NASCAR Weekend 2010

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

The Air Force Thunderbirds fly over before the start of the NASCAR Shelby American GT 350 Sunday, February 28, 2010 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson won for his fourth career victory in Las Vegas.

NASCAR drivers talk pros, cons of a second race in Las Vegas

Speedway could get another race as early as 2011, but it remains unlikely

Mar 1, 2010 (2 a.m.)

By Case Keefer

As they are every year during NASCAR weekend, discussions about Las Vegas hosting a second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race were a hot topic at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Speedway officials have always kept their opinions consistent on the matter: They’d love to have a second race, but it’s just not that simple.

Jimmie Johnson displays his dominance again in Las Vegas

February 28, 2010

By Case Keefer

Jimmie Johnson has gotten used to this whole Sunday race routine. Step A: Take the lead from one of the other NASCAR Sprint Cup series drivers and never relinquish it. Step B: Celebrate the win in victory lane. Step C: Talk afterwards about never being satisfied and wanting more wins.
Lady Luck doesn’t smile on Busch brothers

February 28, 2010

By Anthony Fenech

On paper, all signs pointed to a successful, Sunday afternoon homecoming for the Busch brothers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Shelby American.
Kevin Harvick overcomes pit mistakes to win Sam’s Town 300

February 27, 2010

By Anthony Fenech

Kevin Harvick was angry. It was early in Saturday afternoon’s Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Harvick’s Rheem Chevrolet crew had just blown a pit stop.
Crash ends Danica Patrick’s run at Sam’s Town 300

February 27, 2010

By Case Keefer

Danica Patrick experienced about as wide a range of emotions as she possibly could Saturday in the Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Through 67 laps, Patrick was in third place and racing significantly better than she did in her first two NASCAR events.
Danica Patrick a star attraction as NASCAR hits Las Vegas

February 26, 2010

By Brett Okamoto

Following a Friday practice run for this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Series Shelby American at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart told media members he was done talking about rookie Nationwide Series driver Danica Patrick.
NASCAR Notebook: Is Johnson’s dominance bad for racing?

February 26, 2010

By Case Keefer

Controversy still swirled around Jimmie Johnson’s victory last week in Fontana, Calif., during drivers’ first media appearances at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday. Aided by a well-timed caution with 26 laps to go while he made a pit stop, Johnson won the Auto Club 500 Sprint Cup race for his 48th career victory.
Kurt Busch begins race weekend with blistering qualifying lap

February 26, 2010

By Case Keefer

The tears came early for Kurt Busch. Busch, the Las Vegas native who graduated from Durango High, finished first in qualifying for Sunday’s Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup race Friday afternoon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a track-record 28.614-second lap. “I’m stoked,” Busch said. “To do it here in my hometown of Las Vegas, it’s fun for me and all of the fans who were here today.”
NASCAR fans know how to tailgate in style

February 27, 2010

By Anthony Fenech

It’s a cool and windy Friday afternoon at the epicenter of the tailgating at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Six flags fly high in the air, blowing right to left with the smell of charcoal and burgers in the air and the beer flowing freely.
NASCAR nirvana for Las Vegas economy

February 26, 2010

By Case Keefer

Salt Lake City mason Clair Smith was laid off from his job a month ago, but that didn’t keep him from making his eighth visit to Las Vegas for NASCAR weekend. “I’m spending a lot less because I am making a lot less, but I saved for it all year. This is my one trip,” Smith says outside his RV in the infield of Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thursday afternoon.
Busch brothers mingle with hometown NASCAR fans

February 26, 2010

By Anthony Fenech

The Busch brothers are everywhere. As NASCAR unofficially kicked off race weekend in Las Vegas on Thursday, hometown heroes Kurt and Kyle Busch were in on the act as well.
Lights of Las Vegas Strip provide unique setting for hauler parade

February 26, 2010

By Ray Brewer

The bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip served as a backdrop Thursday evening for NASCAR’s Hauler Parade to help kick off a weekend of races at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
NASCAR betting heats up for Las Vegas race week

February 26, 2010

By Case Keefer

The Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup race Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway serves as the sport’s main event in one area - betting.
Speedway president discusses NASCAR, race weekend

February 24, 2010

By Case Keefer

There’s a moment on Sunday of NASCAR weekend that Chris Powell looks forward to every year. Although it’s the busiest day of Powell’s year, he always takes a few moments to pause and gaze out in awe of the 140,000 fans filling Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the event.
Neon Garage epicenter of NASCAR entertainment

February 25, 2010

By Anthony Fenech

For the fourth consecutive year, the Neon Garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will serve as the hub of the weekend’s activities.
NASCAR Hauler Parade to kick off race weekend

February 25, 2010

By Anthony Fenech

This year’s NASCAR Hauler Parade down Las Vegas Boulevard on Thursday evening will be bigger than ever. In addition to the Sprint Cup Series teams that have participated for the past three years, tonight’s parade will include Nationwide Series teams. The haulers are the large trucks that carry the race cars and gear to the track.
Speedway’s Bullring puts Las Vegan’s racing aspirations on fast track

February 25, 2010

By Anthony Fenech

He began as a pony in the Bullring, a preteen kid who happened to get a race car for his 12th birthday. Justin Johnson hadn’t raced before. Not bikes, not go-carts and certainly not anything with four rubber tires and a motor.
Hayley Lager gets a jumpstart on racing

February 24, 2010

By Anthony Fenech

Hayley Lager is 14 years old. She's a freshman in high school, a self-proclaimed "girly girl" who likes to go to the mall with her friends. She giggles before she laughs, has highlights in her hair and likes texting. By all accounts, she's a typical teenage girl. She also drives race cars. And fast.
Widening of I-15 will improve drive to the speedway

February 22, 2010

By Kyle B. Hansen

Traveling to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this week for events associated with the NASCAR weekend will be easier than years past. The drive will be improved - and possibly less time-consuming - because of the recent completion of a project to widen Interstate 15. The speedway, in northern edge of the Las Vegas Valley about 12 miles north of downtown Las Vegas, is best accessible by Interstate 15, taking exit No. 54 onto Speedway Boulevard.
Kyle Busch’s emotional win highlights NASCAR’s history in Las Vegas

February 22, 2010

By Ray Brewer

Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR's four-time defending Cup champion and one of racing's biggest stars, is a three-time winner at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Savvy veteran Jeff Burton has a record five victories in Las Vegas, taking the checkered flag in three Nationwide Series races and two Cup events