Race-car driver Brendan Gaughan offers entertainment tips for visitors
NASCAR driver and Las Vegas native Brendan Gaughan welcomes a homecoming this weekend when the stock car racing circuit returns to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the third race of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Gaughan hopes to use his "home field advantage" in the Nationwide Series Sam's Town 300 race on Saturday and the Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 400 on Sunday, both at the speedway.
Gaughan, 36, was the 2002 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year and finished fourth in the World Truck Series standings in 2003.
He and his wife, Tatum, have a son, Michael. In addition to racing, Gaughan enjoys snow skiing, scuba diving and basketball.
Gaughan offers a few entertainment tips to the thousands of out-of-town fans and his fellow competitors who will visit Las Vegas this weekend:
■ Favorite casual restaurant: Capo's Steakhouse, 5675 W. Sahara Ave (702-364-2276, caposrestaurant.com). "This is a great place to get all of my friends together and enjoy the best Italian restaurant in Las Vegas."
■ Favorite fast-food restaurant: Farm Basket, 6148 W. Charleston Blvd. (farmbasketchicken.com). "Hands down the best french fries you can find."
■ Favorite upscale restaurant: Michael's at South Point, one of his team sponsors, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South (702-796-7111, southpointcasino.com/dining/michaels.php) "Best steaks in town. Located in the South Point, it's a great place to grab some food and take a break from the casino."
■ Favorite nightclub: Drai's, 3595 Las Vegas Blvd. South (702-737-0555, draislasvegas.com). "Drai's is the original club of Las Vegas and my favorite place to chill out after hours with my friends."
■ Favorite outdoor recreation spot: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 20 miles west of Las Vegas off Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159. "I love to go hiking out here and it is a good way to escape the city for a couple of hours."
