Wendy Venturini compliments Kyle Larson on his at track (Las Vegas Motor Speedway) childcare willingness and abilities. #NASCAR
Clint and Lorra Bowyer have two children - son, Cash and daughter, Presley Elizabeth.
Daddy day care 😂@KyleLarsonRacin doing a great job watching @ClintBowyer @LorraBowyer kids on the pre-race stage. @LVMotorSpeedway @PRNlive pic.twitter.com/pWc81biZWF
— Wendy Venturini (@WendyVenturini) March 16, 2025
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| Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics |
Winning an intense battle against Daniel Suárez after a restart with 19 laps left, Josh Berry pulled away to a convincing victory in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The win was Berry’s first in the NASCAR Cup Series at a track where he won twice in a NASCAR Xfinity Series car. Berry is the fourth straight Wood Brothers Racing driver to pick up his first Cup win in the No. 21 Ford.
“Oh, man, I don’t even know what to think,” Berry said after climbing from his car on the frontstretch. “Just awesome. I love this track. Las Vegas has been so good to me. So many great moments here.
“Just struggled in the Next Gen car here. But (crew chief) Miles (Stanley) and this whole 21 team, everybody at Wood Brothers Racing, they gave me a great car today. Just battled and battled and battled. Man, it was our day. I just can’t believe it.
“Such a battle with Daniel there at the end, beating and banging on a mile-and-a-half — crazy! Whoever was going to get out front was probably going to win. We were able to get in front.”
A short-tracker stands tall on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/wLw3bzuLSi
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 17, 2025
On Friday night, Justin Allgaier saw the Eagles in concert. On Saturday, he was flying.
Holding off Aric Almirola over a 102-lap green-flag run, Allgaier finally claimed victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after finishing second four times at the 1.5-mile track.
Allgaier’s victory in The LiUNA! was his first of the season, the 26th of his career and the 90th for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The reigning series champion crossed the finish line 1.067 seconds ahead of Almirola, who lost ground trying to run the outside lane with just over three laps left.v
With the victory, Allgaier qualified for the first Dash 4 Cash race next Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, along with third-place finisher Jesse Love, fourth-place Austin Hill and fifth-place Sam Mayer. The highest finisher among the four earns a $100,000 bonus.
“It was amazing,” said Allgaier. “This whole team — I just can’t say enough. Aric and I were going at it. Hats off to him; he ran a heck of a race…
“Rick Brandt (of sponsor Brandt) was here last night. He took us to a great concert, Eagles concert … Everyone at JR Motorsports, I can’t say enough about how proud I am of what we have here. It’s been special.”
Today’s victory marks @J_Allgaier’s 9th consecutive Xfinity Series season with a win, tying Kyle Busch and Mark Martin. pic.twitter.com/yEdrZn0KGm
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 15, 2025
Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 4:00 pm ET for the Hard Rock Bet 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Corey Heim made a mistake on pit road, but his crew picked up the slack when it counted.
A lightning-fast stop under caution on Lap 86 put Heim in the lead, and that was the impetus the driver of the No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota needed to win Friday night’s Ecosave 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The stellar work of the pit crew allowed Heim to overcome a pit road speeding penalty he incurred at the end of the first stage on Lap 31.
“First of all, the pit crew did such a good job of getting the truck up front,” said Heim, who won his second race of the season, his first at LVMS and the 13th of his career. “I made that mistake in Stage 1 when I sped on pit road and put us behind.”
“This wasn’t exactly what we wanted in terms of the weather being cold and whatnot,” Heim said. “It seems to be a lot better when it’s hot and greasy, and we’re sliding around.
“I was doing everything I can there. I think all of us were completely wide open at the end. I spent a lot of time looking at my mirror, and it worked out.”
— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) March 15, 2025
Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, March 21, 2025 at 8:00 pm ET for the Baptist Health 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Isaac Kitzmiller and A.L.L. Construction Racing will embark upon the full ARCA Menards Series East season this year starting with Saturday's opener at @5FlagsSpeedway.https://t.co/lWeMvRbd7A
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 17, 2025
Next Race: The ARCA Series East will return on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. CT for the Pensacola 150 at Five Flags Speedway.
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway Fan Zone will be packed with so much to see and do including DJs and bands performing all weekend long. Located outside the main ticket gates, a wide-variety of vendors will have displays set up: EchoPark Automotive, Pennzoil, South Point, and many more. In addition to driver appearances and autograph sessions, there will be plenty of merchandise trailers featuring souvenirs of your favorite drivers. Get here early so you don't miss a thing!
We've added to our star-studded pre-race! Academy Award-Winning actor and producer, Morgan Freeman will give the command to start your engines as the Grand Marshal of the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube on Sunday, March 16.
Country recording artist and songwriter, Cali Tucker will perform the national anthem for the Pennzoil 400. The honorary Pace Car will be driven by WWE Women's United States Champion, Chelsea Green.
The flyover on Sunday will be performed by an U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, who are stationed at neighboring Nellis Air Force Base.
.@AntronBrown, NHRA Top Fuel World Champion, named an honorary race official for the Pennzoil 400! pic.twitter.com/cTgyjnD04f
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) March 14, 2025
We are excited to announce @John_Schneider as one of our honorary race officials for the Pennzoil 400! pic.twitter.com/INszn605jB
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) March 14, 2025
The Wedge Brothers with Kelly Sheehan will kick off the Sunday pre-race activities with a fun classic rock performance on the Pre-Race Stage.Th UNLV Rebel Girls & Company Dance Team will follow the concert with a pre-race dance performance prior to Driver Introductions.
Race fans can get up close to the stage for driver appearances and maybe even get an autograph from your favorite driver! Be sure to check the 'Appearances' page for all the latest schedule updates. In addition to the Trackside Live Stage appearances, the Neon Garage has plenty to offer including live entertainment options, specialty concessions, and you can watch Victory Lane celebrations and tech inspections!
Most NASCAR Cup Series drivers meetings happen out of the public eye. But at LVMS, fans can gather in the Neon Garage to watch when all the drivers and race dignitaries attend The Driver's Meeting under the Neon Garage canopy. Once the meeting is over, the drivers and VIPs will walk down the Red Carpet on their way to Driver Introductions.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and Sin City Tundras/Vegas Toyota Offroad will have a large display in the Fan Zone outside of Gate C. There will be new vehicles on display as well as driver appearances throughout the weekend.
The Draft Bar is free to all ticket-holders!
Located on Club-Level near Elevator 1, race fans can enjoy the view overlooking the speedway in the popular Draft Bar. In this unique motorsports setting, fans can lounge around the outdoor patio while enjoying a favorite beverage from the bar or sit back and catch all the action on multiple LCD televisions while savoring freshly-prepared food.
Looking to get your Pennzoil 400 merchandise without waiting in line? Get your hats, shirts and more online! Once you're here, be sure to check out our Gift Shop and visit all the souvenir trailers in the Fan Zone!
Kids 12 and under are free today for the #Ecosave200!@Ticketmaster | 🎟️ : https://t.co/OfoRaLrxqF pic.twitter.com/WEyIIYROpO
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) March 14, 2025
You can find all of your favorite drivers (Cup, Xfinity & Truck Series) at the fabulous Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the 2025 Spring NASCAR Weekend, March 13–16, 2025.
The event weekend includes the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube NASCAR Cup Series race, The LiUNA NASCAR Xfinity Series race, and the Ecosave 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.
Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 45) Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 90) Final Stage (Ends on Lap 200)
Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 30) Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 60) Final Stage (Ends on Lap 134)
Check out the schedule to see what's going on during race weekend!
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) March 12, 2025
Schedule: https://t.co/rNLtMIEM0V pic.twitter.com/7mA0xYu9U9
On most fall days, UNLV coach Barry Odom is giving direction to his the UNLV football team. But on Sunday, Oct. 20, he will be commanding the greatest stock car drivers in the world to start their engines.
Odom, who has guided the Rebels to a record-breaking start to their season, has been named grand marshal for this year’s South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“I have been a NASCAR fan for quite some time and have been to many races at other tracks,” Odom said. “But this will be my first time doing ‘Drivers Start Your Engines!’ and to do it here in Las Vegas where our family has made our home will be extra special.”
Sunday's South Point 400 is set for a SmackDown double feature. WWE Superstars Rey Mysterio and Braun Strowman have been named honorary starters for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race.
Mysterio, a southern California native and Las Vegas resident, is known as one of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time. He will get the honors of dropping the green flag to start the South Point 400. Strowman, known as The Monster of All Monsters, will join him in the flagstand as the cars come to life.
A 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 is set for the #SouthPoint400!
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) October 15, 2024
WWE Superstars Rey Mysterio and Braun Strowman have been named honorary starters for Sunday’s race.
Read more: https://t.co/c8I0qaKAkf pic.twitter.com/l4lZadX9gX
Musician 2nd Class Elizabeth Wetzel will perform the national anthem to start the highly anticipated race. Wetzel's all-around experience spans musical talent, educational expertise, and military service. She earned her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University in 2018 and taught elementary school students while drilling with the Navy Reserve in Phoenix. Wetzel is also a lead vocalist with the renowned Navy Band Northwest.
Navy Band Northwest will get the crowd amped before driver introductions with a high-energy concert. With a legacy spanning almost a century, Navy Band Northwest provides ceremonial support, public performances, and educational outreach across the Pacific Northwest. For the first time at LVMS, they will perform hits from all genres, including rock, rap, funk, R&B, and country music.
Las Vegan Katie Grimes is one of the fastest swimmers in the world, but now she gets a chance to keep pace with the fastest stock cars in the world.
Grimes, a silver medalist in swimming at the Paris Olympics, is shifting gears from taking laps in an Olympic pool to taking laps on the racetrack as she takes on her newest role as celebrity pace car driver for the South Point 400 on Oct. 20.
Grimes, an18-year-old Las Vegas native, is a rising star in the swimming world. She has set multiple Nevada state records and won numerous state championships. Grimes has been recognized as one of the most exciting athletes to watch compete in her sport, and even her Olympic teammate and nine-time gold medal winner Katie Ledecky agrees that Grimes is the "future" of swimming in the United States. In 2020, she was the youngest American swimmer to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the 800m freestyle. This summer in Paris, Grimes solidified her status as a swimming superstar by winning a silver Olympic medal in the 400m individual medley.
“Swimming in my second Olympic Games was such a milestone experience for me,” Grimes said. “And while swimming is my life, getting the opportunity to represent our city, our state and our country was incredibly special. And now representing at the South Point 400 is really exciting.”
Katie Grimes takes 2ND PLACE in the women's 400m IM! 🥈 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/MKw2zMpYIG
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 30, 2024
The lights in Las Vegas are about to get even brighter. The NASCAR Playoffs are coming to town and taking center stage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
There's no better place to start your NASCAR weekend than The Bullring! Don't miss the chance to witness NASCAR Champion Kevin Harvick battle on the track!
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) October 15, 2024
Get your tickets for an action-packed night! ➡️ https://t.co/1CXtDBStpB pic.twitter.com/Dufbz0SiEC
Race action starts Friday with free admission to the speedway for the Hauler Parade and Xfinity practice and qualifying. Later that night, race action shifts to The Bullring for the zMax CARS Tour West Star Nursery Classic, where fans can attend for as low as $20 during pre-sale, and kids 12 and under can attend for free.
On Saturday, NASCAR’s Cup Series hits the track first with practice and qualifying, followed by the Ambetter Health 302 NASCAR Xfinity Series race. The weekend concludes on Sunday with the South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race.
Nothing beats that home race win feeling. pic.twitter.com/00gSGQE5PN
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) October 13, 2024
The Cup Series is down to eight drivers fighting to get a spot in the final four. Kyle Larson comes into Las Vegas leading with +33, Christopher Bell follows just behind with +13, Tyler Reddick not too far behind with just +10, William Byron comes to LVMS just shy of the cutoff with +4.
Ryan Blaney last year's champion trying to go back-to-back currently sits below the cut line with -4, Denny Hamlin follows closely with -8, Chase Elliott with an even closer margin at just -9 and Joey Logano at -11 after surviving the Bank of America ROVAL 400 due to Alex Bowman’s disqualification last race.
It was a race that will soon have its own page in the Nemechek family scrapbook, as John Hunter Nemechek joined his father, Joe, as NASCAR Xfinity Series winners Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was the younger Nemechek’s 10th win in the series.
Nemechek also won the 2021 edition of the NASCAR Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and etched his name next to the elder Nemechek, who claimed the 2003 NASCAR Xfinity Series shootout in Las Vegas.
“I love winning. I love winning races,” said Nemechek. “But to be able to win 10 Xfinity races is a pretty big accomplishment.”
Nemechek started 12th in the No. 20 Safeway/Albertsons Toyota and found his way to the front of the pack quickly to lead just shy of 100 laps on the day.
Pole winner Cole Custer was second well over four seconds behind Nemechek, Chandler Smith took third and Austin Hill’s unbeaten streak to start the year was halted with a fourth-place showing. Las Vegan Riley Herbst tried to make it back-to-back wins at his home track and challenged for the lead late but eventually took fifth.
Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Smith and Nemechek swept all stages as the tandem combined to lead for 173 of 200 laps. It was Smith’s third consecutive top-five finish to open the season to move up to second in the point standings.
When asked what he will remember most about this victory, Nemechek responded, “It’s Vegas. What is there not to remember about Vegas?”
He added, “I’ve always run really well here. Don’t really know what, but I guess it always fits my racing style.”
Facing 32 mph sustains wins with gusts up to 65 mph, Custer led the field from outside on the opening lap and was joined three-wide by Smith and AJ Allmendinger off Turn 1. That set the tone for an aggressive race, as Smith and Allmendinger joined Nemechek to go three-wide again on Lap 14.
Smith, who qualified in the No. 2 spot, won the opening stage and held the lead until Lap 49, when he fell to seventh after jack issues during his pit stop. He went on to capture Stage 2 and paced the field for 74 laps on the day.
Nemechek went to the front on Lap 55 but was caught by Smith on Lap 89. The duo traded leads a half dozen times over the next 20 laps.
After Josh Williams pushed his ride to the limit and pitted on Lap 190, Nemechek regained the lead for good and coasted to the win.
Bett’n on 20🎰#teamtoyota pic.twitter.com/P1iL6KHOlO
— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) March 3, 2024
Rajah Caruth made history by becoming only the third Black driver to win a national series race when he crossed the finish line first in the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 presented by Westgate Resorts NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, joining the likes of hall of famer Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace in the 20th year of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program.
“It’s surreal ... glad to get the win for Team Chevy,” Caruth told FS1 after the race. “I can’t thank my family enough. So many people have helped me get to this point. I can’t believe it.
“There’s more to come, for sure.”
Under the Friday night lights and with his parents watching from the stands at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the 21-year-old Caruth, who also claimed his first career pole earlier in the day, led 38 laps for his first career win in 30 starts. Tyler Ankrum, Corey Heim, Taylor Gray and Christopher Bell rounded out the top 5.
“I’m glad I made the most of it tonight and get locked into the playoffs,” Caruth added.
Caruth, Kyle Busch, Nick Sanchez and Ty Majeski each sat in the top 10 when pitting on Lap 102. Caruth and his No. 71 Spire Motorsports team nailed the final pit stop and he went on to take the lead for good 12 laps later.
Majeski led for 40 laps and won the first two stages, but a pit-road speeding penalty late in the race cost the No. 98 Ford valuable track position. Majeski ended up finishing 10th.
Caruth only led two laps in his career prior to the win, which came three days after HendrickCars.com extended its partnership with the No. 71 Chevrolet driver from Washington, D.C. The iRacing aficionado turned heads through the first two weeks of the season with a third-place showing at Daytona International Speedway and an eight-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
"Surreal ... I can't believe it."
— Josh Sims (@JoshRSims) March 2, 2024
Talking with @rajahcaruth_ after his first career NASCAR Truck Series victory in Las Vegas. @NASCARonFOX pic.twitter.com/gPvGRbMXUQ
Caruth, a senior student at Winston-Salem State, stayed in or around the top five for the bulk of the race, including an early battle with Busch in Stage 1. Busch briefly held the lead but told his crew on Lap 21 that his truck was getting tight. He faded back and crossed 15th to close the evening.
The race included 19 lead changes and four cautions.
Smoke comin’ out the Car-oof! 💨@rajahcaruth_ | #VictoriasVoice200 pic.twitter.com/8FUGf3sxVq
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) March 2, 2024
Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst are gearing up for racing in Las Vegas, aiming for triumph at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with Wallace in Cup and Herbst in Xfinity. Both drivers showcased their skill at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last year, with Wallace earning a fourth-place finish in the Pennzoil 400 and Herbst picking up his first career Xfinity win in October. As they approach the upcoming weekend, they took a moment to connect with the media, sharing thoughts and expectations for the races ahead.
Wallace arrives at LVMS coming off two top-10 finishes at Daytona and Atlanta -- the only Cup Series driver to do so. He’s hoping to continue his streak of top-10 finishes this weekend.
“Vegas has always been really good to me and our team,” Wallace said. “Toyotas got the new body out, the Camry; the numbers show really well. So this will be the first race of the season; we got through those first two wild cards; it performed okay, so this will be the real test."
Reflecting on the 2023 season, Wallace raced to clinch a playoff spot in the round of 16 based on points. This momentum propelled Bubba in the second playoff round, concluding the season with five top-5 finishes, ten top-10 finishes, and 285 laps led—an achievement marking a new career best.
Herbst, a Las Vegas native, is looking to continue a hot streak at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Coming out of Daytona and Atlanta, finishing in sixth and 15th, the Stewart-Haas driver is looking to drive his way to the front of the pack yet again. Herbst stands third in the Xfinity Series Driver Standings with 74 points, right behind Austin Hill and Sheldon Creed.
“I feel like we have the momentum,” Herbst said. “I walk into the garage in the Xfinity Series, knowing that I can win any race, lead every lap and that I am a championship contender. “I think, you know, that's new, and that happened after my win here in Las Vegas, and hopefully, we can continue that roll and be a dominant force this year.”
"You don't know what this means."@RileyHerbst is an @XfinityRacing WINNER! pic.twitter.com/a6HwVJkX4I
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 14, 2023
The 7th annual Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) is set to be a fan favorite in 2024. This year’s race weekend provides many exciting opportunities for fans, at and away from track, to meet drivers, get an up-close look at a variety of cool cars, and enjoy a first-class NASCAR race weekend tripleheader.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race takes place Friday night, March 1st at 6:00 pm PST, followed by the NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Saturday, March 2nd at 2:00 pm PST. NASCAR Cup Series drivers will start their engines for the Pennzoil 400 on Sunday, March 3rd at 12:30 PM PST, and the race will be broadcast live on FOX.
"The Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is more than just a race; it's an opportunity for us to share the love of racing and heart-pounding roar of engines with NASCAR fans," shared Bree Sandlin, Vice President of Shell Lubricants North America Marketing. “It gives us the chance to continue to showcase the high-performance of our products on the track, while also celebrating the impressive cars, drivers, and those working behind the scenes motorsports industry to bring fans together to experience the rumble at tracks throughout the country at 180 mph.”
Fans will be able to meet drivers at select locations prior to the race and will have the ability to meet influencers and check out a variety of unique cars during the race weekend in the Las Vegas Motor Speedway midway as they enter the track at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Fan Zone Presented by Pennzoil including:
Couple of Pennzoil lads hanging out. Come by if you can! https://t.co/6kBwrAUPcB
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) February 29, 2024
Fans also can enter the Pennzoil 400 Social Sweepstakes that runs through Tuesday March 5th, 2024. Four grand prize winners will receive the Grand Prize Pennzoil Tailgate Kit while hundreds of winners can qualify for a number of other great prizes. *No Purchase Necessary. Ends 3/5/24. Void Where Prohibited. Terms Apply. See pennzoil.com for full details.
Over the race weekend members of The Rebelle Rally, the first women’s off-road navigation rally raid in the United States, will be present for a special announcement by Pennzoil. Alex and Meg Taylor and their Jeep Wrangler 4XE as well as Rori Lewis and Shelby Hall and their Ford Bronco will be present at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Fan Zone Presented by Pennzoil throughout the weekend, where fans will have an opportunity to meet the drivers and see their vehicles up close.
Both Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske as well as his teammate and reigning NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 12 Ford Mustang, will be carrying exclusive Pennzoil paint schemes on their cars. Logano has found the scheme especially lucky in winning the Pennzoil 400 twice in that livery (2019 & 2020) and the fall event at LVMS in 2022 that springboarded him to his second Cup championship.
Since 1913, Pennzoil has crafted innovative formulas to help prolong engine life and promote top performance, much of which can be attributed to technical partnerships like those with Team Penske. Pennzoil engineers work closely with Team Penske to develop special motor oil formulations to maximize engine protection and engine performance. Constant improvement developed throughout the season, in the harshest racing conditions, contributes to the advancement of the brand’s technology for your car.
“Jiffy Lube is proud to team up with Pennzoil for the seventh year to bring this action-packed NASCAR Cup Series event to race fans,” said Suzanne Clerkin, Chief Marketing Officer, Jiffy Lube International, Inc. “The Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube is a great opportunity to bring two leading iconic automotive brands together both on and off the track to help keep drivers on the road.”
At the end of 2022, leaders from Pennzoil and Speedway Motorsports Incorporated, owner and operator of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, announced a long-term continuation of the Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube NCS race at LVMS, a testament to how synonymous Pennzoil has become with the spring NASCAR weekend. The relationship with SMI provides Pennzoil the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships within the motorsports industry, with customers, and with some of the most loyal fans in all of sports – NASCAR fans.
“This will be the seventh year of our partnership with Pennzoil and Jiffy Lube,” said LVMS President Chris Powell. “Pennzoil’s relationship with all forms of motorsports is tops in the racing industry, and we’re looking forward to many more years with the Pennzoil name on our spring NASCAR race.”
Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube will kick off in style as Las Vegas Raiders’ two-time All-Pro punter A.J. Cole has been named grand marshal for the 27th annual event. The three-time Pro Bowler will deliver the command to start engines before a massive crowd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“This is going to be a thrill of a lifetime to get to do this,” Cole said. “I know it’s pretty special to be the person chosen to do this, so I promise I will make it memorable. On top of that, I’m looking forward to spending the day taking in all of the excitement of a NASCAR event.”
Since joining the Raiders organization in 2019, Cole has been named to the All-Pro First-Team twice and selected for the Pro Bowl three times. For the 2023-2024 season, Cole led the NFL in net punting average and had the most punts stopped inside the 20. Cole was the Raiders nominee for the 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding excellence on and off the field through exceptional community service.
The Raider has achieved several records, notably setting the NFL record with an average of 63.6 yards per punt in a game against the New York Giants, totaling 318 yards. Additionally, he holds the franchise record for the longest punt at 83 yards.
Cole will join a list of distinguished guests who have also delivered the command at LVMS including Vegas Golden Knights Adin Hill and William Carrier, Legendary car builder Carroll Shelby, actor Mark Wahlberg, comedian Tim Allen, former Raiders Marcus Allen and Derek Carr, actor Cole Hauser, socialite Kim Kardashian, country music group Rascal Flatts, noted broadcaster Brent Musburger and UFC President Dana White.
Ready to bring the hype, @AJCole90? The Las Vegas @Raiders will deliver the most famous words in motorsports for the #Pennzoil400 on Sunday!
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) February 28, 2024
📰: https://t.co/peAvf62Zdu pic.twitter.com/TDnC3JvP8J
Kyle Larson earned this trophy the old-fashioned way. The No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driver led the most laps and swept both stage wins but still had to hold off a hard-charging, equally motivated Christopher Bell at the start/finish line to claim a dramatic victory in Sunday’s South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The 31-year-old Larson blocked the final charge by fellow playoff driver Bell’s No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota as the two cars approached the checkered flag. Larson ultimately positioned his Chevy in front to claim a 0.082-second win and secure the first of four available positions in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 race at Phoenix in three weeks.
“Thankfully, Christopher [Bell] always races extremely clean. It could have gotten crazier than it did coming to the start-finish line, so thank you to him for racing with respect there,” Larson said. “What a job done by my team. Just a great race car.
“I almost gave it away there in turns 1 and 2. Got sideways and hit the wall and had to fight back from there. I was happy to pull away as much as we did and was hoping that would be enough to maintain, which it was. But I didn’t think they’d be able to get as close as they did at the end. So nerve-wracking.
“This is really cool to get to race for the championship in a few weeks, and really glad I don’t have to stress these next two races,” Larson continued.
Look at how big of a run the No. 20 had coming off of the final corner. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/aDX4aC6nb2
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 16, 2023
Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, Oct. 22 2:30 PM ET for the 4EVER 400 Presented by Mobil 1 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
It was a fitting venue, a perfect scenario for Riley Herbst to earn his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series race — a dominating 14.9-second victory in the Alsco Uniforms 302 at his home track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Herbst‘s No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford led 103 of the 201 laps of the playoff race, leaving no room for error in this career-making day for the 24-year-old Las Vegas native. It was the most significant margin of victory in the series this season and nearly seven seconds better than the previous best margin of victory for an Xfinity Series race at this track — 8.4 seconds set back in 2002.
More than 60 of Herbst‘s close friends and family members were trackside for this standout showing, and Herbst was understandably emotional as he climbed out of his Ford — earning his first trophy in his 139th series start.
“Oh my goodness, I love this town and I love this team,‘‘ Herbst said, effusively thanking the people — family, team owners and corporate sponsors – who had stuck by him as he made his way up the ranks.
“Oh my goodness, you don‘t know what this means, what this takes off my chest. I can‘t believe it. I love you, Las Vegas. Let‘s go.‘‘
“I‘ve been working on myself and everything I can control and all I can do is all I can do,‘‘ he added. “If there was a caution, there was a caution and we would race them straight up.‘‘
You can just feel the emotion. pic.twitter.com/subJHkiSyX
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 14, 2023
Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, Oct. 21 3:00 PM ET for the Contender Boats 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs continue on Oct. 21 at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the top four drivers in the standings after the race set to decide the Championship in the Nov. 3 season finale at Phoenix.
Ty Majeski is the defending Homestead-Miami race winner.
Can the defending champ keep his title hopes alive?
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 12, 2023
Does @TyMajeski repeat last year’s victory?
Will @CoreyHeim_’s historic top-10 streak continue? pic.twitter.com/3R2TrKKkwB
Before Friday night, Dylan Cappello hadn’t raced in the ARCA Menards Series West since 2015.
Based on his performance during the Star Nursery 150 at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, you never would have known it.
Cappello, a veteran racer who works for Front Row Motorsports as the lead engineer for Zane Smith in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, scored his first West Series triumph in dramatic fashion aboard the No. 88 Ford Mustang owned by Mike Naake.
“Man it’s just crazy. This is just kind of a one-off deal, just come out to have fun with family and friends,” said Cappello, who has raced countless times at The Bullring in both a Late Model and a Modified. “It turned into a win. It’s out of control. It’s crazy. I don’t even know what’s happening right now.
“This car is so fast. Mike Naake has a great piece.”
𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥! 👏@dylancappello11 gets the job done and wins the #StarNursery150. pic.twitter.com/5i1cy07I9S
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) October 14, 2023
