with Indy Racing star Al Unser Jr. and coordinated all of Valvoline's sports-marketing efforts. May, 42, is a North Carolina native and is a 1980 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.(LVMS PR)(4-20-2001)
Pretty SAD: Prior to the start of Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, race fans were told they would receive a commemorative poster of Dale Earnhardt as they left the speedway. Unfortunately, many unruly fans overran the speedway's security personnel as they passed out the posters. Many people then ran off with armloads and boxes of the posters as the security personnel feared for their safety. It's been very disappointing for the LVMS staff as well as the fans that the actions of such a select few have caused disappointment for so many. The speedway made a good faith effort to do something nice for its fans. The speedway appreciates the understanding of the many fans(3-8-2001)
Rumble at Vegas: Don King will make a special appearance with his World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and contender John Ruiz at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to sign autographs and pose for pictures with NASCAR Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip and 1999 Winston Cup champion Dale Jarrett prior to the NASCAR Winston West race scheduled for Wednesday evening. Holyfield and Ruiz will meet each for the WBA heavyweight title on Saturday night in the Mandalay Bay Events Center.(LVMS PR)(2-27-2001)
Las Vegas Open House TODAY: Las Vegas Motor Speedway.s third annual Open House is slated for Feb. 17. Free track tours, race car displays, autograph sessions, discounted merchandise and food and games for children are all on the schedule for the event, which will run from 9:00am to 3:00pm. NASCAR Winston West Series champion Brendan Gaughan and local Late Model Stock driver Chuck Trickle will sign autographs from noon-2 p.m. Worried about missing the big race(BGN) at Daytona?. LVMS has it covered with a tent and a big-screen TV.(LVMS PR)(2-11/17-2001)
Interesting Challenge at Las Vegas - Drivers: Thanks to The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, drivers who race in both the NASCAR Winston West event at the Bullring and the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Winston Cup race will compete for three nights of luxury at the Strip resort in The Venetian Challenge. Officials at The Venetian have agreed to offer any driver who can finish in the top three in both the Feb. 28 NAPA 300 and Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 the following:. a three-night stay in the hotel's Penthouse suite and the driver's spouse or significant other will receive a $20,000 shopping spree in the Grand Canal Shoppes.(LVMS PR). So far Brendan Gaughan
is the only one I know of who will attempt both(2-6-2001)
UPDATE: Michael Waltrip has committed to compete in the Feb. 28 NAPA Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Winston West Series event at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Waltrip, who drives the #15-NAPA Chevy for Dale Earnhardt in Cup, will make his first NASCAR Winston West starts since he won at Pikes Peak in July of 1997. Waltrip will be driving a car prepared by Orleans Racing and will be a teammate of defending series champion Brendan Gaughan and NASCAR veteran Herschel McGriff. Waltrip and Gaughan are scheduled to compete in both the NAPA Auto Parts 300 and the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Winston Cup event on Sunday, March 4. As part of The Venetian Challenge, they both will be eligible for a special bonus from The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino. If either driver places in the top three in both races they will receive a three-day stay in The Venetian's penthouse suite and their wife or significant other will receive a $20,000 shopping spree in The Grand Canal Shoppes(LVMS PR)(2-8-2001)
Hornaday Added: #14-Ron Hornaday has decided to compete in the NAPA Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Winston West Series event on Feb. 28 at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Hornaday, who will be competing in the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 on March 4, will be driving a car prepared by Las Vegas' Bobby Pangonis. Hornaday has six career wins in the NASCAR Winston West Series, but his last win came in 1996 at Colorado National Speedway in Erie, Colo. One of his wins came in 1994 at the old Las Vegas Speedway Park, which was the forerunner of the Bullring. Hornaday joins Michael Waltrip and Brendan Gaughan in The Venetian Challenge. "That is awesome," Hornaday said. "We.re going to win that deal and enjoy it. I'll even take the money and give it to charity."(LVMS PR)(2-11-2001)
Pit Passes at Vegas: For the first time ever, race fans attending Orleans Pole Day on March 2 will be allowed to purchase pit passes. The pit pass, which is good for Friday only and must accompany a ticket to qualifying, will allow fans to stand behind the pit wall during practice sessions and qualifying for both the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and the Sam's Town 300. Pit passes are $25 and can be purchased by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-644-4444. They also will be available at the ticket booths during race week(LVMS PR)(1-16-2001)
LVMS CTS Sponsor: The return of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to Las Vegas Motor Speedway also will mark the return of The Orleans Hotel and Casino as the event's title sponsor. The speedway and Coast Resorts, The Orleans' parent company, announced the multi-year deal. This year's race, which will be held Oct. 14, will be called The Orleans 350. The event is 350 kilometers in length (145 laps)(LVMS PR)(1-24-2001)
Las Vegas Camping News: Race fans who elect to camp at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during NASCAR Weekend will have to go only a short distance to shop for groceries and personal items. Albertson.s and Sav-on Drugs have agreed to set up a campground store in the speedway.s El Monte RV Corral during race week to service the thousands of campers who make the speedway their home away from home. Also, in 2000, LVMS added shower facilities and this year a campground store. The campground store will be set up prior to the arrival of campers on Feb. 27. A full menu of items will be posted later on the speedway's website, www.lvms.com(LVMS PR)(1-24-2001)
More Vegas News - Aero Changes? Drivers participating in Monday's NASCAR Winston Cup testing session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway were finding out late in the afternoon that they might be using a new aerodynamics package when they return to the speedway for the March 4 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. NASCAR president Mike Helton and Winston Cup director Gary Nelson were talking with drivers and team owners late in the day about trying some of the sanctioning body's ideas today, the second of five consecutive testing days at the speedway. Some of the series' top drivers probably will be asked to attach some items to their cars in a research and development mini-session(Las Vegas Review Journal)(1-30-2001)
CUP testing at Vegas UPDATE: Nearly every Cup team and many NASCAR Busch Series teams will participate in preseason practice at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Jan. 29 through Feb. 2, fans will be able to attend each of those sessions at no charge(LVRJ)(1-5-2001)
UPDATE: NASCAR will ask some of the teams testing at Las Vegas later this month to test aerodynamic packages aimed at disturbing the air moving over their cars at that track. Similar tests were done last year at Talladega before changes were implemented for the Winston 500 at that track in October. Those rules are also planned for use in this year's Daytona 500. The test at Las Vegas would be aimed at finding a combination to make competition closer at that 1.5-mile track, which hosts the season's third race on March 4, and that also might work for other races later this year(That's Racin')(1-11-2001)
Las Vegas News: Las Vegas Motor Speedway will celebrate the beginning of a new year with a number of staff promotions and additions. Former credentials manager Keri Wright has been named manager of the Bullring, LVMS' 3/8-mile paved short track. David Stetzer has been promoted from senior manager of short-track operations to director of short-track racing. Joey Mancari, former manager of short-track events, was appointed manager of promotions in the speedway's Sales and Marketing Department. Kirk Barkhimer, who served as a manager in the operations department as well as The Strip, has been named manager of the dirt oval and motocross track. Dana Hall, a graduate of Michigan State, has joined LVMS' public relations department as public relations coordinator. Hall most recently worked as a public relations coordinator for the Bragg-Smith Corvette School in Pahrump, NV. Dawn McDow is LVMS' newly appointed credentials coordinator, and Mary White was upgraded from part-time to full-time status in the ticketing department.(LVMS PR)(1-3-2001)
CUP testing at Vegas UPDATE: Nearly every Cup team and many NASCAR Busch Series teams will participate in preseason practice at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Jan. 29 through Feb. 2, fans will be able to attend each of those sessions at no charge(LVRJ)(1-5-2001)
UPDATE: NASCAR will ask some of the teams testing at Las Vegas later this month to test aerodynamic packages aimed at disturbing the air moving over their cars at that track. Similar tests were done last year at Talladega before changes were implemented for the Winston 500 at that track in October. Those rules are also planned for use in this year's Daytona 500. The test at Las Vegas would be aimed at finding a combination to make competition closer at that 1.5-mile track, which hosts the season's third race on March 4, and that also might work for other races later this year(That's Racin')(1-11-2001)
Las Vegas Charity UPDATE: The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities(SCC) will award $100,000 in grants to local groups on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. SCC will present checks to 11 local charities that directly impact the lives of children at its second-annual Christmas tree lighting and grant distribution ceremony at LVMS. Grant checks will be presented to The Sam Schmidt Foundation, WestCare, Boys & Girls Club, Child Haven, Candlelighters, the Nevada Association for the Handicapped, New Directions, Amerindian, Shade Tree, Natural History Art Museum, and the Culture Shock youth dance troupe. The ceremony, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will include the lighting of 11 Christmas trees -- one representing each charity. An exhibition by the Kirk L. Adams Elementary School Drill Team will be followed by a visit from Santa Claus(LVMS PR)(12-7-2000)
UPDATE: The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities (SCC) awarded over $100,000 in grants this evening during its second-annual Christmas Tree-lighting and Grants Distribution Ceremony at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. SCC presented grant checks to 10 local charities that directly impact the lives of children, including: The Sam Schmidt Foundation, WestCare, Boys & Girls Club, Child Haven, Candlelighters, the Nevada Association for the Handicapped, STEPS Diversion Program, Amerindian, Natural History Art Museum, and the Culture Shock youth dance troupe(LVMS PR)(12-14-2000)
Las Vegas adds Race: The NASCAR Winston West Series will make its first appearance ever at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2001. The event will kick off the annual NASCAR Winston Cup Series weekend at LVMS(more info at the LVMS site)(12-1-2000)
New Vegas Sponsor? UPDATE official: DaimlerChrysler, which is getting back into NASCAR racing in 2001 with its Dodge Intrepid R/T, will sponsor next year's Winston Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 will be held March 4, 2001, on the 1.5-mile superspeedway. LVMS general manager Chris Powell would neither confirm nor deny that the automaker would sponsor the race, but industry sources told the Sun on Monday that a deal had been reached between the two parties. LVMS officials have scheduled a news conference on Wednesday to formally announce the sponsorship. UAW-DaimlerChrysler will be the third sponsor of Las Vegas' Winston Cup race in its brief four-year history. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority sponsored the Las Vegas 400 in 1998 and 1999 before CarsDirect.com bought the naming rights for this year's race for a reported $1.9 million. Veteran Winston Cup crew chief Ray Evernham, who is spearheading DaimlerChrysler's return to NASCAR, has a three-day test session scheduled for Las Vegas Motor Speedway Nov. 6-8. Also on Monday, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and its Winston brand announced that the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway would be the inaugural "No Bull 5" race of the 2001 season(Las Vegas Sun)(10-17-2000)
UPDATE: The United Auto Workers and DaimlerChrysler have acquired title-sponsorship rights to the NASCAR Winston Cup event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, set in 2001 for March 4, will be called the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. The announcement was made Wednesday at the Showcase Mall beside the MGM Grand overlooking the famous Las Vegas Strip(LVMS PR)(10-19-2000)
Las Vegas Tix UPDATE: Race fans visiting Las Vegas Motor Speedway's ticket office on Monday morning to buy their NASCAR Winston Cup tickets in person do not need to eat breakfast before heading to the track. Finish Line Events, which provides food and beverage service as well as merchandise for all LVMS events, will prepare a hot breakfast for everyone who shows up to buy their tickets in person. Breakfast will be available beginning at 7 a.m., which coincides with the time tickets go on sale. Breakfast service will end at 10 a.m. AND September 11th is the first day tickets will be available to the public for the March 4, 2001, NASCAR Winston Cup event at the speedway. Everyone who orders tickets on Sept. 11 will be given their seat assignments at the time of purchase. Tickets orders will be accepted beginning at 7 a.m. (Pacific Time). Race fans may purchase tickets in person at the speedway ticket office, via telephone by calling 1-800-644-4444 or over the internet by logging on
to Tickets.com(LVMS PR)(9-8-2000)
UPDATE: Busy ticket agents and brisk sales highlighted the first day of ticket sales for the March 4, 2001, NASCAR Winston Cup event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "Most all of the race fans who bought tickets today are new ticket holders to Las Vegas Motor Speedway," said Chris Powell, LVMS' executive vice president and general manager. "Unlike previous years, our renewal notices for this past year's fans already have been processed. It was the remaining tickets that went on sale Monday, and our ticket office was quite busy. The race is not a sellout. We still have good seats available. But if we continue this current pace of selling tickets, the remaining tickets will go fast."(LVMS PR)(9-12-2000)
New PR at Las Vegas UPDATE: John Bisci has been hired by the Las Vegas Motor Speedway as Public Relations Manager to work under Public Relations Director Jeff Motley, starting on Sept 5th. Bisci takes over for Kimberly Miller, former LVMS PR Manager, who is leaving to work at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway(PR)(8-26-2000)
UPDATE: John Bisci has been hired as Public Relations Manager for Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 43-year-old native of Buffalo, NY, joined the LVMS staff on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Before moving to Las Vegas in August, Bisci -- a public relations and motorsports journalism veteran -- most recently coordinated media services for NASCAR Busch Series driver Hank Parker, Jr. and Team Marines Racing in Mooresville, N.C.(LVMS PR)(9-6-2000)
Trickle Dedication: The grass park at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's 3/8-mile paved oval will be dedicated to the late Chris Trickle on Monday, July 3rd at 3:00pm. Trickle's family will unveil a six-foot tall stone honoring the young NASCAR Southwest Tour driver who was randomly shot in 1997 on Blue Diamond Road. Trickle died a year later(LVMS PR)(6-30-2000)
Las Vegas Cup Date: Nevada's largest annual sports weekend will return to Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 1-4, 2001, it was announced by speedway officials on Thursday. The NASCAR Winston Cup Series will make its fourth visit to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 4, 2001. The Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Busch Series event will precede the NASCAR Winston Cup event on Saturday, March 3. The Pennzoil World of Outlaws also will return for three nights of action at the speedway's half-mile dirt oval March 1, 2 and 3.(LVMS PR)(6-29-2000)
LVMS/Trickle Story: Father's Day is a roller coaster of emotions for Trickle(6-16-2000)
Las Vegas Needs a Sponsor: Las Vegas Motor Speedway and CarsDirect.com, a California-based on-line automobile dealer, have agreed not to renew their contract for title sponsorship of the annual NASCAR Winston Cup
event at LVMS. Their focus is on bringing in a new, long-term partner for the 2001 season and beyond(LVMS PR)(5-24-2000)
Las Vegas Date: It appears the annual visit by the NASCAR Winston Cup series to Las Vegas Motor Speedway will continue to be on the first weekend in March. The date is set for March 4, 2001, according to a source close to the racing series(Las Vegas Review Journal)(5-3-2000)
Vegas Condos: Las Vegas Motor Speedway is believed to be in discussions with architects and builders to create a condominium high rise that would be built in either the second, third or fourth turns of the 1 1/2-mile racetrack and include about 50 condos(Las Vegas Review Journal)(5-8-2000)
Vegas, 2nd Race? Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials continue to lobby for a second NASCAR Winston Cup race. Chris Powell, the speedway general manager and vice president, said Monday he wants another Cup race. On Sunday morning before the CarsDirect.com 400, Bruton Smith, chief executive of Speedway Motorsports that owns the local track, reiterated his desire to move a Cup race to Las Vegas from Speedway Motorsports' Sears Point International Raceway near San Francisco(Las Vegas Review Journal)(3-11-2000)
SpeedVision: Bruton Smith Q&A, it's a long column, but pretty interesting. Smith talks about Sears Point date maybe to Las Vegas, fans, NASCAR, ISC....by Ben Blake(3-8-2000)
Las Vegas Fans: Las Vegas Motor Speedway announced today that it will institute a version of the "Fans First" campaign. Fans First is designed to show the speedway's commitment to improving customer service for motorsports fans. The speedway's Fans First program allows for extended ticket-renewal time, family sections in the grandstands, more fan amenities and much more. Also there will be no price increase for tickets to the NASCAR weekend in 2001. In fact, some ticket prices will come down. They are going to take the first 10 rows of seats in the turn-three grandstands and lower those prices. Among the other initiatives outlined in the LVMS plan will be the continued free parking in all lots, free shuttle services around the speedway's grounds during event weekend, free NASCAR Winston Cup Series pole-day tickets for fans purchasing a reserved seat to both the NASCAR Winston and NASCAR Busch Series races and a more immediate response time to fans' comments(LVMS)(3-5-2000)
2nd Vegas Race? Bruton Smith held court Friday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, one of six tracks his company, Speedway Motorsports Inc., owns on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit. Among the topics: whether Las Vegas, which hosts the CarsDirect.com 400 Sunday, deserves a second race date. Smith says he os not campaigning for it, but drivers he talks to wonder why there isn't a 2nd race there. Smith, of course, does not control the doling out of race dates. That task belongs to NASCAR and, ultimately, president Bill France Jr. The problem for Smith comes about in that France also owns SMI's chief competitor for race dates, International Speedway Corp., which owns, among other facilities, Daytona International Speedway. So there has been talk that if Smith is to get another race date for Las Vegas or, for that matter, his track in Fort Worth, Texas, he will have to move it from the Sears Point Raceway road course he owns in Sonoma, CA. In which,SMI's president, Humpy Wheeler says it could happen, because of purse payout, a great facility at Las Vegas and "you can do whatever you want to Sears Point, and it's not gonna be as good as this."(in part from the News and Observer)(3-4-2000)
LVMS: NASCAR weekend at LVMS includes 103 competitors(3-1-2000)
Scouts invited to LVMS events: Las Vegas Motor Speedway would like to invite members of local Scouting organizations to the speedway to enjoy the Sam's Town 300 with no admission charge. Scouts will be admitted free if accompanied by a paying adult. The scout must be in uniform to take advantage of this unique offer(LVMS PR)(3-1-2000)
Vegas Crowd: If Las Vegas Motor Speedway hadn't added around 15,000 seats since last year's record-breaking CUP race, the March 5 race would have been declared a sellout about a month ago. With the seating capacity stretched to about 130,000 and another 15,000 spectators in sky boxes, with motorhomes and standing-room areas, the attendance for the nationally televised CarsDirect.com 400 should be about 145,000. That will extend the speedway's hold on a Nevada record for a single-day crowd at a sporting event(Las Vegas Review-Journal)(2-28-2000)
Vegas Traffic: Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials and state and local law-enforcement agencies unveiled a new traffic and transportation plan that will improve significantly the flow of traffic in and out of the speedway during the March 2-5 NASCAR weekend. Approximately a quarter of a million people are expected to visit the speedway during the four-day weekend. The CarsDirect.com 400 NASCAR Winston Cup event, scheduled for Sunday, March 5, is expected to attract more than 140,000 spectators, making it the largest one-day spectator event in Nevada's history. The widening of Las Vegas Boulevard from two lanes to seven traffic lanes, a new right-of-way from Interstate 15 at the Speedway Boulevard exit and a secured bus route from the Las Vegas Strip and downtown will alleviate much of the traffic congestion usually associated with such a large event. LVMS officials are encouraging all commercial vehicles and people needing credentials to use Las Vegas Boulevard. All private passenger vehicles should use Interstate 15 and exit at Speedway Boulevard. Race fans are encouraged, however, to use the Citizen's Area Transit(LVMS PR)(2-26-2000)
Las Vegas and King: Richard 'The King' Petty will visit the gaming capital of the world to act as grand marshal for the CarsDirect.com 400 NASCAR Winston Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Prior to the start of the third annual event, seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Richard Petty will give the drivers the command to start their engines by saying the four most famous words in motorsports, "Gentleman, start your engines." Moments after the command, Scott Painter, founder and vice chairman of CarsDirect.com, will wave the green flag to signal the start of the 267-lap race, which will be televised live on ABC Sports. Bill Boyd, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Boyd Gaming, will serve as the grand marshal for the Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on March 4. Long-time Las Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton will serve as the honorary starter for the Sam's Town 300(LVMS PR)(2-22-2000)
Speedway Motorsports: NASCAR isn't the only racing entity seeking to expand their media horizons. Bruton Smith, owner of Speedway Motorsports Inc. announced today the purchase of Racing Country USA, a nationally syndicated radio show from Morris International. Founded in 1990 as NASCAR Country, Racing Country USA is a two-hour program reaching over 300 affiliates nationwide. The format includes country music, NASCAR-related features and interviews with top personalities from both venues(Speedway Illustrated)(2-18-2000)
Las Vegas Open House: Saturday's (Feb 19th, today) open house at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will give race fans a sneak peak at the upcoming racing season at LVMS as well as provide an exciting day of racing fun. Free track tours, go-kart rides, ticket specials, discounted rides from the Richard Petty Driving Experience and show cars from many different forms of racing will greet racing fans at the open house, which runs from 9am-4pm, Vegas Time. And for fans not wanting to miss the NASCAR Busch Series event from Daytona, large-screen televisions will be set up for viewing. Las Vegas' Brendan Gaughan, who will make his NASCAR Winston Cup debut, will be on hand to sign autographs from 1-3 p.m. Lucky fans also will have the chance to register to win tickets to the Pennzoil World of Outlaws, Northern Light Indy Racing league event and the inaugural SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals. NHRA Pro Stock standout and Las Vegas resident George Marnell will have his dragster on display as well(LVMS PR)(2-19-2000)
Las Vegas Roads and Tickets: The joint project between LVMS and the Nevada Department of Transportation will allow almost three times the volume of traffic to enter the speedway property as compared to 1999. Crews from NDOT continue working on schedule to finish the roadway improvements. The relationship between LVMS and NDOT has allowed the project to move ahead smoothly. The road widening is one of several projects currently underway to improve events on the LVMS property. And.... Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Tickets.com have entered into a multi-year agreement that will allow Tickets.com to be the exclusive electronic ticket outlet for the speedway(LVMS PR)(1-28-2000)
Vegas Showers: First Watkins Glen now....Campers flocking to Las Vegas Motor Speedway's El Monte RV Park will find one of the comforts of home when they arrive for the March 2-5 CarsDirect.com 400 NASCAR Winston Cup weekend. Two 18-wheel trailers equipped with full-service showers and sinks will be set up in the RV compound to allow campers an added luxury not present at many racing facilities. The Cascade Company of Monroe, Wash., is providing the 16-shower trailers. There will be one trailer for men and one for women. They will be open during the morning and evening hours and available to everyone camping in the El Monte compound(LVMS PR)(1-26-2000)
LVMS News: Race fans attending a Feb. 19 open house at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be treated to free tours of the entire facility, discounts from the Richard Petty Driving Experience, discounted concessions and merchandise, special ticket deals and go-kart rides courtesy of Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix. The open house is set to run from 9am to 4pm. There also will be several big-screen televisions set up during the morning hours for fans to watch the NASCAR Busch Series race from Daytona International Speedway. The go-kart rides will begin immediately following the conclusion of the race from Daytona. There are also special ticket deals for fans attending the open house. Anyone purchasing four tickets to either the CarsDirect.com 400 NASCAR Winston Cup race or the Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Busch Series race will receive a choice of a 10-percent discount coupon from the speedway's gift shop or half price on tickets for Bud Pole Day, which will be held Friday, March 3.(LVMS PR)(1-21-2000)
Vegas Construction: Las Vegas Motor Speedway is undergoing a facelift with numerous construction projects including the widening of Las Vegas Boulevard, demolition of the second floor of the pit-road building and the new dragway. The Nevada Department of Transportation began widening Las Vegas Boulevard in November in an effort to improve traffic flow to and from events at LVMS. The widening of the road will be ready in time for the March 2-5 CarsDirect.com 400 NASCAR Winston Cup weekend. Also in preparation for the NASCAR Winston Cup event, construction crews began demolition on the second floor of the pit-road building at the 1.5-mile superspeedway in December and will finish phase one of the project in mid-February. On the northwest corner of the speedway.s 1,600-acre property, the construction of a state-of-the-art drag-racing facility began in October and is the site for a national event sanctioned by the National Hot Road Association on April 6-9, 2000(LVMS PR)(1-20-2000)
Insurance and Speedways UPDATE: Nationwide Insurance will sponsor a safety program at tracks owned by Speedway Motorsports. The company will make a $1,000 donation to Speedway Children's Charities in the name of a driver who most notably demonstrates safety during a race. It will provide fan assistance during races and a booth so pictures of children can be taken to assist in identification in case they become lost(St Peterburg Times)(1-12-2000) -- UPDATE: Some more info on the Nationswide sponsorship at the six Speedway Motorsports tracks. It includes: 1.) Sponsorship of the safety vehicles used at those six tracks (including new uniforms for the personnel), 2.) Nationwide Fan Assistance patrol, (10 golf carts at each track to help with medical transports, and serve as roving information booths answering questions, giving directions, etc.), 3.) "Safe Driving Move of the Race", (reminiscent
of the Raybestos break of the race) and finally 4.) the child registration booth already mentioned. This is tied into the Nat'l Center for Missing and Exploited children. Nationwide will also have a hospitality tent at each track and a program to give away 50 tickets per race by the Nationwide State Management team for each home state for the track(1-14-2000)
LVMS News: Speedway Motorsports, Inc. sold the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Industrial Park and some 280 acres of undeveloped land directly across I-15 from Las Vegas Motor Speedway(SpeedVision)(1-14-2000)
LVMS News: Brian Dewitt has been named coordinator of public relations for Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
He will primarily be responsible for dragway public relations and the speedway's website(LVMS PR)(1-4-2000)
Vegas Tickets: Las Vegas Motor Speedway has released some tickets for the Winston Cup CarsDirect.com 400 that were not paid for on the due date to the public for sale. Many of these seats are prime seats. Race fans interested in purchasing these tickets can either call the ticket office at (800) 644-4444 or can e-mail to media@lvms.com to purchase these tickets(LVMS Site)(12-20-1999)
Las Vegas Construction UPDATE Award: On Thursday(12-16), Las Vegas Motor Speedway is to begin the process of tearing the top floor off of the two-story pit road building. The only part of the top floor that will be left standing will be the media center and the photographer's lounge. The rest of it will be cropped off. The reason for this is to improve sight lines for fans in the grandstands, whose view of the back stretch are obstructed by the building(12-16-1999) -- UPDATE: Las Vegas Motor Speedway received the 1999 Tourism Development Award at the 16th Annual Governor.s Conference on Travel and Tourism. Nevada Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt presented the award during a ceremony and dinner at the Paris Hotel and Casino Wednesday night. Also, see the full story of the construction at the LVMS site(12-17-1999)
Vegas Charities: The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities will award $65,000 in grants to groups located in Las Vegas on Tuesday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Five charitable groups who benefit or help children will be presented checks as a result of the yearlong fund-raising campaign by SCC. The foundation began its fundraising efforts in March by auctioning parade-lap rides with NASCAR Winston Cup drivers prior to the Las Vegas 400. This was the first of several events which included the inaugural Karting For Kids 500; the Clean Up Sam Campaign, where Indy Racing League driver Sam Schmidt agreed to shave his signature sideburns in exchange for a $3,000 donation to SCC; and the Motorized Media Mayhem race, in which local media representatives raced Legends cars at the speedway's 3/8-mile paved oval. SCC will present grants to Shade Tree, Safe Nest, New Directions, Candlelighters and Child Haven. The ceremony will be held in the lobby of the speedway's administration building(Las Vegas Sun Site)(12-12-1999)
WoO and Cup UPDATE: Three Pennzoil World of Outlaws(WoO) Series races will be run in conjunction with the Cup Series events in 2000. They will run twice at Lowe's Motor Speedway(Charlotte) and once at Texas Motor Speedway in conjunction with Winston Cup events. Ground was broken in August for dirt tracks at TMS and LMS, both owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc(SpeedNet) -- UPDATE: oops on the WoO...they will also run at Las Vegas the same weekend as the Cup cars(11-30-1999)
Las Vegas Race Sponsor UPDATE: Bruton Smith might be looking to gain more than a sponsor for next year's NASCAR Winston Cup race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A speedway official confirmed Thursday that representatives of the facility are in the final stages of negotiating with CarsDirect.com to be the title-rights sponsor for the track's March 5, 2000, Cup race. The speedway has tentatively set Nov. 3 as a date for an official announcement(Las Vegas Review Journal) AND Las Vegas Motor Speedway has negotiated what is believed to be the most lucrative single-race sponsorship in auto racing for its NASCAR Winston Cup race in March. CarsDirect.com, an Internet website that allows consumers to purchase automobiles on the World Wide Web, has agreed in principle to serve as the title sponsor for the March 5, 2000, Winston Cup race. According to industry sources, the title sponsorship fee is in the neighborhood of $1.9 million, which would be a record for a Winston Cup race(Las Vegas Sun)(10-15-1999) -- UPDATE: CarsDirect.com, the first internet car company that allows consumers to complete automobile transactions on-line, has acquired title sponsorship rights to the NASCAR Winston Cup event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for 2000. The event will be called the CarsDirect.com 400(Racing West) AND a TNN Motorsports Site story: Las Vegas Motor Speedway Gets Dot-Com Sponsor(11-3-1999)
Vegas Changes: Las Vegas Motor Speedway made two significant changes in its 2000 racing schedule Thursday as track officials elected to drop its annual NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and move its Indy Racing League event from the fall to the spring. As a result of the IRL date change, LVMS may wind up hosting the top drivers in Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) after all, even as negotiations to bring a CART race to the Speedway apparently have stalled(Las Vegas Sun)(10-29-1999)
Las Vegas News: Bruton Smith might be looking to gain more than a sponsor for next year's NASCAR Winston Cup race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A speedway official confirmed Thursday that representatives of the facility are in the final stages of negotiating with CarsDirect.com to be the title-rights sponsor for the track's March 5, 2000, Cup race. The speedway has tentatively set Nov. 3 as a date for an official announcement(Las Vegas Review Journal) AND Las Vegas Motor Speedway has negotiated what is believed to be the most lucrative single-race sponsorship in auto racing for its NASCAR Winston Cup race in March. CarsDirect.com, an Internet website that allows consumers to purchase automobiles on the World Wide Web, has agreed in principle to serve as the title sponsor for the March 5, 2000, Winston Cup race. According to industry sources, the title sponsorship fee is in the neighborhood of $1.9 million, which would be a record for a Winston Cup race(Las Vegas Sun)(10-15-1999)
LMS Gets Even Bigger: Officials of Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte/Concord unveiled plans for a massive new high-tech structure that will create nearly 11,000 new seats on the 1.5-mile track's frontstretch and provide a
much-needed expansion for the popular Speedway Club -- all in time for the 2000 race season. Of the 10,860 new seats, the 4,317-seat veranda extension will be available exclusively to LMS Speedway Club members, with the 896-chair VIP level and 5,647-place upper deck tickets offered to the general public in a season ticket package. The construction marks a net increase in permanent seating for Lowe's Motor Speedway of 10,254 units, bringing the total racetrack capacity to 167,254(TNN's Motorsports Site)(7-31-1999)
Pocono Not Selling: a few days old but....Pocono Raceway owner Dr. Joseph Mattioli on Thursday categorically denied he was considering selling his 2.5-mile track to racing magnate Bruton Smith. Mattioli attempted to end renewed speculation that Smith would purchase the track in Long Pond, Pa., and move one of its two NASCAR Winston Cup dates to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which Smith's Speedway Motorsports, Inc., also owns. See Pocono race not moving to LVMS by Brian Hilderbrand(Las Vegas Sun)(7-28-1999)
Las Vegas Announcement UPDATE: Announcement of another major motorsports event coming to Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The announcement will take place at 10am(local time) on Tuesday July 20th at LVMS. One crazy rumor has Bruton Smith buying Pocono and moving BOTH dates, one to Texas and one to Vegas...but my sources tell me it's to announce an NHRA National, for the new dragstrip at the track, sounds a little more feasible(7-12-1999) -- UPDATE: maybe this is it: Speedway considers four-lane drag strip by Jeff Wolf of the Las Vegas Review Journal(7-14-1999)
Smith and Track Dates: If Bruton Smith wants to add second NASCAR Winston Cup races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway next year, he can. Smith, chief executive of Speedway Motorsports Inc., owns those tracks and four others that have Cup races. He could move the first of two Cup dates from his Atlanta Motor Speedway, because its March race always seems plagued by bad weather. See the rest of the story at: Date could move to Las Vegas(Las Vegas Review Journal)(7-2-1999)
Vegas Seats Shrink: The Las Vegas Motor Speedway announced this week that it will reduce the amount of space allotted to each fan on the bench seats from 20 inches to "an industry standard" 18 inches, according to General Manager Chris Powell. That, in turn, will generate an additional $1 million or so into the Speedway Motorsports Inc. coffers. Perhaps SMI will use the additional money to improve traffic flow into and out of the facility during its Winston Cup weekend and truly make the Speedway fan friendly(Las Vegas Sun)(6-19-1999)
Vegas 2nd Date, Smith Talks: Despite the recent merger of International Speedway Corp. and Penske Motorsports Inc., and comments by ISC chairman and NASCAR president Bill France to the contrary, Las Vegas Motor Speedway owner Bruton Smith remains confident Las Vegas will get a second NASCAR Winston Cup race. See complete SpeedNet story at: Bruton: Second Cup date possible(6-16-1999)
Vegas Increase: Racing fans who are receiving their ticket renewal order forms for the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway are being faced with a good news/bad news proposition. The good news is that the majority of the ticket prices in the less desirable Section 4 are being reduced by an average of $7 for next year's race. The bad news is that the majority of tickets in Sections 1 through 3 are being increased by an average of $12 -- and there will be fewer of the lower-priced seats available(Las Vegas Sun)(5-4-1999)
Las Vegas Ratings UPDATE: Last week's Las Vegas 400 not only was the most-attended sporting event in Nevada history, but it also was the second-most watched race in NASCAR history, excluding the Daytona 500. The second annual race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which featured brothers Jeff and Ward Burton battling over the final 35 laps, had a 6.0 rating, marking a 3 percent increase over the inaugural event, according to ABC. The 6.0 rating translates to a 15 share, which means the race was watched by an estimated 5.99 million households(icFlorida)(3-12-1999) -- The 1997 inaugural Winston Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway drew a 6.4 rating, making it the most-watched NASCAR race other than a Daytona 500(SpeedNet)(3-13-1999)
Vegas Traffic Problems: story about the traffic at LVMS at SpeedNet - Traffic, other snags turn off many fans (3-9-1999)
Vegas Changes: Don’t be surprised to see some changes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Bruton Smith’s operatives have been going over the 1.5-mile track with a fine-toothed comb searching for possible improvements and quizzing drivers, teams and media about likes and dislikes. Among the possible changes being pondered are: razing the two-story building behind pit row because it blocks the view of the back stretch for many fans, extending the pits farther out to reduce the mammoth grassy space in the track’s tri-oval and increasing the banking in the turns from 12 to 18-24 degrees(Gaston Gazette-Monte Dutton), also see the article at the Las Vegas Review Journal - LV Speedway's Bold New Course(3-7-1999)
Vegas Hires: Harold Nemenz and Bob Miller have accepted positions with the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Nemenz, 47, was named vice president of sales and marketing
while Miller was named director of facilities. He spent the last nine years as manager of three radio stations in Winston-Salem, NC. Miller, 55, returns to the same position he held from 1996-97. He left Las Vegas to serve as director of operations at Pike's Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colo. He spent 11 years at Sears Point Raceway(SpeedNet)(3-3-1999)
Las Vegas: Bob Miller has been named director of facilities at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it was announced by LVMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Chris Powell. The 55-year old Miller comes to LVMS for the second time. He was facilities superintendent for the track from 1996-97 before becoming director of operations at Pike's Peak International Raceway in Fountain, CO(RaceWire)(2-11-1999)
Tickets to Vegas? If you do you may wish to check this out - Ticket snafu at speedway affects fans, Due to a computer crash, fans will not be sitting in the seats they originally bought for March's Las Vegas 400.(Las Vegas Review-Journal - thanks Mark)(2-9-1999)
Infield at Vegas: After quickly selling out its motor home parking for March's NASCAR weekend, Las Vegas Motor Speedway has opened a section of its infield for more parking. See the story at Speedway offers infield spots for NASCAR weekend(Las Vegas Review-Journal)(2-2-1999)
Las Vegas has tickets: the Las Vegas Motor Speedway website has a new ticket offer. They have reserved-seat tickets for the Winston Cup race as well as the BGN race March 6-7, 1999. There is a perception that the Winston Cup race is a sellout which is not true(1-19-1999)
LVMS no 2nd date: It will be up to new owner Bruton Smith to move one of his existing Winston Cup races if Las Vegas Motor Speedway intends to host a second race, according to NASCAR president Bill France. See the complete Las Vegas Sun article at - NASCAR won't add 2nd race at LVMS(1-14-1999)
Texas and Vegas: See the story by Holly Cain of the Dallas News at Smith's new purchase could shake up TMS(12-17-98)
New VP for Vegas? Yep I hear RJR's Chris Powell is the new Executive Vice President at Las Vegas Motor Speedway(12-16-98) -- Less than a week after being purchased by O.Bruton Smith's Speedway Motorsports, Las Vegas now has a new executive vice president and General Manager, Chris Powell. Powell has worked for Sports Marketing Enterprises, a division of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., for the past 11 years. Since 1994, he has served as the manager of media relations and publicity on the Winston Cup program. Previously, Powell worked on publicity and event operations for other RJR programs, including NHRA Winston Drag Racing and the Vantage and Nabisco golf sponsorships(SpeedNet)(12-17-98)
It's Official UPDATE 2: Speedway Motorsports Inc. announced Thursday it completed a deal worth $215 million for the purchase of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, warehouse space and nearly 300 acres of nearby real estate. Bruton Smith, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, said Thursday a deal was closed on Dec. 1 to purchase the speedway for $150 million and another $65 million for the real estate. A formal announcement will be made in Las Vegas at 3 p.m. Monday, and broadcast by satellite at Charlotte Motor Speedway, another one of Speedway Motorsports' holdings. See the complete story at That's Racin' - Smith announces purchase of Las Vegas track and an AP story at Yahoo - Las Vegas Speedway Bought for $215M(12-10-98) -- The sale of Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be formally announced at 3pm Monday, December 14, and will be broadcast via satellite(TNN)(12-12-98) -- see latest story at GoRacing: The Deal is Done --- Smith Owns Vegas(12-14-98) -- A few final story story links: Bruton Smith says Las Vegas track was a deal and an AP story - Second Winston Cup race in Las Vegas a possibility(12-15-98)
This could be BIG - Vegas to be sold? MAYBE? UPDATE 4 Hearing the Las Vegas Motor Speedway may be sold soon. Supposedly both Bill France Jr and Bruton Smith are players in the rumored sell(TV Times)(11-30-98) -- but I now hear neither Smith or France will be involved and another player is involved(12-1-98) -- Hear the Las Vegas Sun will have an article on the possible sale Today - Here it is - O. Bruton Smith, who brought 100,000-seat facilities and luxury suites to stock-car racing and owns five NASCAR Winston Cup Series tracks, is on the verge of buying Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Sun has learned. See the complete article at the Las Vegas Sun site: Sources say speedway on brink of being sold - Racing Magnate Smith Ready to buy facility for estimated $250 million by Brian Hilderbrand (thanks Mr McLaughlin for the heads up) -- Speedway Motorsports Inc. chairman Bruton Smith is expected to be in Las Vegas on Monday to announce his company's purchase of Las Vegas Motor Speedway(That's Racin')(12-8-98) -- Another story at the News and Record Online - Bruton Smith's Speedway Motorsports nearing purchase of Las Vegas Speedway; Also hearing ISC may attempt to make a counter offer and I hear the track will not be sold, so what is it? who knows...this will get interesting(12-9-98) -- An updated story on the situation at That's Racin': Sale of Vegas track a done deal, sources say by Juliet Macur of the Orlando Sentinal. Mention's an outbidding of ISC by Smith.(12-10-98)
Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the site of a large auction of
classic motorcycles on Oct. 3. Among the vehicles to be auctioned are a 1947 bike owned by Steve McQueen and a 1941 Harley Davidson owned by Clark Gable.(SpeedNet)(9-18-98)
Two of Las Vegas' largest sporting events will take place on the same weekend, thanks to NASCAR's decision -- announced last weekend -- to push the local Winston Cup race back to March 7, 1999. The Western Athletic Conference basketball championships run March 3-6, with the men's championship game tipping off at the Thomas & Mack Center hours after the Busch Grand National race finishes about 25 miles away at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. See the rest of the story at: NASCAR, WAC race for space.(Las Vegas Review Journal)(9-3-98)
After selling 107,000 tickets for the Las Vegas 400, local officials say the race will be a week later. Because NASCAR is adding races(actually A race) to its Winston Cup series, the date of next year's Las Vegas 400 has been moved back a week, from Feb. 28 to March 7, 1999, a Las Vegas Motor Speedway official said Saturday. See the story at: NASCAR changes race date.(Las Vegas Review-Journal)(8-30-98)
The Las Vegas 300 Cup race will be held on Sunday, February 28, 1999 per a letter/ticket invoice from a reader.(6-8-98)(INCORRECT!)
The long-rumored sale of Las Vegas Speedway may be about to go down, according to NASCAR sources. The question: Can Bill France lock it up before Bruton Smith can put anything in motion?(JournalNow)(5-15-98)
There are reports that Bill France is negotiating to buy the Las Vegas Speedway. And there is talk if France does buy the track, that it might host two Winston Cup events. France has said over the years that he was not interested in giving any track two dates. But after buying Phoenix last year, France began to hedge on that issue, hinting a second date for Phoenix might be in the cards.(JournalNow)(3-23-98)
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Chairman of the Board Richie Clyne estimated 84 percent of the estimated crowd of 120,000 traveled from outside Nevada.(SpeedNet)(3-2-98)
According to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway website there will be NO coolers allowed at the track on race weekend. Yikes, but you can bring in your own water.(2-23-98)
FOX Network Officials are interested in buying Las Vegas Motor Speedway, in order to get a foothold in the sport, according to NASCAR sources.(JournalNow)(2-14-98)
For info on the Las Vegas WC race see the following sites: VegasDeluxe Racing Page
and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Less than a month away(2-10-98)
I hear the Bahres(owners of New Hampshire Speedway) won't be running Las Vegas Motor Speedway much longer(12-6-97)
The Dallas Morning News reports: "While NASCAR on Tuesday morning was awarding Las Vegas Motor Speedway a highly coveted 1998 Winston Cup race, Speedway Motorsports Inc. chairman Bruton Smith said he would put up a $5 million purse for a second TMS date in '98". see the link at TMS offers NASCAR $5 million enticement(8-13-97)
Las Vegas got the old Richmond spring date which in turn has been moved to Saturday night, June 6, 1998(RPM2Nite)(8-13-97)
SURPRISE: Las Vegas Motor Speedway executives and NASCAR announced March 1, 1998 as the newest date on the series schedule. The complete 1998 schedule for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series will be announced in the future(NASCAR Online)(8-12-97)
Dave reports: "I just got home from a press conference held down town Las Vegas in front of the Golden Nugget casino. The conference started at 11:30 local time. Michael Buffer was the Master of Ceremonies. After his "let's get ready to rumble", several race cars on display fired up. On display was Rusty's car(#2 Lite Ford), the Kodak car(#4 Chevy), Earnhardt's car(#3 Goodwrench Chevy) and three cars from R. Petty's Driving Experience. Bill France announced that the "Las Vegas 400" would be held March 1, 1997 with a Busch race to precede the day before. T. Wayne Robinson, R.J.R. sports rep was in attendance as well as Richie Cline of the LVMS. It was announced that the Las Vegas visitors and convention authority will sponsor the Winston Cup race. Drivers in attendance were Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Bill Elliott & Richard Petty"(thanks Dave)(8-12-97)
A press conference scheduled for 8-12-97 in Las Vegas where NASCAR is expected to announce the March 1998 WC race date. It was also reported that a number of WC drivers would be in attendance(8-2-97)
I hear Las Vegas Motor Speedway already has their mailing list printed up and read to be sent. All they are waiting for is NASCAR to make the official announcement(7-20-97)
As for race dates in 1998: I hear now that Las Vegas will get a date in 1998 (either March 1st or 15th), No 2nd date for California or Texas until 1999 and Fontana and Sonoma will swap dates in 1998(7-14-97)
Bob Bahre says he is still looking for someone to take over management of Las Vegas Speedway, which is expected to be the newest stop on the Winston Cup tour next spring.(JournalNow)(7-14-97)
Bill France is all but confirming a new WC race at Las Vegas next spring, but is delaying any decision on a second date at Texas and California for a while, according to sources close to the NASCAR boss. France issued invitations two weeks ago to teams for the November Suzuka race, but he's finding the race a very hard sell(7-12-97)
More JournalNews: The Future of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is suddenly up for debate in the WC garage. A few weeks ago it appeared to have a lock on a NASCAR race date in 1998. Things may be shaky. For one thing, the track, at $150 million, is probably quite overpriced for what anyone might be willing to pay for it. For another, Bob Bahre (owner of NHIS) is so far not having much success finding anyone interested in helping him run it. He hints now he might be looking at Eddie Gossage, the man who helped with the speedy completion of Bruton Smith's Fort Worth track. Jayski's take on this: Gossage working for Smith and Bahre, no way, and Smith will probably find some legal way to keep Gossage(6-14-97)
Winston Cup eyes Las Vegas. Richard Petty confirms TV reports that Las Vegas Motor Speedway will get a top-level NASCAR event(5-18-97)
From a reader in Las Vegas: Per the Sports Director at KTNV TV in Vegas. Las Vegas Motor Speedway will get a Winston Cup race data next year, to be held on the first weekend in March. LVMS has not made any offical announcement yet, however, two sources at NASCAR have confirmed it. The Richmond race will be moved to the summer.(as rumored before here)(5-15-97)
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Officials have announced an agreement with Bob and Gary Bahre to manage the race track. Bob Bahre presently owns New Hampshire International Speedway. Rumor has it that if NASCAR does not give Vegas a Winston Cup date in 1998, Bahre will take one of his two dates there, rumor also has it that NASCAR plans on giving Vegas a 1998 WC race so rumor #1 may be a moot point(5-13-97)
I hear NASCAR will add a 33rd race to the 1998 schedule with Las Vegas being the addition(4-29-97)
