LVMS president applauds Gordon’s ‘championship qualities’ on, off track
NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon’s announcement Thursday that this will be his final full-time Sprint Cup season probably means his last race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be in March.
Gordon has won four Cup championships and recorded 92 victories, third best of all time.
The Kobalt 400 is March 8 at LVMS.
“While I’m happy for Jeff on making this decision about his future, I also recognize that the sport of NASCAR racing will be losing one of the most talented and dynamic drivers in its rich history,” LVMS president Chris Powell said in a statement. “Jeff Gordon has displayed championship qualities not only on the race track, but also in life. All of us at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he once claimed a million-dollar bonus from Winston, salute Jeff and his stellar career. He’s a champion in every sense of the word.”
COMING BACK
Brian Vickers will make his Cup season debut in Las Vegas.
He will miss the first two races because of surgery Dec. 13 to repair a hole in his heart, and then will compete in the Kobalt 400.
“The doctors gave me a clean bill of health and said I will be better than before,” Vickers said in a statement. “The advancements in modern medicine and surgical procedures are amazing and I have to thank my doctors at the Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute and Carolinas Medical Center for their extraordinary care. I have literally put my life in their hands twice and I cannot begin to express my level of gratitude.”
Vickers, 31, had an artificial patch placed on his heart in 2010. But then he experienced problems last year, creating the need for another procedure.
“Now all of my focus is getting ready so when I return we are prepared to win races and the championship in my Aaron’s Dream Machine,” Vickers said.
RASCAL FLATTS TO SING ANTHEM
Country music group Rascal Flatts will sing the national anthem before the Cup race at LVMS. The group will have a nine-show residency at The Joint inside the Hard Rock from Feb. 25 to March 14.
Rascal Flatts has been honored in the American Country Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards and Country Music Association Awards.
MEET THE KING
The Richard Petty Driving Experience has been a mainstay at the speedway, and now those willing to spend the big bucks can meet the man himself. The Richard Petty Fantasy Camp-Las Vegas is March 8 to 11.
It has openings for 12 slots, and included is a ticket to the suite at the Cup race as well as taking the wheel in various driving events, including a stock car around the 1½-mile track.
The cost is $7,500, which includes accommodations on the Strip. A $500 discount is available for Experience Rewards members.
For information, call 800-237-3889 or visit Drivepetty.com/petty-experiences.
CASH GRAB
Silver State Plumbing is guaranteeing $5,000 to the winner of the E.T. Bracket Series season opener on Feb. 15 at The Strip at LVMS.
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65
