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.
About the author
Luken Glover joined the Frontstretch team in 2020 as a contributor, furthering a love for racing that traces back to his earliest memories. Glover inherited his passion for racing from his grandfather, who used to help former NASCAR team owner Junie Donlavey in his Richmond, Va. garage. A 2023 graduate from the University of the Cumberlands, Glover is the author of "The Underdog House," contributes to commentary pieces, and does occasional at-track reporting. Additionally, Glover enjoys working in ministry, coaching basketball, playing sports, and karting.
A daily email update (Monday through Friday) providing racing news, commentary, features, and information from Frontstretch.com
We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.