For the first time this season, the NASCAR Cup Series drivers and teams will race outside the state of Florida. This week sees them head west for Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The first of a two-race swing on the west coast begins Sunday at the 1.5-mile track. The Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube will be the fourth race of the 2021 season.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Overview
Las Vegas Motor Speedway origianlly opened as a road course and drag strip in 1972. The track added a 1.5-mile oval track in 1996. The first NASCAR event held at the track was a Truck Series race that November. The first NASCAR Cup Series race was held in 1998 and won by Mark Martin.
Since 1998, the NASCAR Cup Series has held at least one race at the track every season. Since 2018, LVMS has hosted two races each season with a fall playoff race joining the spring Pennzoil 400 event. Jimmie Johnson has the most all-time wins at Las Vegas of any driver with four. Brad Keselowski has the most among the active drivers with three, including two in the spring race.
IndyCar No Longer Runs at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway also used to host the IndyCar Series until one tragic moment. On October 16, 2011, the IndyCar Series was running their final race of the season at the track. On lap 11, a huge crash collected Dan Wheldon. Wheldon would tragically lose his life in the wreck. Open-wheel IndyCar hasn’t been back to LVMS since.
NASCAR Cup Series| Weekend Racing Schedule
Bucked Up 200
Series: NASCAR Gander Outdoor Trucks
Date: Friday, March 5, 2021
Start Time: 9 P.M. EST
Coverage: FS1
Distance: 200 miles
Laps: 134
Alsco Uniforms 300
Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series
Date: Saturday, March 6, 2021
Start Time: 4:30 P.M. EST
Coverage: FS1
Distance: 300 miles
Laps: 200
Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Date: Sunday, March 7, 2021
Start Time: 3:30 P.M. EST
Coverage: FOX
Distance: 400 miles
Laps: 267
