IndyCar parade planned for Las Vegas Strip

In less than three weeks, the world's fastest, most versatile race car drivers roar into Las Vegas for the inaugural IZOD INDYCAR World Championships Presented by Honda at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

To kick off the week of competition and celebration, the famous Las Vegas Strip will close as the stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series get behind the wheel of the cars they'll drive in the 200-lap race Sunday, Oct. 16, for the IZOD IndyCar Series Car Parade Presented by Verizon down Las Vegas Blvd. at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13.

Fans can catch a view of their favorite drivers including Will Power, Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves, Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti from either side of Las Vegas Blvd. between Monte Carlo Resort and Casino and the Flamingo hotel.

"It's very important for us to showcase the best drivers in the world who will race in the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships," said Randy Bernard, CEO of INDYCAR. "What better way is there to do this than to shut down one of the most famous streets in the world for more than 30 Indy cars to start the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships' weekend?"

"We are excited to have open-wheel racing back in Las Vegas, and we look forward to hosting the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships," said Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. "Las Vegas was built to host people and events, and we look forward to introducing INDYCAR and Vegas to each other with the driver parade and kickoff celebration."

Following the parade, Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka will host an exclusive event where fans with a race-day ticket can mingle with drivers and other celebrities at WET REPUBLIC Ultra Pool at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. During the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships Kick-off Party Presented by Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka, guests can enjoy WET REPUBLIC's two spectacular saltwater pools, eight individual pools and spas, VIP bungalows and hip party cabanas.

Also the presenter of the kick-off party, Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka has been named the official vodka of the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships. Created by golf legend Fuzzy Zoeller, it will be the preferred vodka at all of the race weekend activities.

The IZOD IndyCar Series and the Firestone Indy Lights champions, plus the IZOD IndyCar Series' Sunoco Rookie of the Year, will be crowned following the races on the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway oval. Additionally, reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon seeks to claim the $5 million Go Daddy INDYCAR Challenge. Should Wheldon, who will start from the rear of the more than 30 car field, win the race, he will split the $5 million prize with a winning sweepstakes entrant.