The Boyz are Back!

This week Las Vegas got an extra treat, the boyz of NASCAR are back!  The top 12 drivers of the NASCAR Sprint Series paraded up and down Las Vegas Boulevard for one last victory lap on Thursday.  It wasn’t well publicized locally, but the fans were out in full force and so were we.  It didn’t take long for the city sidewalks to become crowded with fans and on lookers.

One of the best viewing spots for the victory lap was the two authentic pit stops on the boulevard.  The above shot is the pit stop at the Bellagio, drivers took turns stopping and the crowd got an up close and personal view of what happens at a race in real time.  But the very best spot turned out to be the corner of Spring Mountain and the Boulevard.  This is where 4 time champion Jimmy Johnson did his victory burn out.

Jimmy did such a good job on the victory burn out that he hit the curb, and blew out the engine in his car!

No worries though, officials quickly loaded up the number 48 on a flat bed and put the champ on the back of the Sprint car.

And the parade continued.  It was great being on the street for this event.  The sound of a stock car engine has always gotten my adrenaline going but the sound of the fans cheering on their favorite car and driver was even better.  Below are some of my favorites…

So Thursdays Victory Lap was for the fans, but Fridays Awards Dinner was for the insiders.  Lucky for you guys Mark and I managed to score a couple of credentials and mingle with the in crowd.  The awards dinner is a black tie affair held at the Wynn.  Mark and I got all gussied up and headed over…I’m the one wearing lipstick.

One of the first things we did was to find the champion in the trophy room.  Here he was posing with the Sprint Cup Trophy, his crew chief; Chad Knaus and team owner Rick Hendrick.

Once we saw the winners and the trophy up close it was time to go and find some fun.  Mark found the Sprint Lounge that was filled with all kinds of electronic toys and demos.  Thought I would never get him out of there!  Then we found the Sprint car.  The talented people at the Wynn were able to get this full stock car out on the patio next to the pool.  You know I just had to do my best Sprint Girl impression and pose with the car!

Next it was time for the red carpet.  (That should explain the shoes I was wearing, I don’t shoot in heels!)  The top 12 drivers and team owners walked the red carpet in their black tie attire.  I thought it would be hard to recognize the guys with out their fire suits but I was wrong.  All were handsome and well behaved for the red carpet.  Many of the drivers have beautiful wives/girl friends that can put a buckle bunny to shame!

Jeff Gordon and wife.

Some of the guys flew solo for the night like Casey Kahne seen above.  Girls, he’s better looking in person but my big thrill of the night come from this guy…

Michael Waltrip.  That’s right I like the old school drivers, and this one made my night.  While shooting the red carpet event he stopped right in front of me and asked me to take a picture of him with his phone!  Of course I said yes!  He handed me the phone and told me all I had to do was push the button.  I told him “you drive the car I will take the pictures”.  They don’t all me Sazzy for nothing!  He laughed and thanked me for pictures.  It was a great night, well worth putting a dress on for!  You can see more photos of the victory lap and the awards dinner red carpet over at The Vegas Tourist’s Flickr site, http://www.flickr.com/photos/thevegastourist/