(Photo: LVMS)

Neon Garage

Those words were written the week after Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Neon Garage opened for the 2007 NASCAR Weekend, and the sentiment is shared by many.

The speedway underwent a multi-million dollar renovation project between the 2006 and 2007 events, and the centerpiece of these changes is the Neon Garage.

The Neon Garage provides unprecedented access to race teams and drivers, unique concession areas, live entertainment and the Winner’s Circle. Some have called it “NASCAR Disneyland.”

This area, which is located in the center of the speedway’s infield, allows race fans to watch the drivers and crews of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series from both ground-level and elevated positions.

While the racers are the stars of the show, there is much more to do and see in the Neon Garage. Live entertainment performs continuously on the center stage, except during the races. In 2007 and again in 2008, the world-famous Blue Man Group will perform in the Neon Garage throughout the weekend. In addition, John Stuart Productions will provide some of the world’s best tribute artists from Elvis Presley to Garth Brooks to Tom Jones.

Race fans with Neon Garage passes also get a bird’s eye view of the Winner’s Circle. The winning driver pulls through a gauntlet of race fans and emerges into a stadium-like setting to share his victory with his race team and thousands of fans in the Neon Garage.
Race fans and members of the national media who travel from race to race have sung the praises of the Neon Garage.

“Trust me on this. For fans, it’s really cool with great sight-lines and lots of attractions,” wrote Tom Jensen of FOX Sports.

NASCAR officials have been equally as complimentary of the project.

“I congratulate (LVMS general manager) Chris Powell and Las Vegas Motor Speedway for launching this improvement project,” said NASCAR Chairman Brian France. “The new garage area gives race fans an opportunity to see their favorite drivers close up. The strong relationship between fans and drivers is a NASCAR hallmark, which is alive and well at LVMS.”