Speedway News (8232)
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“The Half Mile of Mayhem” – A Fitting Nickname for Martinsville Speedway
12 Dec 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonThe STP 500 weekend at Martinsville Speedway is only 100 days away and, in recent years, Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell has found a nickname for the historic facility he presides over: The Half-Mile of Mayhem.
From the very first race in 1947, when Buck Baker led the first 48 laps of the 50 lap race, only to be passed by Red Byron on lap 49, more often than not the 71-year-old Speedway has lived up to the moniker.
However, in recent years the mayhem-meter has been turned up to 11.
In 2012, the legend of the Half-Mile of Mayhem began to grow. Clint Bowyer wiped out leaders Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon on a late restart and Ryan Newman survived the carnage to claim a win.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. banged doors with Tony Stewart in the closing laps in 2014 to seal his first Martinsville Speedway win.
The Mayhem took off from there.
In 2015, Joey Logano and Matt Kenseth’s on-track spat, coupled with the race being Gordon’s final win, became the stuff of legend.
Emotions spilled into post-race in 2017, when Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott had a heated face-to-face after the checkered flag fell. In the closing laps Hamlin made contact with leader Elliott, sending NASCAR’s newly crowned Most Popular Driver into the wall and denying him his first career win and a guaranteed spot in the Championship race of the season.
And, in 2018, Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr.’s duel to the finish line in the First Data 500 cemented the nickname in the mind of Campbell.
“We have had so many great races over the years, and I have been lucky to see many of them,” Campbell said. “The last few years, it just feels like the intensity has really grown.
“Every driver wants that grandfather clock trophy, and they have all shown they are willing to do whatever it takes to earn a win here at Martinsville.”
Perhaps Cup Series star Kevin Harvick perhaps summed up recent races at Martinsville Speedway best when asked about the 2017 finish between Elliott and Hamlin, saying “bent fenders and hurt feelings, I love it!”
For Campbell and the Speedway staff, the exciting finishes have grown from tall tales told in quiet moments into an identity the group has embraced.
“We feel like we supply the most exciting racing in all of NASCAR,” Campbell said. “The drivers are the ones with their hands on the wheel and feet on the pedals, but Martinsville has consistently provided action that is second-to-none.
“Mayhem at the end of races here is what brings the fans back year after year. Whether their driver came out for better or for worse, that excitement is what we are known for. We don’t shy away from that.”
Campbell has long claimed that two events in his mind stand above the rest.
In 1987, Terry Labonte and Dale Earnhardt wrecked on the final lap, clearing the way for Darrell Waltrip to claim a win.
In 1981, Richie Evans’ modified racer crossed the finish line with two wheels on the track and two wheels on the catch fence beating Geoff Bodine in a race that veteran broadcaster Mike Joy said is “the greatest race I’ve ever had the pleasure of calling.”
With so much excitement over recent years, Campbell said that he isn’t so sure those are automatically the top two in his rankings anymore.
“Some recent races have certainly entered the discussion for the title of ‘best finish ever at Martinsville,’” Campbell said. “It’s exciting knowing that going into any race weekend, no matter what series it is, we could have a moment that will be discussed as one of the greatest finishes in NASCAR history. I don’t know that many other tracks can say that.”
Racing returns to Martinsville Speedway March 22-24, 2019 for the STP 500 race weekend.
Tickets are on sale now. To guarantee the lowest prices of the year purchase tickets by Friday, December 14.
For more information about Martinsville Speedway or to purchase tickets, call 877.RACE.TIX or visit www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
Martinsville Speedway PR
24th Annual Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive Raised More Than $17,000 and 300 Toys for Children in Need
11 Dec 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonMore than 500 children-in-need in the Martinsville and Henry County area will receive Christmas gifts this year, thanks to the more than $17,300 and 306 toys donated as a part of the 24th annual Martinsville Speedway Christmas Toy Drive.
The toy drive, which benefits Grace Network of Martinsville and Henry County, was held on December 8th at the Speedway. People could donate a new toy or $20 for the opportunity to drive their personal car around the Half Mile of Mayhem, or pay $60 to ride with Speedway President Clay Campbell in a two-seater NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race truck.
“Each year I’m amazed at how many people come out and support the Toy Drive,” Speedway President Clay Campbell said. “This is an event that we, as a staff, believe in, but really it shows how much the people care about each other. While we host the event, it would not be possible without local businesses and the people who come out and participate.”
For the first time, Grace Network worked through the local schools to identify children in need. The network, which is made up of more than 200 area churches, ended up with 528 children on their list.
“We are so grateful,” Grace Network Executive Director Tracy Hinchcliff said. “I would like to thank the Speedway and all of the people who came out to drive their cars and spend time with family to support the Toy Drive. I’m always taken aback at how many people come out to support people in need.”
In addition to the hundreds of individuals who participated, Appalachian Electric Power (AEP), Bassett Furniture and Patrick Henry Community College all made significant donations to the Toy Drive.
For information on how to support Grace Network of Martinsville and Henry County, visit www.gracenetworkmhc.org.
Martinsville Speedway PR
‘Michelin On-Track Opportunity’ Facilitating Preparations for 57th Rolex 24 At DAYTONA
11 Dec 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonExotic sports cars gathered at Daytona International Speedway on Tuesday for a special “Michelin On-Track Opportunity” that facilitated preparations for the 57th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA event weekend, Jan. 26-27 at Daytona International Speedway.
For the Michelin-hosted event, teams competing in the International Motor Sports Association’s marquee series, the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, were joined by teams from the IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge and IMSA Prototype Challenge. The Rolex 24 is the season-opening event for the WeatherTech Championship. The BMW Endurance Challenge, the four-hour season opener for the IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge will be held on Friday, Jan. 25; the IMSA Prototype Challenge starts its season with a three-hour race on Saturday, Jan. 5 during the Roar Before the Rolex 24 (Jan. 4-6) test sessions.
All four WeatherTech Championship classes – Daytona Prototype international, LMP2, GT Le Mans and GT Daytona – were represented Tuesday, including the 2017 Rolex 24-winning Wayne Taylor Racing organization. Orlando-area driver Jordan Taylor will be joined on his team’s Rolex 24 lineup by regular co-driver Renger van der Zande and two very special one-race teammates: former Formula 1 and current FIA World Endurance Championship regular Kamui Kobayashi and two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso. The foursome will share the No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R in the Rolex 24.
This will mark a return to the Rolex 24 for Alonso, who made his debut in the event last year, co-driving a United Autosports entry to a 38th-place finish. The 2019 Rolex 24 will be the first event of any kind for Alonso since he recently began a sabbatical from full-time F1 competition. Alonso is a 17-year F1 veteran, the last four with the McLaren organization.
“This is undoubtedly one of the greatest races in American and world motorsport,” Alonso said recently when his Rolex 24 entry was announced. “After an intense year in which I’ve competed in both Formula 1 and the WEC, I’m really looking forward to 2019 and attempting to conquer one of the most important races in the world. I’m brimming with hunger and desire.”
Taylor, one of IMSA’s longtime top regular prototype drivers, welcomes the “one-off” additions of Alonso and Kobayashi. But he also welcomed Tuesday’s opportunity to run laps on the famed 3.56-mile DIS road course.
“Daytona is a very unique track so whenever you can get track time here, you try to make the most of it,” Taylor said. “Getting use to the new Michelin tire is a big deal … as many miles as we can do on Michelin tires and learning what it takes to make that tire perform at its best and prepare for the Rolex 24. It’s our Super Bowl of the year. You want to get the car right for this race.
“We always come out with some spectacular lineup for the Rolex 24. Last year we had former Indy 500 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay with us and in 2017 when we won, we had Jeff Gordon on the team. Next year we will have Alonso and Kobayashi. For us, Daytona is our biggest race and the one we want to win the most, so we’re putting everything we can into the car. Those are [two] guys with amazing experience and so much knowledge. Maybe they can bring us some different feedback. We wanted them because they want to win races just like we do.”
Tickets for the Roar Before the Rolex 24, the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the 61st DAYTONA 500 and other Daytona International Speedway events can be purchased online at www.
DIS PR
Start Your Engines! Green Flag Times Announced for Talladega Superspeedway’s 2019 NASCAR Premier Series Events
11 Dec 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonTalladega Superspeedway, in conjunction with NASCAR, announced that the starting times for both its 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series events - the GEICO 500, set for Sunday, April 28, and the 1000Bulbs.com 500, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 13 – will be at 1 p.m. CDT.
The GEICO 500 will air live on FOX and MRN while the 1000Bulbs.com 500 will be live on NBC and MRN. Both races earlier this year also had a 1 p.m. CDT start time.
The GEICO 500 will be part of a tripleheader weekend (April 26-28) that will also feature the NASCAR Xfinity Series, as well as the ARCA Racing Series with the General Tire 200. Times for those events will be announced at a later date. That weekend will also feature the opening of the track’s new Oversized Vehicle Tunnel, part of the approximately $50 million Transformation Infield Project that is part of International Speedway Corporation’s (Talladega’s parent company) long-term capital allocation plan and reinvestment into its major motorsports complexes. The new two-lane tunnel will be capable of allowing vehicles as large as race team haulers, fans’ recreational vehicles as well as track tram vehicles (to take fans who have both infield admission and grandstand seating) to enter and exit the track simultaneously with ease. It will be open 24 hours during event weekends. Also slated to be ready for spring 2019 is the 67-spot Finish Line Premium RV area (located just past the start-finish line & includes full hookups), as well as new Infield Shower Trailers.
The culmination of Transformation will occur in October 2019 and will allow fans to be immersed into the sport of NASCAR with a one-of-a-kind Garage Fan Zone Experience, which will feature “up-close” access, interactive attractions and enhanced amenities for fans, sponsors, teams and stakeholders in the iconic Talladega infield. The fall weekend will consist of NASCAR Playoff races for not only the 1000Bulbs.com 500 but also the Sugarlands Shine 250 for the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Trucks Series. Time of the green flag for the Sugarlands Shine 250 will come at a later date.
For ticket information on all events at Talladega Superspeedway, call 855-518-RACE (7223) or log on to www.talladegasuperspeedway.com
TSS PR
South Point 400 gets a ‘cool’ new start time in 2019; Pennzoil 400 presented By Jiffy Lube set for 12:30 p.m. on March 3
11 Dec 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonThe fans spoke, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway made sure its partners at NASCAR and NBC were listening.
Fans attending the 2019 South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be able to see the checkered flag fall under the lights.
The MENCS Playoffs kickoff event – set for Sunday, Sept. 15 – will feature a new start time of 4:15 p.m. Pacific Time, assuring a cooler nighttime finish under the lights at the 1.5-mile superspeedway. Race fans will be able to beat the heat and see the majority of the 267-lap race from the shaded grandstands at LVMS after sunset thanks to the new start time.
“We’re excited about this change to our start time for the South Point 400 and feel it will be a big hit with fans,” LVMS President Chris Powell said. “We listened to fan feedback about the heat we experienced at this race, and we applaud NASCAR and NBC Sports Network for working with us to provide a more favorable starting time for our attendees. We can’t wait to kick off the 2019 NASCAR Playoffs with a checkered flag under the lights in Las Vegas!”
The South Point 400 will cap an action-packed weekend of racing at LVMS in September. The World of Westgate 200 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race is set for Friday, Sept. 13, with the DC Solar 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series event following on Saturday.
The speedway’s March 3 Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube will begin at 12:30 p.m. and anchor a busy week of racing at the 1,000-acre facility. The World of Outlaws will take to the LVMS Dirt Track on Wednesday, Feb. 27, and Thursday, Feb. 28, with the Star Nursery 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race serving as the second of a double feature on Thursday.
The Stratosphere 200 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race and Stratosphere qualifying follow on Friday, March 1, and Saturday’s racing action is highlighted by the Boyd Gaming 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race.
NASCAR will announce race start times for its Xfinity and Truck Series at a later date.
Various ticket packages, fun extras and special-access passes for LVMS’s NASCAR weekends are available at www.lvms.com or by calling 1-800-644-4444.
LVMS PR
FOX Sports Launches Fifth Fully Electric FIA Formula E Season Live from Saudi Arabia
11 Dec 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonFOX Sports opens the FIA Formula E Championship season live from Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 AM ET on FS1, with former Formula One engineer Steve Matchett hosting coverage of the Ad Diriyah ePrix.
The 13-round season, highlighted by the premiere of the series’ wildly anticipated Gen2 car, debuts on the 1.55-mile, 21-turn street course in Ad Diriyah, with Bob Varsha, Jack Nichols and IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti on the call.
“Formula E is unique,” said Matchett, who hosts for FOX Sports all season. “The series has no rivals; it stands alone. Frankly, upon its inception, the series seemed to be treated as a quirky novelty, something all but ignored by many enthusiasts of motor sports' established championships. However, this did nothing to dampen the ardor of this new 'green' series -- quite the opposite.
“Formula E is catching a new audience,” Matchett added. “A whole new fan base; a younger crowd that view cars differently; a crowd disinterested in the wails of a Ferrari V12 or the thudding roar of a 'big block' V8. This 'new' crowd plays video games. They are fascinated by electronics. They do not long to own a car, rather they ride-share. They see the world differently, and, naturally, this younger crowd will outlive the rest of us. Again, the future isn't just around the corner, rather it's already here.”
Qualifying for the Ad Diriyah ePrix airs on FS2 prior to the race from 5:30 to 6:30 AM ET (SDD), following the Jaguar iPace Series from 4:30 to 5:30 AM ET also on FS2.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, the 2018-19 season includes races in Marrakesh, Morocco; Santiago, Chile; Mexico City; Hong Kong; Sanya, China; Rome; Paris; Monaco; Berlin and Bern, Switzerland, concluding with a pair of New York City ePrixs from Red Hook, Brooklyn.
For more information on the FIA Formula E Championship, visit Formula E.
Fox Sports PR
Darlington Raceway Announces 2019 MENCS Bojangles Southern 500 Start Time
11 Dec 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonDarlington Raceway and NASCAR announced that the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500®, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, will start at 6 p.m. ET.
The NASCAR XFINITY Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 start time will be announced at a later date.
The Bojangles’ Southern 500 will be televised live on NBCSN. It will also broadcast on the Motor Racing Network, as well as SiriusXM Channel 90.
“Darlington Raceway will be hosting the Bojangles’ Southern 500 under the lights on Labor Day weekend for the fifth consecutive year in 2019,” track president Kerry Tharp said. “We’re excited to be hosting NASCAR’s top series again this upcoming season at 6 p.m.”
NBC and NBCSN have supported Darlington Raceway’s historic celebration of the sport with a throwback-style broadcast that aligns with the different eras the track has celebrated since the inception of throwback weekend in 2015.
MRN has also contributed to throwback weekend as well having supported the platform in a variety of different ways in the past four years.
The Tradition Continues on Labor Day weekend as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500® is set for Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. The NASCAR XFINITY Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 will race on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. You can keep up with all of the latest news from Darlington Raceway at DarlingtonRaceway.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DarlingtonRaceway and on Twitter at Twitter.com/TooToughToTame.
Darlington Raceway PR
The Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 Monster Energy NASAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway has a new start time of 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2019. The Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 will be broadcast live on NBCSN and all local PRN radio affiliates. This announcement was made today in collaboration with NBC Sports Network and NASCAR.
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 – Sunday, July 21 at 3:00 p.m.
- Television: NBCSN
- Radio: PRN
New Hampshire Motor Speedway recently launched its Ticket Tuesday Giveaways promotion, running now through Dec. 17, where one winner will be selected each Tuesday for once-in-a-lifetime experiences and cool access that will make the NASCAR weekend even more memorable. For more information on the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 or other events, visit the speedway’s website at NHMS.com or by calling Fan Relations at (603) 783-4931.
NHMS PR
JoJo Siwa D.R.E.A.M. The Tour Comes to Virginia Credit Union LIVE! at Richmond Raceway on Thursday, July 18
11 Dec 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonRichmond Raceway (Richmond) and AEG Presents will welcome JoJo Siwa D.R.E.A.M. The Tour to Virginia Credit Union LIVE! at Richmond Raceway on Thursday, July 18 at 7 p.m. The D.R.E.A.M. tour will bring Siwa’s youthful energy to the stage at the Richmond Raceway Complex and highlight some of her best singles.
Tickets will go on sale to the public online at vaculive.com or in-person at The National Box Office at 708 East Broad Street in Richmond, Va. on Friday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. Virginia Credit Union and RICHMOND NATION members will receive an exclusive pre-sale for the JoJo Siwa concert on Thursday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
JoJo Siwa is a Nickelodeon superstar, YouTube personality, singer, dancer, entrepreneur, social media influencer, New York Times bestselling author and star on Nickelodeon’s Lip Sync Battle Shorties. Siwa connects with her fans through many channels. On social media she has over 8.1 million subscribers with over 1.8 billion views on YouTube, she has over 7.5 million followers on Instagram, over 393,000 Twitter followers, over 17.1 million followers on TikTok (formerly Musical.ly), and almost 500,000 likes on Facebook.
Siwa also connects with her fans through her SIWANATOR club, which stands against negativity and bullying, and her hugely popular singles, “Boomerang,” which has been viewed over 620 million times and is certified platinum, “Kid in a Candy Store,” “Hold The Drama,” and “High Top Shoes.”
In 2016, Nickelodeon and Siwa entered an exclusive licensing partnership to develop a line of consumer products inspired by Siwa. Categories span toys, apparel, accessories, consumer electronics, arts and crafts, cosmetics, home goods, party supplies, Halloween costumes and more. To date, over 35 million signature JoJo Bows have been sold. Siwa’s consumer products are available internationally, including the UK, Canada, Australia and Mexico.
Siwa helped kick off Nickelodeon’s first U.S. SlimeFest event in Chicago in June, a multi-day, sold out music festival for kids and families, where she performed in front of over 24,000 fans. She also performed at Nickelodeon’s SlimeFest UK. She toured Australia with live performances of her most popular songs and fashion parades showcasing her branded products, and also performed at Kids’ Choice Mexico.
In 2018, Siwa launched her first animated shorts series, The JoJo & BowBow Show Show starring Siwa and her furry best friend BowBow. She also works alongside Nick Cannon in Nickelodeon’s hit competition series Lip Sync Battle Shorties. She has also appeared on various Nickelodeon live-action series including School of Rock and The Thundermans.
Siwa performed a medley of hits at Nickelodeon’s 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards, including her triple-platinum smash “Boomerang.” She also won two blimps for Favorite Viral Music Artist in 2017 and Musical YouTube Creator in 2018. This summer, she performed at Nickelodeon’s 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards Mexico. Originally from Omaha, Neb., Siwa lives with her parents, Tom and Jessalynn Siwa, and brother, Jayden, in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Commonwealth Mall at Virginia Credit Union LIVE! will feature concessions, displays, and merchandise on the day of the event, with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. Parking for the event is located in Lot D, at the corner of Laburnum and Carolina Avenues, and can be accessed through Gate 4 on Laburnum Avenue. Parking is $10 cash only for the public and free for Virginia Credit Union members with lots opening at 5:00 p.m.
Virginia Credit Union LIVE! continues to bring top musical acts and superior concert experiences to music fans in the Richmond region. The venue has hosted top national recording artists such as Aerosmith, Sting, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews Band, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant, and Florida Georgia Line.
In addition to its 6,000 covered seats, the venue hosts six permanent private dressing rooms with restrooms and showers attached to the stage as well as two loading docks. There is a separate hospitality building providing a full menu of food and beverage amenities. The backstage area is completely secured with ample room for parking large vehicles and tour buses.
To purchase tickets and learn more about Virginia Credit Union LIVE!, visit vaculive.com or connect on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. To learn more about JoJo Siwa, visit itsjojosiwa.com.
Richmond Raceway PR
KDI Office Technology extends partnership with Dover International Speedway, gains naming rights to Monster Mile’s Infield Media Center
11 Dec 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonKDI Office Technology and Dover International Speedway have reached a five-year partnership extension through 2024, making KDI the official and exclusive business solutions provider to the Monster Mile, and also gaining naming rights to the track’s Infield Media Center.
The KDI Office Technology Media Center at Dover International Speedway, located near the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage inside Turn 1, provides local, regional and national media with a work area while at the track during NASCAR tripleheader weekends. The KDI Office Technology Media Center at Dover International Speedway is used for most press conferences and driver interviews throughout the weekend. KDI Office Technology will serve as the first presenting partner of the media center in the track’s 50 year history.
“This full-fledged sponsorship is a big step in our relationship with Dover and we couldn’t be happier,” says Don Schatzman, KDI President. “We enjoy entertaining our clients at the track and giving them the complete Dover NASCAR experience. Given our long history together, we are so proud to be the first partner in Dover’s history to have our name on the media center. It’s very special and we look forward to many more years of working with the wonderful people at Dover.”
KDI Office Technology is the fastest growing independent office technology provider in the mid-Atlantic region. The family-owned company has six locations in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Dover International Speedway is hosting two NASCAR tripleheader weekends in 2019 on May 3-5 and Oct. 4-6 as it celebrates its 50th anniversary season.
“We’re extremely pleased that KDI Office Technology has extended its partnership agreement with the Monster Mile as we head into an exciting 50th anniversary season,” Dover International Speedway President and CEO Mike Tatoian said. “Dover is a premier venue for mid-Atlantic NASCAR fans, so it was natural to connect with KDI, the office technology leader in the mid-Atlantic region. Together, we look forward to continued success in the future.”
The May 3-5 weekend includes the “JEGS 200” NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race on Friday, May 3, the NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash Race on Saturday, May 4 and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, May 5.
The Oct. 4-6 weekend includes the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race on Friday, Oct. 4, the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff race on Saturday, Oct. 5 and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race on Sunday, Oct. 6. The Oct. 6, 2019 event will be the 100th NASCAR Cup Series race in Dover’s history.
For tickets or more information on Monster Mile events, call (800) 441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com. You can also keep up with track activities at Facebook.com/DoverInternationalSpeedway, or on Twitter and Instagram at @MonsterMile.
Dover Motorsports PR
One of Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s busiest tracks is set for another action-packed schedule in 2019.
The Strip at LVMS will host a total of 68 events in the coming year, including the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals April 5-7 and the NHRA Nevada Nationals Oct. 31-Nov. 3. In addition, the iconic drag strip will host 12 LVMS Bracket Series events, 11 LVMS Jr. Dragsters competitions, a dozen O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhems and eight Open Test-n-Tune sessions.
The Strip also will be the backdrop for NHRA Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events April 12-14 and Nov. 7-10, the NHRA Division 7 ET Finals Oct. 3-6 and the NHRA Division 7 Jr. Finals Sept. 20-22. If that’s not enough, the Spring Fling Million returns April 15-20, Street Car Super Nationals will be back Nov. 19-24, Import Face Off events are set for March 17 and Dec. 15, and the West Coast Hot Rod Association will bring The Battle to The Strip on June 1.
One major format change for the upcoming season involves the O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem program, which will move seven of its 12 sessions from Fridays to Wednesdays in 2019. Mayhem also is returning to its roots, allowing only street-legal vehicles with treaded tires at its dozen sessions. High-performance vehicles equipped with racing slicks can run at eight Friday Open Test-n-Tune sessions that have been added to the calendar.
The “Showcase/Grudge Top 10” class has been eliminated from the Mayhem events, but those vehicles may run during the Friday Test-n-Tunes. The changes are designed to give local racers and car enthusiasts more access to The Strip than ever before, with streamlined track setup and prep allowing drivers to have more passes down the track each night.
The Strip has been named the NHRA Division 7 LODRS Track of the Year for six consecutive years and seven times overall and was honored as the division’s Most Improved Track this year after expanding from two to four lanes. Tickets The Strip’s 2019 NHRA events may be purchased by calling the LVMS ticket office at 800-644-4444 or logging on to www.LVMS.com.
The Strip at LVMS 2019 schedule
January
18--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 1, 6 p.m.–Midnight
19--Open Test-n-Tune No. 1, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
20--Open Test-n-Tune No. 2, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
25--LVMS Bracket Series Test-n-Tune, 2–8 p.m.
26--LVMS Jr. Dragsters Event No. 1, 8 a.m.–Noon
LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 1, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
27--LVMS Jr. Dragsters Event No. 2, 8 a.m.–Noon
LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 2, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
February
1--NHRA Sportsman Test, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
2--NHRA Sportsman Test, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
15--LVMS Bracket Series Test-n-Tune, 3–9 p.m.
16--LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 3, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 4, 2–7 p.m.
17--LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 5, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
22--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 2, 6 p.m.–Midnight
23--LVMS Jr. Dragsters Event No. 3, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
LVMS Jr. Dragsters Event No. 4 1–5 p.m.
March
13--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 3, 6 p.m.–Midnight
15--Open Test-n-Tune No. 3, 4–10 p.m.
16--LVMS Jr. Dragsters Event No. 5, 8 a.m.–Noon
LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 6, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
17--Import Face Off
22--Open Test-n-Tune No. 4, 4–9 p.m.
23--LVMS Jr. Dragsters Event No. 6, 8 a.m.–Noon
LVMS Bracket Series Test-n-Tune, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 7, 3–9 p.m.
24--LVMS Jr. Dragsters Event No. 7, 8–Noon
LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 8, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
April
5–7--DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
11--LODRS Test-n-Tune
12–14--NHRA Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series
15–20--Spring Fling Las Vegas
24--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 4, 6 p.m.–Midnight
26–28--Muscle Cars at The Strip
30–May 2--Frank Hawley School
May
3–5--LS Fest
29--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 5, 6 p.m.–Midnight
31--The Battle Test-n-Tune
June
1--The Battle by WCHRA
21--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 6, 8 p.m.–2 a.m.
July
12--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 7, 8 p.m.–2 a.m.
August
9--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 8, 8 p.m.–2 a.m.
September
4--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 9, 6 p.m.–Midnight
6--Open Test-n-Tune No. 5, 4–10 p.m.
7--LVMS Jr. Dragsters Event No. 8, 8 a.m.–Noon
LVMS Bracket Series Test-n-Tune, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 9, 3–9 p.m.
8--LVMS Jr. Dragsters Event No. 9, 8 a.m.–Noon
LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 10, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
20–22--NHRA Division 7 Jr. Finals
25--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 10, 6 p.m.–Midnight
27--Open Test-n-Tune No. 6, 4–10 p.m.
28--LVMS Jr. Dragsters Event No. 10, 8 a.m.–Noon
LVMS Bracket Series Test-n-Tune, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 11, 3–9 p.m.
29--LVMS Jr. Dragsters Event No. 11, 8 a.m.–Noon
LVMS Bracket Series Event No. 12, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
October
3–6--NHRA Division 7 ET Finals
16--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 11, 6 p.m.–Midnight
18--Open Test-n-Tune No. 7, 4–10 p.m.
31–Nov. 3--NHRA Nevada Nationals
November
6--Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Test
7–10--NHRA Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series
19–24--Street Car Super Nationals
26–Dec. 1--Thanksgiving Bracket Nationals
December
4--O’Reilly Auto Parts Midnight Mayhem No. 12, 6 p.m.–Midnight
14--Open Test n Tune No. 8, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
15--Import Face Off
*Schedule is subject to change. All times are Pacific Time.
LVMS PR
