2016 Race Winner: #2-Brad Keselowski, 138.170, started 4th

Track Race Record: Brad Keselowski, March 2014, 154.633mph

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

2016 Pole Winner: #41-Kurt Busch, 196.328, finished 9th

Track Config Qualifying Record: Kurt Busch, 3/4/2016, 196.378 (first round)>/P>

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

Most Races: 18 - Jeff Gordon

Most Races Active: 17 - Matt Kenseth & Dale Earnhardt Jr.

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

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

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

Most Top 10s: 10 - Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin; 9 - Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth

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, 3/9/2014, 3/10/2015

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 in a race: 219 - Jeff Gordon, 2/28/2010

Most Laps Led by race winner: 142 - Kevin Harvick, 3/8/2015

Fewest Laps Led by race winner: 1 - Jimmie Johnson 3/12/2006

Most Wins by Manufacturer: 9 - Ford; 7 - Chevy; 2 - Toyota; 1 - Dodge

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

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

LVMS announces race-stage information for 2017 NASCAR Weekend: Race breaks have been set for all 2017 NASCAR national events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, LVMS announced on Friday. Under NASCAR's new stage-based racing format, each track's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series races are being broken into three segments in an effort to enhance in-race excitement for fans. LVMS's 267-lap Kobalt 400 will have breaks after laps 80 and 160, on Sunday, March 12, while the 200-lap Boyd Gaming 300 on Saturday, March 11, will break after laps 45 and 90. In addition, the 146-lap Sept. 30 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race will have breaks at laps 35 and 70.
In the new format, the top 10 finishers of the first two stages of each race will be awarded additional championship points, and the winner of each stage will receive one playoff point. The caution flag will come out to signify the end of each stage, and race teams are permitted to access pit road if they choose during the scheduled breaks.
"NASCAR has always been committed to improving its product, and we are excited to see how these new changes will enhance an already thrilling race weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway," LVMS President Chris Powell said. "The Kobalt 400 and Boyd Gaming 300 will be more exciting than ever before, and we are confident our fans will enjoy the added intensity of every lap at our 1.5-mile cathedral. It's going to be another great NASCAR Weekend at LVMS, and we can't wait to see the action get started in four weeks."
LVMS' 2017 NASCAR Weekend begins with Stratosphere Pole Day on Friday, March 10, continues with the NASCAR Xfinity Series Boyd Gaming 300 on Saturday, March 11, and finishes with the 20th Kobalt 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, March 12. All children 12 and under get in free on Friday and Saturday with a ticketed adult and can attend the Kobalt 400 alongside a ticketed adult for just $10 on Sunday. Call 1-800-644-4444 or log on to www.LVMS.com to order tickets.(LVMS)(2-10-2017)

Hauler Parade returns to Las Vegas: The wildly popular NASCAR Hauler Parade is coming back to Las Vegas. NASCAR fans can see their favorite drivers' haulers make their way up the Las Vegas Strip beginning at 6:00pm/pt on Thursday, March 9, as the city and Las Vegas Motor Speedway kick off the 2017 NASCAR Weekend. The parade is a favorite among racing fans and will begin at the Las Vegas welcome sign on Las Vegas Boulevard. Approximately 40 brightly colored 18-wheeled haulers will receive a police escort as they parade up the Strip before making their way to Interstate 15 via Sahara Boulevard to head north to LVMS. The event returns to Las Vegas after a one-year hiatus. The haulers will proceed to Speedway Boulevard and make their way through the LVMS tunnel under turns 1 and 2 to their garage stalls outside the Neon Garage. A much-anticipated convoy, the hauler parade is a great way for NASCAR fans to get excited about the action-packed weekend that awaits them March 10-12.(LVMS)(1-31-2017)

Drivers have fun clocking laps at Goodyear tire test at LVMS: Four Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers enjoyed themselves on the track during Day 2 of a Goodyear tire test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Wednesday. #20-Matt Kenseth, #22-Joey Logano, #24-Chase Elliott and #1-Jamie McMurray clocked lap after lap at the 1.5-mile speedway on the sunny and windy day as Goodyear techs and the quartet of race teams banked valuable data to use in 2017 and beyond. The drivers enjoyed their time behind the wheel during the two-day test session. "It's fun to come out and test, and I like coming to Vegas," said Kenseth, the Kobalt 400 champion in 2003, 2004 and 2013. "It seems like everything has slowed down (on the track), which makes for better racing. I've always liked the race track, have had some good runs here and had some wins here. It's a fun race track, a fun town and always a good environment, so I enjoy racing here."
Logano understands the importance of the tire tests and what they can do for the sport. "You're able to knock the rust off and try to come up with the best tire," said Logano, the 2014 Kobalt 400 pole winner. "This is Goodyear's test, and we're here for Goodyear to make the best tire, not only for us drivers, but for the fans to have the best race to watch. There's a lot of theories on what makes the best race, and we're able to go through those and figure out what makes the track wide and let us move around. There are constant conversations about how we can make it better, and this is a great opportunity for us to test a lot of that."
Elliott got a lot out of the two-day session. "It's felt really good to get back going again," said Elliott, the 2016 NASCAR Rookie of the Year. "The time that passes between the last race and the first time you get back in a car seems like a long time. So, it's good to get back in, get acclimated and try to sharpen up your skills. This is a good place to do it, and it's similar to a lot of tracks we'll go to this season, so it's helpful in a lot of ways. Goodyear has been really good with how they've approached the test, and of all the tests I've done with them, this is as aggressive as I've seen them with making changes and trying new things with the tire. I think that's encouraging, and I hope they can take the data and try to help us provide some better racing down the road."
LVMS' 2017 NASCAR Weekend begins on Friday, March 10, with Stratosphere Pole Day, continues with the Boyd Gaming 300 Xfinity Series race on Saturday, March 11, and concludes with the Kobalt 400 on Sunday, March 12. Tickets are available at lvms.com or by calling 1-800-644-4444.(LVMS)(1-12-2017)

Fans can helicopter to Las Vegas races: Maverick Helicopters offers 2017 NASCAR Weekend attendees transfers to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 11, 2017 and Sunday, March 12, 2017. Guests who book before Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 will save $50 per person, per day. On the expedited, 15-minute flight, passengers can sit back and relax in the company's Airbus ECO-Star helicopters while taking in stunning, bird's-eye-views of the Las Vegas Strip and NASCAR race grounds. To add to the experience, passengers are often surprised by NASCAR drivers, team members or sponsors on the aircraft. Transfers start at $499 per person, per day if purchased before Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. Regular prices start at $549 per person, per day beginning Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. Private and custom charters are also available throughout the weekend.(Las Vegas Informer)(1-1-2017)

NASCAR Champion's Week Fanfest event cancelled: When NASCAR gets around to announcing the schedule for its annual Champion's Week in Las Vegas in early December, the popular Fanfest on Fremont Street won't be on it. Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials have confirmed the unofficial kickoff to Champion's Week will not be held this year because of conflicts in scheduling and logistics. Other Champion's Week events, such as the "Victory Lap" on the Las Vegas Strip, and the "After the Lap" interactive (and usually bawdy) question-and-answer session with Chase drivers at the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms, are expected to go on as scheduled. This year's Champion Award's Banquet is set for Friday, Dec. 2.(Las Vegas Review-Journal)(9-28-2016)

Speedway Motorsports Put Fans, Families First with $10 NASCAR Cup Series Kids' Tickets: In conjunction with a NASCAR industry-wide effort to offer free NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and XFINITY Series tickets for children 12 and under next season, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. announced a company-wide Fans First initiative Monday to price select children's tickets at just $10 each to Cup Series events at its eight premier speedways beginning in 2017. "Coming to the races should be about fun, not finances," said Speedway Motorsports' President and Chief Executive Officer Marcus Smith. "Now a parent can get his or her child through the gates for an entire weekend of NASCAR events - including pole night, a Camping World Truck or XFINITY Series race and a Cup Series race - for just $10. This is one of the best, if not THE best, family values in all professional sports. NASCAR fans have passed down their passion for motorsports from generation to generation for decades, and through this new Fans First initiative, we'll continue that legacy by introducing young fans to the sport and engaging them for years to come." With an adult ticket purchase, fans can buy up to two $10 tickets for children ages 12 and under to that same event in select seating sections. This offer is available at all of the 13 Cup Series events shown below next season. Tickets for many of Speedway Motorsports' 2017 events are already on sale.(CMS/SMI)(8-30-2016)

DC Solar sponsoring Las Vegas Truck race: DC Solar, Las Vegas Motor Speedway's official off-grid mobile solar partner, has been named title sponsor of the track's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race for 2016. The DC Solar 350 will take place at LVMS on Saturday, Oct. 1, with John Wes Townley returning to defend his title from a year ago. It will be the 20th staging of the popular NASCAR series race at LVMS. LVMS and DC Solar partnered earlier this year to provide solar-powered EV charging stations and LED mobile solar light towers during this Spring's NASCAR Weekend. This newly expanded partnership will dramatically increase the number of LED towers in use throughout the LVMS property. DC Solar is a clean energy company that specializes in mobile solar products. Its flagship product, The Solar Eclipse, is the most widely distributed mobile solar generator in the U.S., and it has revolutionized the solar industry by taking the technology off-grid. DC Solar serves a variety of industries, including emergency preparedness, disaster relief, construction, entertainment, sports and agriculture, to name just a few.(LVMS)(7-26-2016)

Keselowski wins at Las Vegas: #2-Brad Keselowski won the Kobalt 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for his 1st win of the season, 2nd win in at Las Vegas and 18th career win. Keselowski led 24 of the 267 laps. He took the lead from #18-Busch with 6 laps to go and pulled away to win by .6 seconds.
#22-Logano finished 2nd, followed by #48-Johnson, #18-Busch, #3-Dillon, #21-Blaney, #4-Harvick, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., #41-Busch, and #5-Kahne.
Polesitter #41-Busch led the first 31 laps, but was penalized for speeding on pit road under the first caution and was never able to get back to the front of the field.
There were 20 lead changes among 10 drivers and 6 cautions for 36 yellow flag laps.
The race started a few minutes late after a few rain showers just before the start.
The average speed was 138.170mph.
Scheduled Race Re-Airs: Monday, March 7 at 8:30am/et on FS1
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and [NOTE: money won is no longer reported] more at:
Unofficial Race Results page (pdf)
Lap Summary Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)
Official Race & Points Report (pdf)

LVMS names infield care center in honor of Dr. Dale Carrison: Las Vegas Motor Speedway has announced it is naming its infield care center the Carrison Care Center in honor of longtime LVMS Medical Director Dr. Dale Carrison. The speedway's medical director since it began operating in 1996, Carrison is one of the most accomplished and decorated doctors in Nevada. He currently serves as the Las Vegas Regional Medical Director and Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada and is also the professor and chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine for the University of Nevada School of Medicine. A Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, Carrison has been instrumental in the evolution and development of the LVMS medical program. He and his staff have been dedicated to providing injured racers with the best medical care for years, and Carrison has helped LVMS's medical program and care center become elite. Carrison's extensive medical background includes being the medical director for the Clark County Fire Department, Mercy Air Aeromedical Transport in Clark County and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, as well as serving as a tactical physician for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's SWAT Team. An FBI agent before he became a doctor, Carrison also was appointed by the Governor of Nevada to serve as chairman of the Nevada Homeland Security Commission.(LVMS)(3-5-2016)

Country star Craig Morgan to perform national anthem at Kobalt 400: Award-winning country star Craig Morgan will highlight pre-race activities for the Kobalt 400 when he performs the national anthem before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 6. The native Tennessean and U.S. Army veteran is perhaps best known for his chart-topping hit "That's What I Love About Sundays," which was named as Billboard magazine's number one country hit of 2005. Morgan, a two-time Inspirational Country Music Award winner, is also known for his breakout songs "International Harvester" and "Redneck Yacht Club," among others. The 51-year-old, who is also a sheriff's deputy and former EMT, will be in Las Vegas performing at Race Jam on Fremont Street on Saturday, March 5. Morgan is the host of the popular television show "Craig Morgan's All Access Outdoors," which airs on the Outdoor Channel.
Joining Morgan for pre-race activities is the popular group The Atlantic City Boys, who will perform before opening ceremonies for the 19th annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at LVMS. The Atlantic City Boys perform hits of all kinds, from Beatles and Beach Boys songs, to top hits from the Bee Gees, Four Seasons and members of the "Rat Pack."
Kobalt 400 pre-race festivities will also include a flyover by the famed Thunderbirds, as well as driver introductions and the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers' meeting in the Neon Garage. The Neon Garage in the superspeedway's infield opens at 7 a.m. Pacific Time.
LVMS' 2016 NASCAR Weekend begins Thursday, March 3, with a free practice session that runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Stratosphere Pole Day follows on Friday, March 4, with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying beginning at 4:45 p.m. The Xfinity Series' Boyd Gaming 300 takes place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, and the weekend's crescendo comes on Sunday, March 6, in the form of the Kobalt 400 at 12:30 p.m.
For tickets, call 1-800-644-4444 or log on to LVMS.com.(LVMS)(3-1-2016)

LVMS confident about vehicle management plan for 2016 NASCAR Weekend: Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials are approaching this year's NASCAR Weekend with extreme confidence about the track's vehicle flow plan for its 20th year of racing. By working with local and county representatives for nearly two decades, LVMS has been able to design a fluid system for moving more than 100,000 avid NASCAR fans in and out of the 1.5-mile superspeedway. The track's traffic plan has continued to evolve and improve to create a more efficient process, and this year is no different. The addition of the RaceDay Express shuttle bus service - which debuted at the 2015 NHRA Toyota Nationals and will transport thousands of fans to and from the speedway from the Strip and downtown Las Vegas - is the newest enhancement to LVMS' transportation options. LVMS first began providing shuttles during the 2013 race season, and RaceDay Express takes it to the next level by providing a complete VIP experience. Speedway officials urge fans to head to the track early and to utilize options like the Lucky 7 Preferred Lot, which will have three dedicated gates for the first hour following the races on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, all fans parked in the Blue Lot can exit through the remaining gates until Lot 7 is cleared, and once Lot 7 is empty, all gates will be opened to those parked in the Blue Lot. Traffic updates will be provided on Sunday, March 6, via the LVMS Twitter feed (@lvmotorspeedway) and on the radio at KBAD AM-920.(LVMS)(2-24-2016)

Las Vegas teams with DC Solar to provide solar-powered charging stations: Thanks to Las Vegas Motor Speedway and DC Solar, a dozen lucky fans will have the chance to get a charge out of the 2016 NASCAR Weekend. LVMS and DC Solar, LVMS' official off-grid mobile solar partner, are teaming to provide six solar-powered charging stations for electric vehicles at this year's event, which runs March 4-6 at the superspeedway. Twelve EV owners will be chosen at random to receive free parking passes for each day of the race weekend. The charging stations will be set up at a premium location close to the LVMS Fan Engagement Area and ticketing gates. The multi-year agreement between LVMS and DC Solar will boost green and sustainability initiatives for both companies. In addition, DC Solar is providing 10 LED mobile solar light towers that will be used throughout the LVMS property on NASCAR Weekend. The light towers will run after sunset using solar energy stored during the day, providing fans with ample lighting in strategic areas in a safe and clean way. DC Solar is a clean energy company that specializes in mobile solar generators designed for off-grid applications that range from outdoor lighting to electric vehicle (EV) charging. DC Solar serves a variety of industries, including emergency preparedness, disaster relief, construction, entertainment, sports and agriculture, to name just a few.(LVMS)(2-25-2016)

Las Vegas to provide gluten-free food items: NASCAR fans flocking to Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 4-6 for the 2016 NASCAR Weekend are in for a treat. The superspeedway, through its partnership with Levy Restaurants, is providing a number of unique food items and menus designed for those looking for healthier options or avoiding gluten to thrill the most sophisticated of palates. During the three-day motorsports extravaganza, fans looking to avoid gluten will find paninis, tacos, beef brisket and specialty items like the Smokey Bacon Bloody Mary and Southwestern Street Corn. Items without gluten have been available at LVMS for years and will be provided at nearly a dozen locations at the 1.5-mile superspeedway, including concourse concession stands, the Neon Garage, LVMS suites and concourse-level seating. Dozens of items made without gluten - from rice bowls, cobb salads and blackened Mahi tacos, to hot dogs, vegetable baskets and chicken fajitas - are part of the diverse menu Levy Restaurants has put together for LVMS visitors this year. In addition, Levy and Melissa's Produce will continue to serve fresh and healthy selections in the Neon Garage, including fruit, blended fruit smoothies, salads and more. The partnership between Levy and Melissa's Produce began in 2012 and gives fans fresh options to enjoy during their time at LVMS.(LVMS)(2-9-2016)

Las Vegas debuts "The Chairman's Experience" VIP package: In a town that prides itself on the ultimate VIP experience, Las Vegas Motor Speedway is rolling out a one-day, white-glove, top-shelf $3,500 ticket for its NASCAR race in early March. Eat lamb and crab legs. Belly up to an open bar. Schmooze with NASCAR drivers and celebrate with the racer's crew in the winner's circle. Enjoy massages. All for a mere $3,499 at the Kobalt 400 on March 6 at the speedway on the north end of town. Speedway officials have dubbed it, The Chairman's Experience, and will limit the high-roller ticket to only 60 buyers, who will have the run of the 4,600-square-foot Blackjack Club on the third level overlooking the track. In the past, the speedway would rent out the Blackjack Club to a single company for $300,000 for the entire NASCAR weekend. Perhaps 300 guests or so would eat, drink and socialize in the club setting. But The Chairman's Experience allows smaller groups of any size - let's say, four or six - to soak up the elite VIP experience. A casino host on the Strip can even bring a group, with a casino host getting in for free as long as each of the guests pony up $3,499 for the ticket.(Las Vegas Review Journal)(1-16-2016)

Teams to test at Vegas UPDATE: The official start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series may be more than one month away, however four teams will be back on the track next week to take part in a two-day Goodyear tire test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. #48-Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports), #41-Kurt Busch (Stewart-Haas Racing), #2-Brad Keselowski (Team Penske) and #20-Matt Kenseth (Joe Gibbs Racing) are currently scheduled to participate in the test, set for Jan. 12-13 at the 1.5-mile track. All four drivers are former series champions. It will be the first on-track activity for teams since an end-of-year test held last month at Homestead-Miami Speedway. NASCAR re-tooled its testing platform before the start of the 2015 season, doing away with private team testing and debuting the NASCAR Series Master Unified Testing Schedule. The schedule included a mix of two-day Goodyear tire tests often followed by a single-day open team test. When necessary, NASCAR officials also scheduled additional practice time as teams worked through the '15 rules package. The changes to the testing policy were made in part to help teams control costs.
A new base rules package, similar to that used at Kentucky Speedway and Darlington Raceway in 2015, will be in place this season for events except those held at Daytona and Talladega Superspeedway. The base package includes a 3.5-inch spoiler (decreased from 6 inches), a .25-inch leading edge (previously 2 inches) on the front splitter and a 33-inch wide splitter extension panel (radiator pan) replacing the current 38-inch pan. Rear gear ratios will be adjusted to maintain 9,000 rpm maximum engine speed and a 1:38 third gear ratio will be in place for tracks under 1.25 miles. The digital dash display will also be mandatory in the series this season.
Because next week's test is a Goodyear tire test only, the grandstands will not be open to the public.(NASCAR.com)(1-9-2016)
UPDATE: For a quartet of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers, the best part of this week's Goodyear tire test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was simply being back behind the wheel. Sprint Cup Series drivers Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth were in good spirits while speaking to a group of media during a break in testing tires at the 1.5-mile superspeedway on Wednesday. "I was in full offseason mode, and then after that first run yesterday, there's no other way to get that smile," Johnson said. "It's fun to get on the track, knock the rust off and get ready for the season. It's a nice way to remember how cool my job is and have some fun." Busch was happy to be back in his hometown and enjoys testing at LVMS. "Most importantly, it's the weather," the 2004 Sprint Cup Series champion said of the benefits of testing in Las Vegas. "It's a track we race only once a year, so the notes don't get as defined, and we always love to go to tracks we have minimal data from." All of the Sprint Cup Series teams will have a full day of open testing on Thursday, March 3, to kick off LVMS' 2016 NASCAR Weekend. The big racing weekend continues on Friday, March 4, with Stratosphere Pole Day, the Boyd Gaming 300 Xfinity Series race on Saturday, March 5, and the Kobalt 400 on Sunday, March 6.(LVMS)(1-14-2016)

Speedway Children's Charities Distributes Nearly $2.9 Million Nationwide: Speedway Children's Charities officials have announced that the nonprofit will distribute nearly $2.9 million in grants to more than 390 different charitable organizations across the country in 2015, bringing the total funds distributed since 1982 to more than $46 million.
"My parents started Speedway Children's Charities from modest beginnings with the goal of helping children in physical, financial, emotional and medical need," said Marcus Smith, vice chairman of Speedway Children's Charities. "From that first chapter at Charlotte Motor Speedway to now eight chapters at Speedway Motorsports' facilities nationwide, we've far surpassed their early expectations. But as long as there is a need, Speedway Children's Charities will continue working to improve the lives of children by supporting local nonprofits that help children in hundreds of local communities."
Funds distributed by Speedway Children's Charities chapters at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway totaled $2,886,902 in 2015. Speedway Children's Charities raises grant money through various fundraising activities, including clay shoots, track events, auctions, holiday light displays and more.
"It was a banner year for Speedway Children's Charities, and we can't thank the race fans, sponsors, volunteers, team owners, drivers and staff enough for all of their efforts to help children in need," said Maj. Gen. Chuck Swannack, executive director of Speedway Children's Charities. "Every single dollar or volunteer hour makes a difference, and these fundraising results will have a true impact to help children in need of a brighter future." For more information on SCC or to see how to volunteer or make a donation, visit www.speedwaycharities.org.(CMS)(12-16-2015)

LVMS to host free Fanfest as NASCAR Champion's Week kicks off in Las Vegas on Wednesday: NASCAR fans will have several opportunities to see their favorite Sprint Cup Series drivers, including 2015 Sprint Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch, when NASCAR Champion's Week in Las Vegas kicks off Wednesday with the popular Fanfest, hosted by Las Vegas Motor Speedway, at the Fremont Street Experience. Wednesday's free Fanfest will feature Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, including Busch, a Las Vegas native, and his older brother, Kurt, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Beginning at 2:00pm Pacific Time, the drivers will walk a red carpet through the crowd en route to the Third Street Stage. The highlight of Fanfest will be a Jeopardy!-style game show involving Chase drivers. They will be joined onstage by fans chosen through local media outlets and LVMS social media, and the show will be hosted by FOX Sports reporter and Las Vegas resident Jamie Little and Miss Sprint Cup. In addition to the Fanfest, the Chase drivers also will participate in the traditional NASCAR Victory Lap on Las Vegas Boulevard beginning at 3:30pm on Thursday. The drivers also will take part in NASCAR's "After The Lap" at 5:00pm on Thursday at The Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms Casino Resort. The week will culminate with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Friday night at Wynn Las Vegas.(LVMS)(12-1-2015)

Las Vegas Speedway had plans for SAFER barrier before Truck crash: A Las Vegas Motor Speedway official said plans were already in place to put an energy-absorbing barrier on the outside wall that Austin Theriault smashed into head-on during the Camping World Truck Series race Saturday night. Theriault suffered a compression fracture in his lower back from the accident into an unprotected concrete barrier on the frontstretch. LVMS spokesman Jeff Motley said Tuesday that a plan was already in place to add a SAFER barrier to that section before the Sprint Cup Series race there March 6. Since Kyle Busch wrecked into a concrete barrier at Daytona International Speedway in February and suffered a broken right leg and broken left foot, NASCAR has worked with the tracks to review whether to add additional energy-absorbing barriers to areas other than the turns, which NASCAR mandated in 2005. NASCAR, which can dictate to the tracks what safety improvements they must make for NASCAR to race there, declined to comment or acknowledge publicly its plans or the results of its review earlier this year, deferring to the tracks.(ESPN)(10-7-2015)

Las Vegas Motor Speedway creating new VIP areas: Race fans attending or watching Saturday's Rhino Linings 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race will see the signs of progress above Turns 3 and 4 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. LVMS is in the process of implementing several fan enhancements for the March 4-6 2016 NASCAR Weekend, and the beginning of those improvements will be visible in the form of a construction site during Saturday's event. The enhancements will begin with more interactive experiences in the Fan Engagement Area. Some of these improvements will require a large footprint that will require the use of more space in the area previously occupied by souvenir trailers. Also, the new Fanatics Trackside Superstore will debut at LVMS in 2016 with driver and series merchandise. In order to accommodate the expanded Fan Engagement Area, the speedway is relocating its VIP Hospitality to an area high above Turn 4 with a panoramic view of the speedway, as well as much of the Las Vegas Valley. This area will be called the Vegas Village, and will be used by corporate hospitality guests. The speedway also has created the Vegas Veranda, which will be located adjacent to the Vegas Village and will provide 25 luxury RV spaces that will include concierge services, free wifi and many other amenities in addition to the same panoramic view of the valley. The construction also will result in the removal of Section 4 from the superspeedway, which will give every permanent seat at the 1.5-mile superspeedway a view of pit lane and the start-finish line.(LVMS)(10-1-2015)

Pick the president and get 50 percent off 2017 tickets at Las Vegas: Every election season, political prognosticators pour over a plethora of polls to pick the president. Now it's the fans' turn. And they've got until Nov. 8 this year to take advantage of their perfect predictions. Fans who participate in Las Vegas Motor Speedway's "Presidential Premonition Promotion" stand to save 50 percent off the price of 2017 NASCAR Weekend tickets at LVMS. Here's how it works: Any race fan who purchases 2016 NASCAR Weekend tickets by Nov. 8 simply lets the speedway know which candidate he or she believes will win the United States presidency in November, 2016. Any fan who correctly picks the winner will be eligible to purchase 2017 Weekend Packages at 50 percent of the 2017 list price. There is a limit of four tickets per winning account. This promotion applies to anyone who (a) already has purchased 2016 NASCAR Weekend Packages, or (b) anyone who purchases Weekend Packages between now and Nov. 8, 2015 - one year prior to the presidential election. In all cases, fans need simply to have purchased their tickets and to email LVMS with their prediction of the name of the next president. The special email address for the promotion is presidentialpromotion@lvms.com. Fans must include their LVMS ticket-account number when sending the email and can enter only once.(LVMS)(9-20-2015)

LVMS to sell single-day tickets for 2016 NASCAR Weekend: Las Vegas Motor Speedway is offering single-day tickets to the three days of NASCAR events culminating in the Kobalt 400 race in 2016. Tickets each day of the NASCAR Weekend go on sale Monday, Sept. 14. The scheduled includes Stratosphere Pole Day on March 4, Boyd Gaming 300 on March 5, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup race, Kobalt 400, on March 6, 2016. Tickets for RV parking, the Neon Garage, Lucky 7 preferred parking, driver introductions and bus passes are available at lvms.com or by calling 1-800-644-4444. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster. LVMS noted the track saw a strong ticket-renewal season for all of the events of Las Vegas' NASCAR Weekend.(KVVU)(9-9-2015)

LVMS Express to provide bus service from Strip, downtown to Las Vegas Motor Speedway: All aboard the LVMS Express. Las Vegas Motor Speedway, in conjunction with JusTours, has launched the LVMS Express, which will provide bus service to the speedway for race fans staying in both the Strip corridor and downtown during NASCAR and NHRA event weekends. Race fans can begin reserving their seats on the LVMS Express on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Tickets for the Oct. 30-Nov. 1 NHRA Toyota Nationals will be $99 for the three-day weekend or $60 for a one-day pass. NASCAR passes also will be $99 for the three-day weekend and $75 for a one-day pass. All tickets will be sold through the LVMS ticket office and the speedway's website at lvms.com. For NASCAR Weekend, the LVMS Express also will offer an upgraded VIP experience that will include priority boarding and expedited departures from both the Strip and downtown pickup locations as well as the speedway. The LVMS Express will have at least five pickup and drop-off stops along the Strip and downtown during the NASCAR Weekend. Most of the buses will be equipped with restrooms, and all buses will have dedicated routes to and from the speedway. NASCAR fans also will find a new bus depot located much closer to the seating areas when they arrive at the speedway on the LVMS Express.(LVMS)(9-6-2015)

NASCAR, Las Vegas renew agreement to Host NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards: NASCAR announced that the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards - and all of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week - will return to Las Vegas in 2015 as part of a renewed partnership with the destination. The agreement ensures that Las Vegas will continue hosting the week-long celebration, offering fans and industry members a chance to see the sport's stars and congratulate the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards will headline NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week at Wynn Las Vegas on December 4, 2015. The 16th annual DAYTONA Rising / NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum, hosted by SportsBusiness Journal, will kick off NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week festivities at The Mirage on December 1-2.
"We've had a great experience in Las Vegas and are very pleased to extend our partnership with the city," said NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Steve Phelps. "Las Vegas has consistently set the stage for a vibrant, exciting NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week, when the sport looks back on the season and toasts its newest Champion."
NASCAR began hosting its premier series awards show in Las Vegas in 2009 following a 28-year run in New York City. Since then, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards and Champion's Week has hosted events at over 30 venues along the famous Las Vegas Strip, drawing the sport's top drivers and an assortment of high-profile musical and celebrity guests.
"We are thrilled that NASCAR and Las Vegas will continue their strong and successful partnership as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week return for the seventh year," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. "Each year this event gets bigger and better, and Las Vegas provides the ultimate backdrop to this unrivaled experience in the most exciting city in the world."
For the first time, the DAYTONA Rising / NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum will expand to a third day and make its debut at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, providing sports industry executives an inside look at the newly completed DAYTONA Rising project. The DAYTONA Rising / NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum has established itself as the premier event where thought leaders both in and out of the racing community gather to discuss, debate and share insights that impact the future of racing. Registration is required at MotorsportsMarketingForum.com, and more details on the agenda will be shared in the weeks and months ahead.
"We're very happy to expand our 2015 NASCAR Motorsports Marketing program to include a Daytona component on February 17, given how much excitement there is surrounding the DAYTONA Rising project," said Richard Weiss, Publisher of SportsBusiness Journal. "It's a win-win combination for attendees who will join in our December Motorsports Marketing Forum discussions in Las Vegas who will now also be able to get an insider's perspective on the Daytona International Speedway project."
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards will air on NBCSN beginning at 9:00pm/et. MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry the awards show live at 8:00pm/et.(NASCAR)(8-3-2015)

Toyota named official vehicle of Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Toyota has joined forces with Las Vegas Motor Speedway to become the speedway's new official vehicle. The multi-year deal was announced Friday by officials from the speedway and Toyota. "Toyota has had incredible success in all forms of motorsports, and we're elated to welcome it as the new official vehicle of Nevada's largest sports facility," said LVMS president Chris Powell. "We pride ourselves for being the most diverse racing facility in the world, and Toyota's success in NASCAR, NHRA, open-wheel and off-road racing makes this a perfect partnership."
Toyota and Toyota Racing Development, U.S.A. (TRD) entered NASCAR racing in 2004 when they began fielding trucks in the Camping World Truck Series. Three years later, Toyota moved into the Sprint Cup Series and has won 65 races in that span, including Matt Kenseth's win in the 2013 Kobalt 400 at LVMS marking the 50th NSCS victory for the Camry. TRD was founded in 1979 in Southern California and made its racing debut in American motorsports in 1983 and went on to dominate off-road racing over 20 years and enter open-wheel racing with CART. In 2002, Toyota entered the NHRA and a year later joined IndyCar and took Gil de Ferran to victory in the Indianapolis 500.
"This was a great opportunity to partner Las Vegas Motor Speedway where we'll see the bold, new Toyota Camry lead the field to the green flag this weekend," said Paul Doleshal, motorsports marketing manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. "We're looking forward to showcasing the new production Camry and our redesigned Camry race car as the series begins the west coast swing." As part of the partnership, Toyota Camry's will pace the field to start this year's Boyd Gaming 300 and Kobalt 400 on March 7 and 8 respectively.(Toyota)(3-8-2015)

Lowe's, Stratosphere renew entitlements at LVMS: Extending relationships that have proven to be some of the strongest in all of NASCAR, Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials announced today that Lowe's Companies Inc. and Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower have agreed to multi-year deals to remain the title sponsors of the Kobalt 400 NASCAR Sprint Sup Series race and Stratosphere Pole Day. "We can't say enough about the relationships we have with Lowe's and Stratosphere," said LVMS president Chris Powell. "Lowe's continues to build and grow within the sport, and Stratosphere continues to be one of the must-see properties for Las Vegas visitors and locals. These are the type of businesses we are proud to partner with here at Las Vegas Motor Speedway."
"Kobalt has been the title sponsor of the Sprint Cup Series race here in Las Vegas for the past five years, and we are proud to continue our longtime support of NASCAR," said Lawrence Lobpries, vice president of consumer marketing at Lowe's. "We are looking forward to a great race this weekend and hope to see the Kobalt Chevrolet in Victory Lane with Team 48 on Sunday."
"We're thrilled about renewing our partnership with LVMS," said Stratosphere General Manager Paul Hobson. "Our customers are huge NASCAR fans and we're proud to be official Pole Day sponsors."(LVMS)(3-7-2015)

New app to bring race fans closer to the action at LVMS: Race fans attending this weekend's NASCAR events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be able to stay up to date on every aspect of the weekend with the speedway's new app for iPhone and Android users. Las Vegas Motor Speedway has partnered with Sporting Innovations, the industry leader in sports technology to bring a platform that will provide users exclusive content as well as personalized offers and experiences. The app will be updated real-time with schedules, driver appearances, ticket upgrade information, maps, directions, traffic tips, as well as live audio. More info at LVMS.com.(LVMS)(3-6-2015)

LVMS making safety modifications ahead of races: In response to Sunday's latest incident involving one of NASCAR's top drivers hitting a wall unprotected by a SAFER barrier, Las Vegas Motor Speedway is making some adjustments ahead of this weekend's Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series races at the 1.5-mile track. "NASCAR on Monday conducted a thorough inspection of the racing conditions here at Las Vegas Motor Speedway," LVMS track president Chris Powell said in a statement released late Tuesday. "NASCAR has requested that we make several minor modifications adjacent to both the 1.5-mile oval and the openings on pit road. At the conclusion of this weekend's Kobalt 400 and Boyd Gaming 300, we will reconvene with NASCAR regarding any long-term alterations."(FoxSports)(3-5-2015)

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