Richard Petty named grand marshal for CarsDirect.com 400

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Thursday, March 2, 2000 | 9:37 a.m.

Elvis Presley may be the most-popular "King" in Las Vegas, but on Sunday "The King of Stock Car Racing" will serve as grand marshal for the CarsDirect.com 400.

Before the start of the third annual event, seven-timeWinston Cup champ Richard Petty will give the drivers the command to start their engines by saying the four most famous words in motorsports, "Gentlemen, 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.

Bill Boyd, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Boyd Gaming, will serve as the grand marshal for Saturday's Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Busch Series race.