All about 2025 NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

NASCAR Weekend is taking over Las Vegas this March. Check out everything you need to know, from its dates to where to stay and when the event will be back.

Las Vegas’ connection to the car world is deep and storied, and a lot of it is tied up in Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This enormous racetrack hails back to 1996, when it finished construction and opened for business. The rest is, as they say, history. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, more commonly known as NASCAR, has been using the 1.5-mile-long track since, but that’s not its only use. Each year, thousands of EDM music fanatics gather at the Electric Daisy Carnival and enjoy live music, plenty of dancing, and an overall colorful experience, though this is only one of many Nevada festivals you should put on your 2025 calendar.

According to the venue’s website, Las Vegas Motor Speedway can seat up to 123,000 attendees, making it a particularly expansive racetrack. It also has a massive media center that spans 60,000 square feet. Some of this space has come through renovations, such as a sprawling garage area being implemented in 2006 (via NASCAR 101). Altogether, it’s a formidable venue to navigate, especially on your first visit. This is why we’re gathering everything you need to know ahead of Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s big upcoming NASCAR Weekend.

What and when is the 2025 NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas?

For starters, let’s break down exactly what’s happening in Las Vegas this month. On the weekend of Friday, March 14, to Sunday, March 16, NASCAR Weekend will be officially underway in Sin City, with many famous drivers descending upon the city in hopes of winning a race at the iconic Las Vegas Motor Speedway. More specifically, three events will be held: the Pennzoil 400 (a NASCAR Cup Series race presented by Jiffy Lube), the LiUNA NASCAR Xfinity Series race, and the Ecosave 200 (a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race). The Ecosave 200 is slated for 6 p.m. PST on March 14, while The LiUNA is set for 1:30 p.m. on March 15, and the Pennzoil 400 will electrify the racetrack at 12:30 p.m. PST on March 16.

Watching the races is a great time, but it’s only half of the fun. Food and merchandise vendors will be set up throughout the weekend, and there are always opportunities to see your favorite racers outside of their brightly colored cars. It’s a real who’s-who event for NASCAR fans and drivers alike, and it’s even more fun when you remember that the rest of Vegas is your oyster after the festivities are over each day. You can hit up a casino, an arcade, or even that trendy restaurant you’ve seen a thousand and one times on TikTok.

Are tickets still available for the NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas, and can kids come?

Okay, so you’ve decided you want to attend this March’s NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and now you’re wondering if tickets are still available. In short, yes, there are some available! Tickets are purchasable through Ticketmaster, which can be accessed directly through Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s website. At the time of writing, remaining tickets appear to peak at $269 for weekend tickets and $164 for single-day tickets.

Parents, rejoice—your children can come with you to NASCAR Weekend, and for pretty cheap! As previously discussed, there are three main races throughout the weekend, and kids get to enter the Friday and Saturday races for free. The only race that requires a paid ticket for children is the main event—Sunday’s Pennzoil 400—but the good news is that it’s only $10 per child. These admissions are good for children under 13 years of age, and they’re limited to two children for each adult with a ticket.

Where to stay during March’s NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas

If you’re attending NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas but aren’t from the area or know anyone in the city, you’ll need somewhere reliable to stay, and there are two main options. The first is fun, albeit nontraditional. Las Vegas Motor Speedway has four lots dedicated to RV camping, so you could literally live at the racetrack for the weekend if you so preferred. The venue’s website even notes that you have the option to view the races from your RV, though parking it at the campground and getting actual seats is also perfectly valid. The RV route comes with a bevy of perks that range from electric, sewer, and electric hookups and 24/7 security to revitalizing showers and fresh ice.

Of course, RV camping isn’t for everyone, and that’s completely fair. Thankfully, there are several hotels with great reviews nearby. First, the Motel 6 Las Vegas, NV – Motor Speedway is directly across the street from Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This motel has a clean 4-star rating on Google, and with its affordable prices, especially compared to the luxurious hotels on The Strip, it’s a steal. (Seriously, they start at $75 a night at the time of writing.)

For a more upscale hotel, consider the Cannery Casino & Hotel, which is located only a short jaunt down  I-15 from Las Vegas Motor Speedway and boasts a 4.1-star Google rating. One of the perks of staying here is that there are a few restaurants, including lowkey options like Steak ‘N Shake and more indulgent options like Carve Prime Rib, on-site. This takes the hassle out of crafting your itinerary, as you’ll already have places to eat, though we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to check out some trendier eateries around town during your stay. Rates here start at $123 at the time of writing, so you won’t be breaking the bank with either of these hotel options.

What is the parking situation like at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during NASCAR Weekend?

We know that RVs have easy access to camping lots, but what about cars? Is there enough parking, and how much does it cost? These are fair questions, and they thankfully have quick, easy, and reassuring answers (at least for our bank accounts).

The venue is largely surrounded by parking lots to accommodate its 10s of thousands of attendees, so you shouldn’t have a hard time parking—even if it might take a few minutes to get into a spot due to traffic around the venue. The best advice we can offer is to get to the venue as early as you can on all three days, as Vegas traffic is notoriously slow and the venue is attracting so many people. What’s more, parking at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is free, per its FAQ page. Between the free parking, the reasonable entry tickets, and affordable hotel options, this is one event that’s surprisingly doable without taking out a second mortgage on your home.

If you rely on ride-share services like Uber or Lyft, follow one Redditor’s advice of scheduling out your evening ride back to your hotel in the morning so that you’re more likely to be guaranteed a driver, as trying to search for a driver in real time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the evenings is chaotic.

An aerial photo shows the expansive Las Vegas Motor Speedway, including its ample parking that surrounds the venue, during NASCAR Weekend 2011. (Tom Donoghue/CC BY-SA 2.0)

Can you bring drinks into Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and what food will be served during NASCAR Weekend?

Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a sprawling racetrack and venue, and because of this, you should have no trouble finding food throughout NASCAR Weekend. But first, a couple of ground rules: According to the racetrack’s FAQ page, no coolers are allowed to enter the venue, and only one non-alcoholic bevvie can be carried onto the premises to watch the race. Just make sure it’s not in a glass container or over 64 oz., as it will then be impermissible. 

Instead, you will need to purchase food and drinks at one of the many concession stands dotted around the venue. The FAQ page notes that special events, like NASCAR Weekend, typically see joints that specialize in barbecue, pizza, and more pop up to feed the masses. The traditional concession stands will also be open and offer classic match-day fare.

After a November 2024 visit, one Yelp reviewer said, “[There are a] plethora of food options. The smash burgers at Robert Irvine’s are a highly recommend!” Another said, “Food and beer were on par with any big time sports venue. There were a lot of places to get food and beverages.” The general consensus seems to be that the food at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is overpriced but serviceable, so each attendee can make their own judgment about whether splurging on it is worth it or not.

Are bags allowed inside Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and what should you bring with you for NASCAR Weekend?

Bags of all types are permitted to enter Las Vegas Motor Speedway so long as they’re 18x18x14 inches in size or smaller. This means that purses, backpacks, fanny packs, and any other travel essentials can be carried with you if they fit in that size parameter. What’s more, they don’t have to be clear, but folks with clear bags will be allowed to enter the venue sooner than those with non-clear bags. Still, every bag will be searched by security, even if it’s clear. You can bring up to two bags.

When it comes to NASCAR Weekend essentials, we’re mostly focused on sun protection, especially since food and drinks aren’t allowed in the venue. You might think that March will be cool and that you don’t need to wear sunscreen in the early spring, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. We recommend bringing a sunscreen with an SPF level of at least 60 and reapplying it every two hours at minimum. Moreover, bringing a baseball cap with you can help you shield your head and face from excess sun damage during long hours in the stands. A portable hand lotion would be the perfect cherry on top to keep your hands, arms, and legs moisturized (if you opt for shorts, which you might since Vegas temperatures hover in the 70s in March, on average). 

Las Vegas Motor Speedway isn’t skimping on the merch for NASCAR Weekend

If you’re someone who operates under the motto that you need a souvenir of every big event you attend, we’re with you—and so is Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The venue’s website is completely updated for NASCAR Weekend, including displaying a smattering of merchandise that will be available for purchase in the on-site gift shop. Note, however, that the gift shop is only open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, so if you want to browse, you’ll need to do so on the first day of the event.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway gift shop has gone all out for NASCAR Weekend. In the gift shop, you’ll find T-shirts, flags, hats, car decals, and more related to the event, as well as general merchandise for the venue itself, ranging from clothing and plushes to children’s books and blankets—all car-themed, of course. Much of the merchandise is in neutral colors like gray, white, and black, but there are some colorful options for those who prefer a little extra pizzazz in their attire. For example, the LVMS Ladies Race Life Hoodie is a lovely deep pink and looks quite comfortable to boot. The pricing is comparable with other big events, like concerts, with T-shirts landing in the $30 to $40 range and hoodies reaching $60. 

The best part, if you ask us, is that all of the merch is available for purchase online. If you can’t make it to the event, ordering a T-shirt could be a special way to still feel connected to it.

Check out this muscle-car factory after NASCAR Weekend for even more automotive fun in Las Vegas

NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is endless fun, but if you’re looking to either elongate the fun or fill some time after one of the event’s races, you should consider checking out the Shelby Heritage Center. Shelby American is a car fixture in Sin City, and you can tour its facilities for free, though there’s also a paid option that comes with a tour guide and swag bag. Inside, you’ll see gorgeous cars on display, often with some hoods open for closer inspection. You can even see automotive professionals in action, constructing cars before your very eyes. This is one of our favorite factory tours in Nevada, and luckily, the Shelby Heritage Center is less than a 40-minute drive from Las Vegas Motor Speedway depending on the time of day.

Cars lined up inside the Shelby Heritage Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Felix Wong/CC BY 4.0)

Will there be another NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas in 2025?

If you can’t make it to Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s NASCAR Weekend this March, don’t fret: Sin City will be home to a second NASCAR Weekend in 2025, but you will have to wait several months for it. This fall, once Vegas’ searing summer sun has fully come and gone, NASCAR’s best drivers will once again duke it out on Saturday, October 11, and Sunday, October 12. According to the racetrack’s website, the Focused Health 302 race is slated for 4:30 p.m. PST on October 11, while the South Point 400 race will take off at 2:30 p.m. on October 12. Tickets for October are already on sale, so why not give yourself or a NASCAR fan in your life something exciting to look forward to?

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.