The final push to Phoenix Raceway launches this weekend in the Neon Garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series will cut the tape on the Round of 8 of the playoffs.
Las Vegas is no stranger to being the center of entertainment, and it will do so again with the sound of engines rolling into town. From television hosts to NHL champions, here is who will be taking it all in this weekend.
TV Broadcast: The Cup Round of 8 kicks off on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Xfinity action will be televised by the USA Network on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Grand Marshal: Fresh off beginning their title defense as NHL Stanley Cup Champions, a pair of Vegas Golden Knights will give the command to start the engines for the South Point 400. Goalie Adin Hill and forward William Carrier will give the command in representation for the team.
Honorary Pace Car Driver: TV personality Nick Cannon receives the honor of driving the pace car prior to the Cup playoff race. Cannon currently hosts The Masked Singer and is the host of The Daily Cannon. Cannon has also served as an actor, comedian, writer, DJ, director and author.
Pre-race Concert: Sugar Ray will perform before the fans prior to the South Point 400. Known for hits such as “Fly” and “Every Morning,” the band will perform songs from their popular era in the 1990s and 200s.
Tim Dugger will perform for fans following the Alsco Uniforms 302.
National Anthem: Country singer Annie Bosko will stage the national anthem for the South Point 400.
Honorary Race Official: Former NFL defensive back Mark McMillian is set to give a grilling demonstration for fans on Oct. 14. He will also be the honorary race official for the South Point 400. As a griller, McMillian has appeared on Gordon Ramsey’s Next Level Chef show. In football, he was a star defender for the University of Alabama, and had 23 career interceptions in seven NFL seasons.
Entering his fifth year with Frontstretch, Luken Glover is the author of The Underdog House, shedding light on the motivation and performance of NASCAR's dark horse teams as they strive to fight to the top. Additionally, Glover reports for the site at various events, and he contributes in the video editing department.
A 2023 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, Glover is a middle school math and PE teacher, as well as a basketball coach. He is passionate about serving in his church, playing/coaching a wide variety of sports, and researching motorsports history.