I always look forward to our Las Vegas weekend, and this year’s trip was another good one. We spent Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Pennzoil 400, and between the fast laps, great weather, and that unmistakable Vegas energy, it made for a really fun day with our group. Our Las Vegas Motor Speedway NASCAR tour brought together a nice mix of returning guests and folks traveling with RaceAway for the first time, and by race morning, everybody was ready to soak it all in.
Settling In for Our Vegas Weekend
Our home base for the weekend was Park MGM on the Strip, which gave guests a comfortable spot to stay right in the middle of Las Vegas while still keeping race day simple with charter transportation handled for them. I was on site from Friday evening through Monday morning, so I had plenty of time to connect with people as they arrived, answer questions, and help everybody get settled before we headed out to the track on Saturday morning.
We had a nice group of return guests with us, but the majority were brand new to RaceAway, which always gives a weekend a fun balance. The returning guests knew the flow and settled right in, while the new folks were excited to see how easy the whole experience can be when the hotel, race tickets, and transportation are all lined up ahead of time. By the time we were meeting in the lobby and chatting about the race day, I knew we had a solid group of NASCAR fans.
Saturday gave some guests the chance to add even more racing to the weekend with qualifying and the support race at the speedway. Our charter left Park MGM at 11:00 a.m., and on Sunday we headed out even earlier for the 2026 Pennzoil 400, with the buses departing at 8:30 a.m. for Cup race day. Even though the speedway is only about 17 miles from the hotel, race traffic can stretch that ride quite a bit, so we plan around that and keep things moving on time. The motor coaches also had restrooms on board, which is one of those small details guests really appreciate.
Race Day at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Sunday turned out to be one of those classic Vegas race days with sunshine and comfortable March weather. From the minute we pulled into the speedway area, you could feel the excitement building. Folks were grabbing their gear, double-checking e-tickets, and heading toward the gates with that mix of focus and anticipation you always see before a Cup race.
As we made our way in, I went over a few speedway basics one more time. As of March 2026, no coolers were allowed in the grandstands, outside alcohol was not permitted, one unopened plastic bottled drink per person was allowed, and guests could bring up to two bags no larger than 18 inches at their biggest dimension. Concessions and merchandise were also cashless at the track that weekend. Guests with pre-purchased Neon Garage or Pre-Race Track access had separate entry details as well.
Once everybody got inside and settled, it was time to enjoy the show. Las Vegas Motor Speedway has a way of delivering a big-event feel, and this race had plenty to watch. Denny Hamlin put together a dominant afternoon, leading 134 laps and bouncing back from an early pit road penalty to take the win and his first Cup victory of the 2026 season. Behind him, there was no shortage of action as the field battled all over that fast 1.5-mile track, and our guests were into every bit of it. The weather stayed pleasant, the pace was strong, and the whole day had that easygoing but energized feel that makes Vegas such a favorite stop.
One of my favorite moments from the weekend came from a message Maurice E. sent while the trip was still going on. He wrote, “You guys get amazing seats! Jamie is a great host and did a great job getting us to the track. We’re having a great time thanks to you!” Notes like that mean a lot, especially on a weekend with so many new guests, because it tells me people are appreciating the details and enjoying themselves.
Highlights from This 2026 Pennzoil 400 Weekend
- Staying at Park MGM and having charter transportation arranged to and from Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
- A strong mix of first-time RaceAway guests and a nice group of returning travelers.
- Beautiful March weather for a full Sunday of Cup Series racing.
- Denny Hamlin leading 134 laps and overcoming an early penalty to win the Pennzoil 400.
- Maurice E.’s kind message during the weekend about the seats, the trip to the track, and the overall experience.
- The electric Las Vegas atmosphere adding a little extra energy to the whole weekend.
Wrapping Up a Memorable Vegas Weekend
By the end of the trip, this one felt like exactly what a good race weekend should be: smooth logistics, strong racing, great weather, and a group that was fun to host from start to finish. I always enjoy seeing new guests experience a RaceAway weekend for the first time, and it is just as nice welcoming back familiar faces who already know how much fun these trips can be.
Take a look at our current Las Vegas Motor Speedway NASCAR packages, or explore our other NASCAR travel packages with RaceAway when you are ready for your next race weekend.