On most fall days, UNLV coach Barry Odom is giving direction to his the UNLV football team. But on Sunday, Oct. 20, he will be commanding the greatest stock car drivers in the world to start their engines.
Odom, who has guided the Rebels to a record-breaking start to their season, has been named grand marshal for this year’s South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“I have been a NASCAR fan for quite some time and have been to many races at other tracks,” Odom said. “But this will be my first time doing ‘Drivers Start Your Engines!’ and to do it here in Las Vegas where our family has made our home will be extra special.”
In just his second season overseeing UNLV football, Odom has energized the program. Under his leadership, the Rebels earned a spot in the national rankings for the first time in school history and appeared in their first ever Mountain West Conference Championship game last year. Odom also was named Mountain West Coach of the Year and was a finalist for national coach of the year in 2023.
Odom joins a list of distinguished guests who have also delivered the command at LVMS, including Las Vegas Raider A.J. Cole, Vegas Golden Knights Adin Hill and William Carrier, Legendary car builder Carroll Shelby, actor Mark Wahlberg, comedian Tim Allen, former Raiders Marcus Allen and Derek Carr, actor Cole Hauser, socialite Kim Kardashian, country music group Rascal Flatts, noted broadcaster Brent Musburger and UFC President Dana White.
For the third year in a row, LVMS's annual Fall NASCAR weekend will offer fans a FREE Friday that will kick off with a NASCAR Cup Hauler Parade around LVMS on Friday afternoon, October 18, and follow with Xfinity practice and qualifying later that day. Friday's racing action will conclude with the zMax CARS Tour West Star Nursery Classic at the iconic Bullring, where race fans can attend for as low as $20 during pre-sale, and kids 12 and under can attend for free. Don't miss your chance to see NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick and his son, Keelan, take on the competition along with a jaw-dropping Monster Truck demolition show. Saturday brings Cup Series qualifying in the early afternoon, followed by the Ambetter Health 302 NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Race weekend will conclude with Sunday's South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series race.
For tickets or more information on the South Point 400, visit www.lvms.com or call 1-800-644-4444. Weekend and single-day tickets are still available; Sunday tickets for kids 12 and under are just $10 and free on Friday and Saturday with the advance purchase of an adult ticket.
