Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series :

Kyle Busch’s emotional win highlights NASCAR’s history in Las Vegas

NASCAR

Kyle Busch celebrates winning the Shelby 427 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in this 2009 file photo.

The Candy Man Can

In his M&M-sponsored car, hometown driver Kyle Busch snagged his first career win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Sunday's Shelby 427.

Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR's four-time defending Cup champion and one of racing's biggest stars, is a three-time winner at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Savvy veteran Jeff Burton has a record five victories in Las Vegas, taking the checkered flag in three Nationwide Series races and two Cup events.

Then, there is hometown boy Kyle Busch and his memorable triumph last March.

Busch started from the rear after being forced to change his engine during practice, but maneuvered his way to the front in leading for the final 17 laps for the emotional victory. After all, Busch and his older brother, Kurt Busch, grew up in Las Vegas and learned their craft on local junior circuits.

"This is pretty awesome. It's very special," Kyle Busch said last year after winning. "You never really know how special they can be until you actually get it done."

More history will be made this weekend when NASCAR storms into town for its annual stop in Southern Nevada. While the race and track don't carry the same history as some of NASCAR's more storied venues, the week in Las Vegas always receives raves revenues from the drivers and other racing officials.

With more than 100,000 fans in attendance each year for the Cup race, it is the most-attended sporting event in Southern Nevada. Last year's race drew 149,200 fans — the smallest amount of fans at the local Cup race since 2004. This will be NASCAR's 14th straight year holding a Cup race at the Speedway.

Here's a look back at some of the past races.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners

March 1, 1998-Inaugural Las Vegas 400, won by Mark Martin

March 7, 1999-Las Vegas 400, won by Jeff Burton

• March 6, 2000-Carsdirect.com 400, won by Jeff Burton

March 4, 2001-UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, won by Jeff Gordon

March 3, 2002-UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, won by Sterling Marlin

March 2, 2003-UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, won by Matt Kenseth

March 7, 2004-UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, won by Matt Kenseth

March 13, 2005-UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, won by Jimmie Johnson

March 12, 2006-UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, won by Jimmie Johnson

• March 11, 2007-UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, won by Jimmie Johnson

March 2, 2008-UAW-Dodge 400, won by Carl Edwards

March 1, 2009-Shelby 427, won by Kyle Busch

NASCAR Nationwide Series winners

• March 16, 1997-Las Vegas 300, won by Jeff Green.

• Feb. 28, 1998-Sam's Town 300, won by Jimmy Spencer.

• March 6, 1999-Sam's Town 300, won by Mark Martin.

• March 5, 2000-Sam's Town 300, won by Jeff Burton

• March 3, 2001-Sam's Town 300, won by Todd Bodine

• March 2, 2002-Sam's Town 300, won by Jeff Burton

• March 1, 2003-Sam's Town 300, won by Joe Nemechek

• March 6, 2004-Sam's Town 300, won by Kevin Harvick

• March 12, 2005-Sam's Town 300, won by Mark Martin

• March 11, 2006-Sam's Town 300, won by Kasey Kahne

• March 10, 2007-Sam's Town 300, won by Jeff Burton

• March 2, 2008-Sam's Town 300, won by Mark Martin

• Feb. 28, 2009-Sam's Town 300, won by Greg Biffle

One-Lap Track Records

• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Kasey Kahne, 29.212 seconds, 184.856 mph (2007)

• NASCAR Nationwide Series: Brian Vickers, 29.718 seconds, 181.708 mph (2008)

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