Tim Allen to serve as grand marshal
Allen, who currently stars in the "Last Man Standing" sitcom on ABC-TV on Tuesday nights, will give the command to start engines for the annual race. Allen is a NASCAR fan and will have 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart as his guest on the show tomorrow.
"I love the track, the crowds, the cars – I'm thrilled to be the grand marshal for this NASCAR race in Vegas. To have all those engines roar to life at my command? That's a powerful thing. Hell yes, I'm excited! It's going to be a great day," Allen said.
The 58-year-old Allen boasts a lengthy and successful career in television and motion pictures. He was the star of the hit 1991-1999 sitcom, "Home Improvement" and "The Santa Clause" movie series, to name just two.
NASCAR racing activity starts on Friday, March 9 with Stratosphere Pole Day. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying will begin at 3:40 p.m.
The NASCAR Nationwide Series takes center stage on Saturday, March 10 with the annual Sam's Town 300. Qualifying for the Sam's Town 300 will begin at 10:35 a.m. and the race will start at 2 p.m.
The Kobalt Tools 400 is scheduled to start at noon on Sunday, March 11.
LVMS has added an exciting new feature to this year's NASCAR Weekend: fan access to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers' meeting on Sunday morning. Weather permitting, the pre-race drivers' meeting will be held in the Neon Garage, adjacent to the main stage and fans holding a weekend or Sunday Neon Garage pass are invited to attend.
The race weekend kicks off Wednesday, March 7 with IMCA Modified and West Coast Late Model racing at the recently-resurfaced half-mile Dirt Track. The World of Outlaws Sprint Cars Series will take center stage at the Dirt Track on Thursday, March 8 and will be joined by the 360 Sprint Car Series.