Go Las Vegas Baby!

It’s NASCAR week in Las Vegas and with each passing season, the stars and cars leave a bigger tire print on Sin City. The 2009 Sprint Cup season culminated with the annual awards banquet at Mandalay Bay where Jimmie Johnson was honored for his history making fourth consecutive title.

Once again the NASCAR haulers will parade down The Strip but this year’s starting time has been shifted to 6 pm, so for the first time the spectacle will take place with a neon light backdrop. The parade starts just south of Russell Road and will proceed north to Sahara Ave before catching I-15 N to the speedway.

Las Vegas’ own Kyle Busch will defend last year’s Sprint Cup Victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday while big bro’ Kurt seeks to snag hometown bragging rights for himself.

Saturday’s activities feature the Nationwide Series race….and yes, Danica Patrick will be there. In fact, to commemorate her “Sam’s Town 300 debut,” Las Vegas Motor Speedway is holding an online contest. The “Danica’s Win-Ten-Ten” is worth $10,010 to the winner if Danica Patrick finishes in the top 10 in the Sam’s Town 300. To enter, visit the speedway website and click on the appropriate icon.

It’s a short trek from California Speedway, where Johnson won last week’s Cup race, so expect plenty of NASCAR driver sightings all week and a good number of organized events designed to get you up close and personal with the stars.

Race Events

Feb 26 – On track activities include Nationwide Series practice Cup Series practice and qualifying.

Feb 27 – On track activities include Cup Series practice, Nationwide Series qualifying and the Sam’s Town 300 Nationwide Series race.

Feb 28 – Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race

More ticket information.

Charity Fundraisers

Feb 25 – Martin Truex, Jr. Foundation’s No-Limit Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament – Monte Carlo Resort & Casino. $225 to play. Free to watch. Noon.

Feb 25 – Dale Earnhardt Foundation Poker Tournament – Stratosphere Hotel & Casino. Scheduled to play are Aric Almirola, Tommy Baldwin, Mike Bliss, Todd Bodine, Matt Crafton, Kerry Earnhardt, Danny Efland, Scott Lagasse, Jr, Casey Mears, Eric McClure, Andy Ponstein, Kirk Shelmerdine, Regan Smith and Kenny Wallace. Spectator tickets are $20. 4 pm.

Feb 25 – 12th Annual AutoTrader.com NASCAR Driver Auction – Sam’s Town Live! – Up for auction are Greg Biffle, Bobby Labonte, David Ragan and Kyle Petty. Silent auction, appearance by Home Improvement TV star Mickey Jones and music by Skid Rodeo. Admission is $20. 5 pm.

Driver Appearances

Feb 25 – 2 pm-4 pm – Raybestos Rookie Cooking Competition – ESPN Zone at New York, New York. Scheduled to participate: Terry Cook, Kevin Conway and others TBA. Free to watch.

Feb 25 – 4 pm-6 pm -Tony Stewart will be at the Office Depot at 1435 W Craig Rd.

Feb 25 – 4 pm – Brad Keselowski will be at the Discount Tire at 6565 E Lake Mead Blvd.

Feb 25 – 5:30 pm – Kasey Kahne will be at the PT’s at I-215 & Decatur Blvd.

Feb 25 – 6 pm – Kurt Busch will be at Pole Position Raceway at 4175 S Arville. 6 pm.

Feb 25 – 6:30 pm-7:30 p.m. – David Reutimann will be at the Sahara Hotel & Casino inside the NASCAR Cafe.

Feb 25 – 6:30 pm-8:30 pm – Kyle Busch will be at M&M’s World on the Strip.

Feb 25 – 7 pm-9 p.m. – Matt Kenseth will sign autographs for the first 175 fans to show up at Mandalay Bay.

Feb 25 – 8 pm-9 p.m. – Trevor Bayne will be at the Sahara Hotel & Casino inside the NASCAR Café.

Feb 26 – 7 pm – Steven Wallace and Brendan Gaughan will meet and greet fans in the South Point Casino lobby with a special appearance by Rusty Wallace.

Feb 26 – 7 pm-9 pm – Bobby Labonte and Terry Cook will sign autographs at the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino.

Feb 26 – 7 pm-8 pm – Trevor Bayne (7-7:30 pm) and Michael McDowell ( 7:30-8pm) will be at The Pub at the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino.

Feb 26 – 8:15 pm-9:15 pm – Kurt Busch will be at Bally’s Hotel & Casino inside the Indigo Lounge.

Feb 26 – 9 pm – Driver autograph session at the Stratosphere features Stanton Barrett, Mike Bliss, Dave Blaney, Johnny Chapman, Terry Cook, Danny Efland, Shelby Howard, Brian Keselowski, Scott Lagasse, Jr, Andy Ponstein, Robert Richardson, Jr., Boris Said, Dennis Setzer, Morgan Shepherd, Chrissy Wallace and Josh Wise.

Feb 26 – 9 pm-10 pm – Kyle Busch will be signing autographs and raffling off gear in the Hard Rock Store at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Feb 27 – 5 pm – Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman will be recognized in the Legends of the Sport series presented by The Venetian and The Palazzo. The event will take place at Lagasse’s Stadium with a Q&A session and meet and greet with both drivers. Tickets are $89.

Feb 27 – 5:30 pm-6 pm – Marcos Ambrose will be at the Pub at the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino.

Feb 27 – 6:30 pm-7:30 pm – Joey Logano will be signing autographs and raffling off gear in the Hard Rock Store at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Show Car Displays

TBA – No. 17 Crown Royal Ford driven by Matt Kenseth – Albertson’s (W Flamingo).

Feb 23-25 – No. 17 Ford driven by Matt Kenseth – Mandalay Bay

Feb 25 – No. 47 car driven by Marcos Ambrose – Monte Carlo casino floor

Feb 26 – No. 17 Ford driven by Matt Kenseth – Studio Walk at the MGM Grand.

Feb 26 – 5 pm – No. 20 Toyota driven by Joey Logano – Home Depot (Lamb Blvd & E Charleston).

After Parties

Feb 22-28 – Fremont Street Experience – 2010 Race Jam – Free entertainment includes Jimmie Ray’s Johnny Cash Tribute nightly at 8-11 pm on the 1st Street Stage, The Jay Bolan Band at 5:30-8:30 pm and Foghat at 9-11 pm, both on the 3rd Street Stage.

Feb 25-28 – Las Vegas Country Saloon – Fremont Street – Entertainment by Southern Stue (Feb 25 & 28) and Marshal Reign (Feb 26-27). Free bull rides with any purchase.

The opening and closings keep on comin’ in Las Vegas and this weekend, we’ve got one of each.

Pablo McFadden’s at the Rio – and appropriately enough, located adjacent to McFadden’s -  celebrates its grand opening Thurs., Feb. 19 through Saturday, Feb. 20 with Mexican beear, tequila and margarita specials including souvenir 92 oz fish bowls and yard glasses. Music by Caribbean Steel and the Hot Tamales perform nightly. We, too, are wondering what prompts an Irish Pub to expand south of the border but their slogan is “So authentic you can’t drink the water,” so it must be good.

This weekend marks the final one for Hawaiian Tropic Zone over at the Miracle Mile Shops. They’ll close the doors on Sunday after a little over two years in operation.

Free Admission with Cheap Eats

Big Dog’s – All locations – $3 drink specials. Prize bonanza.

Feelgoods Rock Bar & Grill – W Sahara – Free popcorn. $3 domestic beers, $4 imported beers, $3 Bloody Marys and mimosas. Party starts at noon. 702-220-8849.

Gold Coast – Arizona Nevada, Nevada Ballroom – $2 Coors Light and more.

Las Vegas Hilton – Hilton Theater – Football Central – $1 hot dogs and $2 Miller beers.

Little Darlings – Western Ave – $2 Red Bull drinks, complimentary buffet, $1 dances at halftime. 702-366-1141.

OG – Las Vegas Blvd – Super Sunday 2010 – $25 for VIP seating. Prizes.

The Orleans – Bourbon Street Lounge (11 am), Brendan’s Irish Pub (12:30 pm). $1 hot

South Point – Grand Ballroom, Napa Ballroom, The Showroom – Special appearance by Fred Biletnikoff , David Humm and Jack Tatum. $1 hot dogs, $3 Bud/Bud Light and more.

Some Booze included in Ticket Price

Bally’s – Indigo Lounge – Tailgate Buffet – $65 includes food plus 2 Miller products. NFL player appearance TBA. Tickets available at the Bally’s Box Office.

Flamingo – Burger Joint & Sports Bar – $44 includes food plus 2 pitchers of Miller or Coors draft during the first half. Half-time appearance by football celebrity TBA. 702-733-3111

Paris – Le Burger Brasserie – Tailgate Buffet – $75 includes food plus 2 Miller products, commemorative t-shirt and entry for memorabilia giveaway. NFL player appearance TBA.

Paris – Napoleon’s Lounge – Tailgate Buffet – $65 includes food plus 2 Miller products. NFL player appearance TBA. Tickets available at the Paris Box Office.

Open Bar included in Ticket Price

Bootlegger Italian Bistro – Boot Bowl – $50 includes buffet, beer and well drinks. 702-736-4939.

Miracle Mile – Blondies Sports Bar & Grill – $200 includes open bar (selected beers and top shelf liquors) and buffet.  702-737-0444.

Miracle Mile – Cabo Wabo Cantina – $150 open bar and buffet. Party hosted by UFC legend Wanderlei Silva and starts 45 minutes before kickoff. 702-385-2226

Mirage – Rhumbar – $100. Includes food, Stoli cocktails and Miller Lite bottled beers. Party starts 1 hour before kickoff. 702-792-7615.

Rio – McFadden’s – Ticket includes top shelf open bar from kick-off to end of game and halftime buffet. Call Stephanie at 702-270-6200 for ticket inquiries.

Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub – Imperial Palace – $125 includes buffet, draft beers and well drinks. 702-683-1388

Steiners – All 3 locations – $150 includes food and drinks. ($50 for seating reservation only). Walk-ins are welcome to watch the game for free with regular purchases but seating is limited. 702-395-8777, 702-304-8084 or 702-214-6700.

Wynn Las Vegas - Blush Nightclub –- $100 (limited number available).  Tables: $500-$5,000. Call 702-770-3353

Minimum Food and Beverage Purchase Required

Aria - Union Restaurant & Lounge – $75 food & beverage minimum. Click here for reservation.

Bellagio – Fix Restaurant – $100 food & beverage minimum. Click here for reservation.

Mirage – Brand Steakhouse – $150 food & beverage minimum. Click here for reservation.

Mirage – Stack – $75 food & beverage minimum. Click here for reservation.

Monte Carlo – Diablo’s Cantina – $75 food & beverage minimum. Click here for reservation.