Fans get opportunity to attend Cup awards gala

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- For the first time in NASCAR history, fans will have the opportunity to join drivers, team owners and industry leaders to celebrate the Sprint Cup Series champion. This year's awards ceremony is scheduled to be held on Dec. 4 at Wynn Las Vegas.

Approximately 300 tickets will be made available to the top 12 teams and drivers, Cup Series track operators and NASCAR partners to utilize for fan promotions. Fans will make up about 25 percent of the audience as they join drivers, team owners and industry officials for the awards ceremony. The available tickets will be used as part of sweepstakes, contests or promotions.

"Making tickets available provides the teams, tracks and partners a truly unique opportunity to reach out to the fans like never before," said NASCAR CMO Steve Phelps. "We're looking forward to seeing creative promotions for the limited number of tickets. We've worked very hard over the past four months to iron out details for the awards ceremony and the fan element was top priority."

NASCAR made the decision in April to move the awards ceremony to Las Vegas after holding the prestigious event in New York for the past 27 years. After considering several options for the 2009 awards ceremony, NASCAR formed a partnership with Las Vegas Events, with Las Vegas becoming the "Official Host City of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week."

In coming weeks there will be additional announcements about the events planned for "Champion's Week" in Las Vegas. Specifically, more details will be provided about the Top 12 Victory Lap Parade, entertainment and other fan event opportunities.