Tag Archives: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Stealthy Server Hands Wayne Newton Legal Papers in Las Vegas

Mr. Las Vegas is good, but apparently doesn’t have the skill set to be as sly as a fox.  On Saturday, Newton, who has avoided several process serving attempts in the past, including a convoy of moving vans showing up at his home to claim property to pay alleged debts {previously reported by Las Vegas Backstage Access}, this time was not lucky.  

The legal serving company, reportedly, came up with a novel way to get their foot in the door during Newton’s show at the Tropicana. The process server paid $149.99 for the VIP package to gain entrance to a meet-and-greet session.  He just patiently waited in line to schmooze with Newton, finally greeting him with the words, “Mr. Newton, Las Vegas love you.”  With 20 or so applauding, the process server said, “You are served!” and handed Newton the legal documents, then raced out of the casino, with security guards in hot purist.  They raced through the halls but didn’t catch him. 

Today, Newton’s publicist, Trish McCrone – like any good publicist – is disavowing the incident occurred, merely saying Newton never saw the legal writ or has any idea what it is, saying she thought it just something to autograph. 

The serving company was carry out the clandestine mission on behalf of O. Burton Smith, whose wide-ranging empire of NASCAR tracks includes the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.    Smith contends that Newton is delinquent on a $3.35 million loan and, not receiving payment, then filed suit Feb. 9 in Clark County District Court against Newton, his wife, Kathleen McCrone Newton, their company, Desert Eagle LLC and Newton’s Living Trust. 

Smith seeks immediate foreclosure on the Newton’s 38-acre Casa de Shenandoah ranch in Las Vegas, which the Newtons had put up as a guarantee, alone with their Fokker F28 MK 1000 private jet. 

While unsavory situations on many fronts continue to haunt Newton, he may also soon lose his Las Vegas gig at the Tropicana.   

Jack Wishna, who handled the Tropicana contract for Newton, has confirmed the show, “Once Before I Go,” ends April 24, barring any extension by Alex Yemenidjian, chairman of the Tropicana and godfather of Newton’s daughter, Lauren, who turns eight next month. 

Yemenidjian has previously announced he has plans for a new Tropicana showroom.

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NASCAR Award Ceremonies Planned for Las Vegas

Although some minor details need to be ironed out, it’s almost a done deal that Las Vegas will be the new home to the NASCAR Sprint Cup banquet, awards ceremonies and postseason celebrations in the first week of December, most likely December 4. nascarawards

The event honors the top 10 NASCAR drivers from the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. 

A major event acquisition coup for Las Vegas,  for the past 27 years the prestigious event was held in New York City. 

Planning has been in the works for the past two years by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) president Rossi Ralenkotter and his team.  Speedway Motorsports Inc., owner of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, has lobbied for the event. 

The LVCVA would reportedly pay NASCAR between $500,000 and $1 million for each year of the contract, which may be for three to five years. 

NASCAR would be the second major professional sport to shift its awards ceremony to Las Vegas this year.  Ralenkotter negotiated a three-year deal to bring the NHL awards to the Palms Casino & Hotel on June 18.

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Throttle Up for Drag Racing Action in Las Vegas Starting April 2

It all started in 1951 with one goal:  to simply move hot rod drivers and their sleek gas and nitro-burning beasts off the streets and onto the dragstrip.  The National Hotrod Association (NHRA) was born in Glendora California and after more than 50 years, it continues to be one of the most popular racing programs in the country and is a regular visitor to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. nhra

The NHRA brings the 10th Annual Summit Racing series to the Bullring in Las Vegas April 2 -April 5, 2009.  Qualifying rounds begin on Thursday, April 2 in the Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock categories but there will be more for fans and followers than just a chance to watch the action on the track.  

Three five-man NHRA teams will compete Thursday, April 2 at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships at Cashman Center in Las Vegas. The three teams are special guests of the USBC.  The NHRA Floppers, NHRA Eliminators and the NHRA Holeshots will represent the best of the NHRA bowlers in one of the oldest competitive events in the United States. 

Also, on Thursday, April 2, from 6-8pm there will be a free NHRA driver autograph session in the Key West Room at The Palms Resort and Casino. Currently scheduled to be at the event are Top Fuel point leaders Anton Brown, Funny Car points leader Ron Capps, Pro-Stock 3rd place point driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. and many more.  Fans are invited to come get autographs and take pictures with their favorite drivers. 

The NHRA will be back in Las Vegas October 29 through November 1, 2009 for the Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, also scheduled for the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

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Las Vegas Native Kyle Busch Wins NASCAR Shelby 427 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

For any athlete it’s a dream come true when they have a major win in their hometown.  On Sunday the dream came true for 23-year-old NASCAR racer and Las Vegas native Kyle Busch when he celebrated his first win in six career Sprint Cup starts at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, racing to victory in his Toyota No. 18, sponsored by M&M’s. 

Busch performed his feat with gusto and racing mastery.  Racing before a near capacity 140,000 fervent fans at the speedway, he started deeper in the 43-car field than any of the event’s previous 12 winners. 

“I tell you what, this is pretty cool,” the Durango High School graduate said.  “I don’t exactly what it would mean but coming to the checkered flag, there were knots in my stomach.  It’s bigger than winning the Daytona 500.” 

After winning the race, Busch kneeled at the finishing line and kissed the track.

 It was Busch’s first Cup win of the season, and the 12th in 153 races.

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NASCAR Roars into Las Vegas

NASCAR weekend in Las Vegas is almost here!  The Las Vegas Motor Speedway is known as a complete racing nascarcomplex with road courses, a 3/8 mile oval, dirt track and drag racing facilities.  The fans will be there once again on Saturday, February 28 for the Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300 and on Sunday March 1 for the NASCAR Cup Series Shelby 427. 

The NASCAR Cup series has been making a yearly appearance at the Speedway since 1998 when Mark Martin took home the trophy.    The winners list from past years includes Jeff Gordon, Sterling Marlin and Jimmie Johnson as well as Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth – who have both won two Cup races in Las Vegas. 

Local police have warned all race fans to avoid driving to the Speedway via I-15 due to construction.  The DOT road widening project is expected to only further complicate the normally hectic traffic.   To avoid the weekend traffic jam, try attending the Las Vegas Super Sprint Classic held on the Dirt Track on Wednesday February 25 or the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and Bullring Bombers event on Thursday, February 26.

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