VisitLasVegas
Blog

     NASCAR Weekend is here, and the stars are out to celebrate. Driver Denny Hamlin makes a pit stop at 1OAK; Kreayshawn hosts at TAO; you can blow out the birthday candles with Chelsea and That '70s Show star Laura Prepon at Pure; enjoy a bash with former Desperate Housewives star Jesse Metcalfe at Gallery, and more!

     A look at who's where and when this weekend in Vegas:

Friday, March 9

• Kreayshawn at TAO (Venetian)
• Laura Prepon of Chelsea at Pure (Caesars)
• Denny Hamlin and Butter NC host Race Weekend Kickoff at 1OAK (Mirage)
• Laidback Luke at Haze (ARIA)
• Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas at Rain (Palms)
• Dash Berlin & EDX at Marquee (Cosmopolitan)
• Gza with Prodigal Sun at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens (Paris Las Vegas)
• Morgan Page at XS (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)
• DJ Ruckus at Vanity (Hard Rock Hotel)

Saturday, March 10

• Jesse Metcalfe at Gallery (Planet Hollywood)
• Alie Layus at Ghostbar Day Club (Palms)
• Junior Sanchez and Choo Choo at Butterfly (Paris Las Vegas)
• Ian Carey at Rain (Palms)
• DJ Homicide at Haze (ARIA)
• Alesso at XS (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)
• DJ Pauly D at Vanity (Hard Rock Hotel)

Sunday, March 11

• Richard Beynon at Vanity (Hard Rock Hotel)

     This kind of raw energy only comes to town once a year, so shift into high gear and get revved up for the fast-paced excitement of 2012 NASCAR Weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway from March 9 - 11.

      Life in the fast lane, Vegas-style, includes the Stratosphere Pole Day, the Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

     Special weekend packages are available where you'll enjoy the finest view of the competition as it unfolds on the 20-degree banking. The Dale Earnhardt Terrace and Richard Petty Terrace feature wide, flip-down seats with cup holders and a private concourse with restrooms, concessions and elevator access.

     The main grandstand offers seating along the front stretch with terrific views of all the pit road and racing action. Seats in sections 1, 2 and 3 are benches with back support, and they provide easy access to concessions and restrooms.

     No trip to the speedway would be complete without checking out the Neon Garage. You'll have unprecedented access to NASCAR's stars and teams, enjoy specialty concessions and be part of the winner's circle celebration.  Neon Garage access also allows you in the pit area on Friday, Saturday and during prerace on Sunday.

      In Vegas, you can do more than just watch the action - you can be a part of it. At the speedway complex, you can drive or ride along in a 600-horsepower NASCAR-style stock car at the Richard Petty Driving Experience. You and your heart will be racing like never before.

     Make Las Vegas the ultimate pit stop when NASCAR comes to town March 9 - 11!

     The best stock-car drivers on the planet converge on Las Vegas March 9 - 11 for NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway!

     NASCAR Weekend 2012 features the Stratosphere Pole Day, the Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Enjoy the finest view of the competition as it unfolds on the 20-degree banks with a special weekend ticket package. The basic package features a seating area located along and high above the front stretch, and offers a terrific view of the racing and pit action. The Dale Earnhardt Terrace and Richard Petty Terrace provide a private concourse with restrooms, concessions and elevator access. Upgrade to a clubhouse package and enjoy all-you-can-eat food and drink coupons for beer or wine while you watch the race with an unobstructed view!

     Then, it's time to get out your brackets and get ready for the excitement of college basketball's annual championship tournament. The tournament always has plenty of surprises, but here's one pick you can feel good about - watch all of the games in the comfort and luxury of a Las Vegas sports book.

     It's an adrenaline rush for every sports fan, so make your plans to catch the high-intensity excitement of NASCAR and college hoops.

     The excitement of IndyCar racing is back in Las Vegas, and the stakes have never been higher. Catch the season finale of the IndyCar series during IZOD IndyCar Weekend Oct. 14 - 16 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway!

     The action will be fast and furious, beginning with the Smith's 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, continuing with the first Firestone Indy Lights Series race and concluding with the IZOD IndyCar series finale - all at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

     Make your plans now for the Oct. 14 practice and qualifying sessions, as well as the exciting Truck Series race on Oct. 15 and the IndyCar race on Oct. 16. Certain ticket packages include access to the Neon Garage, a must-see for racing fans.

     The IZOD IndyCar Series World Championship will feature the sport's top racers vying to become IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Lights champions, so start your engine and get ready for the green flag to drop in Vegas!

     After the race, celebrate the victory with an evening in downtown Vegas. Check out the brand new Plaza Hotel - a vintage hotel on Fremont Street that has been remodeled from top to bottom.  Score a big win a room overlooking the promenade and the millions of lights of VivaVision. 

The top racers from NASCAR made their annual end-of-season pit stop in Las Vegas for NASCAR Champions Week, which includes the NASCAR Awards show, a parade, a victory lap on the Strip and numerous appearances throughout town.

Check out five-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson doing a classic burnout last week, one of eight videos you'll find online on our Facebook page, including Johnson receiving a key to the city from Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, the victory lap on the Strip and much more:  

We've also got lots of red carpet photos online from the NASCAR Awards show, which capped an amazing weekend of events.

And it's never too early to get revved up and make plans to watch the stars in action during 2011 NASCAR Weekend, March 4-6 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.