Pre-race Festivities for the Shelby American Sprint Cup race started early in the morning, there is always something going on somewhere and there is a lot to see and do. You have mini concerts going on, fans milling around the garage, crews pushing their cars through final inspection, etc. NASCAR and Sponsors do a lot at these events to keep people entertained and give them their money worth before the event takes the green. There is something for everyone and at LVMS the fan interaction is incredible, the Neon Garage is an extension into the heart of the garage; while you still have limited access you can still get pretty darn close to the drivers and crews.
Jimmie Johnson's sunglasses reflect his crew chief Chad Knaus and their race car
(left to right) Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus and Chandra Johnson
Scott Speed waiting for driver intros
The ageless Mark Martin
fan mobbing Carl Edwards for his autograph
Max Papis backstage waiting for driver intros
NASCAR President, Mike Helton
Michael Waltrip on pit road NOT singing "NAPA know how"
Phil Parsons doing his imitation of "There's Something About Mary"
Juan Pablo signing autographs before driver intros
Jimmie Johnson making his way to the driver intro stage
a HUGE oversized Target shopping kart used for promotion
a ground hog shot of pit road before the event starts
Pre Race "mini concert"
Las Vegas Motor Speedway staff on stilts with a birds eye view of the Fan Area in the garage
Hermie Sadler, part time racer, full time pit road reporter
Eventual winner, Jimmie Johnson's car in the garage area
Crews of Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin navigate through a crowded garage area on their way to final inspection
Believe it or not, Dale Jr is the ONLY NASCAR Sprint Cup driver from the state of North Carolina.
Dale Jr National Guard car, Las Vegas
Mark Martin's Go Daddy entry, Las Vegas
Chad Knaus inspects Jimmie Johnson’s axle one last time before they roll out, Hendricks Motorsports has been plagued with axle trouble this year.
To watch Chad crawl over Jimmie's car is neat to watch, might explain their success
Retired Legends of the sport, Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson sign autograph for fans in the Neon Garage.
Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson sign autographs for race fans
These guys are from the West Coast version of the Spaz-o-matics, nerds playing 80’s songs… Hilarious!
Two members for the Spaz-o-Matics ham it up for the camera
I watched this lady hang around Dale’s hauler for a long time, my guess is she had a message for Jr.
Dale Jr's future wife? Dream on lady
It’s a busy place to be and TV personalities are on the prowl to catch the drivers we all watch every weekend before they climb into their cars.
Wendy Venturini, on air, talking about how creative fans can be to attract drivers for their autograph
Fox and Speed TV's Steve Burns
Legendary car designer Carol Shelby, sponsor of this weekends event “The Shelby American”
Carroll Shelby, title sponsor of this weekends event
Miss Sprint Cup Monica Palumbo is a former Miss North Carolina….. you’ll see her in victory lane smiling as she gets sprayed with Champaign.
Monica Palumbo, Miss Sprint Cup rarely speaks on camera but can always be seen with her beautiful smile
Well known and famous Prop Comedian…. Carrot Top!
Carrot Top
Robert Butterfield - Butterfield Photography - Sierra Vista, Arizona
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