NASCAR Hauler Parade to kick off race weekend

By Anthony Fenech

Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

This year's NASCAR Hauler Parade down Las Vegas Boulevard this evening will be bigger than ever.

In addition to the Sprint Cup Series teams that have participated for the past three years, tonight's parade will include Nationwide Series teams. The haulers are the large trucks that carry the race cars and gear to the track.

"It's grown a lot every year," Las Vegas Motor Speedway's John Bisci said. "This will double the participation, and that's a good thing."

The parade begins at 6 p.m.

The haulers will assemble at South Point and head north on Las Vegas Boulevard until Sahara Avenue, where they will turn and get onto Interstate 15 to the speedway.

Bisci recommends fans arrive early and find anywhere on the Strip with a good vantage point.

"This kicks off NASCAR weekend in Las Vegas with a novelty, circus-like feel," he said.

"These haulers are big and they're colorful. They're not the kind of trucks you see on the highway."

Sixty to 75 haulers are expected to participate, traveling in the northbound right lane of Las Vegas Boulevard.