It is one of the most recognized sections of road throughout the United States, as well as one of the most dazzling. No trip to Sin City is complete without a jaunt down the world famous Las Vegas Strip. Tourists flock to the sidewalks to cruise in and out of the flashy casinos and to see the sights that can only be viewed on this piece of real estate. For one weekend each year, one of the most colorful sports unites with the bright lights of Las Vegas as the Sprint Cup Series travels to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS).
This year the action will not just take place at LVMS, which is located just 15 miles north of the Strip. Instead, fans will be able to keep their chips in hand while cheering on their favorite NASCAR team as for the first time, the colorful NASCAR haulers, transporting the Sprint Cup race cars that will compete later that week, will parade north on the Strip.
"During the week of the NASCAR event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, this entire town becomes NASCAR crazy," Chris Powell, LVMS general manager, said on the track website. "Every opportunity we get to take NASCAR to the Strip is something special. Parades of any kind are very rare on the Strip, so we are very appreciative of the support from the various public agencies that have helped make this happen."
The transporter parade is scheduled for Thursday, February 28th beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Russell Road. An expected 48 to 50 haulers are expected to parade in the middle lane of northbound Las Vegas Boulevard for a total of five miles to Sahara Boulevard before the drivers will head to Interstate 15 to the Speedway.
With NASCAR's talent appearing on the Strip, it seems that turnabout is fair play as some of the famous faces from the Strip will make their way to the 1.5-mile speedway throughout the weekend. Making a return appearance at the Neon Garage, located in the infield at LVMS, is the world-famous Blue Man Group. The crowd pleasing trio performs nightly at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and will also wow fans with a 15-minute show during the pre-race festivities prior to the Sprint Cup Series race.
Another famous face from the Las Vegas entertainment scene is Carol Johnson who plays the part of Donna in the Broadway hit, "Mamma Mia!" which is performed at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino. Johnson will sing the National Anthem before Sunday's race which will be followed by a unique flyover featuring the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, who are based at nearby Nellis Air Force Base.
FOX is scheduled to broadcast live television coverage of the UAW-Dodge 400 beginning at 3:30 p.m. EST. The green flag is scheduled to fall at 4:30 p.m. EST.
UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Qualifying Record: Kasey Kahne (184.856 mph, 29.212 seconds), March 9, 2007
Race Record: Mark Martin (146.554 mph, 2 hours, 43 minutes, 58 seconds), March 1, 1998
2007 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
Total Purse: $6,459,779
