Hauler parade, free NASCAR test session kick off Vegas NASCAR Weekend;

Race start times also set for Kobalt 400, Boyd Gaming 300

The annual parade of haulers down the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and a free day of NASCAR Sprint Cup testing will kick off the annual NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway beginning Wednesday, March 5.

The hauler parade will start at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5 on the south end of the Strip. It will proceed north to Sahara Avenue before heading north on Interstate 15 to the speedway. On Thursday, the NASCAR Sprint Cup teams will be testing the new rules package from noon to 4 p.m. The grandstands and Neon Garage will be open for free to all race fans.

“These are two great fan events to start the race weekend,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “The hauler parade has brought thousands of fans to the Strip to watch the team transporters make their way to the speedway. The test session will be very vital for the teams as they prepare for both the Kobalt 400 and the remaining superspeedway races.”

The speedway also is planning on having a question and answer session on Thursday following the test session with several of the Sprint Cup drivers.

Starting times have also been set for the race weekend. The Kobalt 400 will begin at noon Pacific Time on Sunday, March 9, the Boyd Gaming NASCAR Nationwide race is set for 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 and gates open for Stratosphere Pole Day at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 7. There also will be two nights of World of Outlaws action on the dirt track on March 6. Tickets for all races as well as Neon Garage passes, Lucky 7 parking and driver introduction passes are available at www.lvms.com or by calling 1-800-644-4444.

Schedule for 2014 NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Wednesday, March 5

5 p.m. – Gates open at Dirt Track for World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars.

6 p.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series hauler parade on Las Vegas Blvd.

Thursday, March 6 – Free grandstand admission. Ticket Gate C and Neon Garage open at 11:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m. – Ticket Gate C and Neon Garage opens.

Noon-4 p.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series KOBALT 400 practice.

5 p.m. – Gates open at Dirt Track for World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars.

5 p.m. – Doors open for Speedway Children’s Charities NASCAR Driver Auction at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall. Auction starts at 6 p.m.

7 p.m. – Neon Garage closes.

Friday, March 7 – Stratosphere Pole Day Ticket Gates, Neon Garage and VIP suites open at 10:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m. – Ticket gates, VIP suites and Neon Garage opens.

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series KOBALT 400 practice.

12:40-1:30 p.m. – NASCAR Nationwide Series Boyd Gaming 300 practice.

2 p.m.-3:25 p.m. – NASCAR Nationwide Series Boyd Gaming 300 final practice.

3:35 p.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Stratosphere Pole Day qualifying for KOBALT 400.

5:30 p.m. – Neon Garage closes.

6-8 p.m. – Kobalt Kampout RV Appreciation Party in the Neon Garage.

Saturday, March 8 – Boyd Gaming 300 Ticket gates open at 8 a.m.

8 a.m. – Ticket gates, Neon Garage and VIP suites open.

8:30-9:25 a.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series KOBALT 400 practice.

9:35 a.m. – NASCAR Nationwide Series Boyd Gaming 300 qualifying.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series KOBALT 400 final practice.

12:40 p.m. – NASCAR Nationwide Series driver introductions.

1:15 p.m. – NASCAR Nationwide Series Boyd Gaming 300 (200 laps, 300 miles).

4 p.m. – Neon Garage closes.

5-7 p.m. – Richard Petty Driving Experience rides.

Sunday, March 9 – KOBALT 400 Ticket gates open at 7 a.m.

7 a.m. – Ticket gates, Neon Garage and VIP suites open.

8:30-9:30 a.m. – Speedway Children’s Charities Track Walk.

10 a.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and crew chief meeting (Neon Garage).

11:30 a.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series KOBALT 400 driver introductions.

Noon – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series KOBALT 400 (267 laps, 400.5 miles).

5 p.m. – Neon Garage closes

 * Schedule is subject to change.