NASCAR Champions Week in Las Vegas gets green flag Tuesday
NASCAR fans, rejoice.
Next week, you will be knee-deep in all things NASCAR when the Sprint Cup Series Champion s Week kicks off Tuesday .
That's the week during which NASCAR hands out its annual awards to drivers and teams. This marks the third year that Las Vegas is hosting the end-of-season event and NASCAR officials have made fans a priority.
Drivers will make appearances while stock cars and NASCAR memorabilia will be on display around town. Fans will get to participate in activities too.
"It's all for the fans," says Manny Poveda, NASCAR's West Coast marketing manager.
New York used to host Champions Week, Poveda says, but Las Vegas was chosen in recent years because it is a more central spot that fans can easily access.
Turnout was low in the first two years, but Poveda expects it to double this year, as NASCAR has made a concerted effort to inform fans about the events.
The key events that fans have access to are the Victory lap parade and "After the Lap," both of which take place Dec. 1. The victory lap parade starts at 3 p.m. The 12 Chase drivers, including Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards and Las Vegas natives Kyle and Kurt Busch, will drive their cars around the Strip. The drivers will do two burnouts, giving fans the chance to see them burn rubber up close. A pit stop also is scheduled. Each car will have two tires changed, Poveda says.
"Fans love this stuff," he notes.
The cars will end the victory lap parade at the Hard Rock Hotel, where the 12 drivers will gather in The Joint. The winner of the Chase will actually drive his car into The Joint. ESPN NASCAR pit reporter Jamie Little will emcee "After the Lap," starting at 4:30 p.m. This is when drivers let their guards down and show fans a different side of their racing personas, Poveda says.
Tickets cost $20 and are still available at NASCARafterthelap.com. Proceeds go to the NASCAR Foundation, a nonprofit that supports children's charities.
At noon on Dec. 1, the Coca-Cola Fan Zone opens at Hard Rock Hotel. Admission is free. The Fan Zone will feature a variety of interactive displays from the Sprint Experience, Game Show Network, Ford and Coca-Cola. One activity will allow fans to test their ability to change a tire while another will simulate what it's like to drive a stock car.
From Tuesday through Dec. 3, the NASCAR Pit Stop Tour will feature cars placed around the Strip and downtown. Brand ambassadors will be on hand to interact with fans from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The NASCAR Sprint Cup champion's stock car will be displayed at the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign. Other cars from Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota will be on display at the World of Coke; New York-New York; Fashion Show mall; Fremont Street, Bally's and Harrah's.
On Wednesday at 2:15 p.m., the top 12 Sprint Cup drivers will interact with fans in a "Newlywed Game"-type competition at the Fremont Street Experience. Drivers will be randomly paired up and then will have to answer questions about each other. The winning drivers and team will receive suite passes for 2012's NASCAR weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564. Follow @StripSonya on Twitter.
At a glance
Tuesday-Dec. 3: NASCAR Pit Stop Tour. Stock cars will be displayed at the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, the World of Coke, New York-New York, Fashion Show mall, Fremont Street Experience, Bally's and Harrah's. Brand managers will be on hand 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. Viewings are free.
Wednesday: The top 12 drivers pair up a la "Newlywed Game" and answer questions about each other. The show, which is free to the public, starts at 2:15 p.m. on the Third Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience.
Dec. 1: NASCAR victory lap parade, 3 p.m. The top 12 drivers parade down the Strip. Two burnouts and a pit stop are scheduled. The lap starts at Planet Hollywood and ends at the Hard Rock Hotel.
The Coca-Cola Fan Zone, noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel. Fans can see what it's like to drive a stock car or change a tire. Simulated, of course. Admission is free.
NASCAR "After the Lap," 4:30 p.m. in The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. Fans can ask the 12 Chase drivers anything that's on their minds. Admission is $20 and tickets can be purchased online at NASCARafterthelap.com.
Dec. 2: The 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony, 6 p.m. at Wynn Las Vegas. It's not open to the public, but fans might be able to catch sight of their favorite drivers as they walk the red carpet. SPEED will cover the event starting at 6 p.m.
