NASCAR Weekend 2012 Kicks off in Las Vegas
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This weekend NASCAR racers will be revving their engines at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the 13th annual NASCAR weekend in Las Vegas. March 9th-12th the Motor Speedway with hold the Stratosphere Pole Day, the Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, and the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
NASCAR Hauler Parade
The weekend festivities will kick off on Wednesday the 7th with the IMCA Modified and West Coast Late Model racing on a half-mile long dirt track, followed by the NASCAR Hauler Parade on Thursday the 8th. 50 of the giant 18 wheelers that carry the NASCAR vehicles will parade down the Las Vegas Strip, starting at the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas Sign” and concluding at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
During the parade the South Pointe Hotel and Casino will have series cars and equipment on display for NASCAR enthusiasts to check out and get themselves revved up for the starting of the races. Thursday night the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series will take place on the dirt track, and then on Friday, the real fun will begin.
Stratosphere Pole Day Starts the Weekend Off
On Friday the Speedway will start the weekend with the Stratosphere Pole Day. The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino became active with the NASCAR scene years ago, and have since hosted the annual Speedway Children’s Charities poker tournament, driver signing events and press meetings. The Stratosphere also offers discounted hotel rooms for fans in town for the NASCAR races.
Jimmie Johnson Favored to Win Kobalt Tools 400
Five time Sprint Cup Series winner Jimmie Johnson is favored to win the Kobalt Tools 400 on Sunday, with his odds listed as 9/2. Returning winner Carl Edwards is listed as 8/1. Las Vegas’ own Kyle Busch is expected to do well, with odds listed at 6/1.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Tours
The Motor Speedway opened its doors in 1996, and since then has boasted an impressive series of races. For the diehard racing fan the Speedway holds daily tours for pretty cheap ($8 a person, $6 for Nevada residents,) that include viewing of the nine tracks, access to the track infields, and a tour of one of their luxury suites. Tours will not be conducted during the races this weekend, so if you’re interested be sure to arrive earlier in the week!
If you’re a fan of NASCAR, you can’t miss the events this weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Even if the tickets carry to high of a price tag for you (tickets can run from $99-$215 just in sections 1,2, and 3) you can still enjoy the weekend excitement, either by going down and watching the Hauler Parade and checking out the cars on display, or turning on the tube and catching the races in the comfort of your own home.
