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Formula 1
Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix
Location: The vibrant city of Las Vegas, Nevada, known for its dazzling nightlife and world-class entertainment.
Schedule: The weekend promises excitement starting with practice on Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET, followed by Saturday’s practice sessions at 1 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. The thrilling qualifying session will take place early Saturday at 1 a.m., culminating in the race on Sunday at 1 a.m.
Track: Drivers will navigate the iconic Las Vegas Strip Circuit, an exhilarating course set against the backdrop of the Strip’s neon-lit skyline.
Race distance: Competitors will tackle a total of 50 laps, covering an impressive 192.95 miles of racing action.
Last year: Max Verstappen expressed disdain for various aspects of the Las Vegas Grand Prix during the previous season, although he eventually celebrated after claiming victory. Verstappen marked his 18th win of the season by passing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at the start and again with just 13 laps to go, even overcoming a penalty to secure the win. While he criticized the event’s spectacle, he couldn’t contain his joy, singing “Viva, Las Vegas; Viva, Las Vegas” as he accepted the checkered flag. Leclerc finished in a close second place, while Sergio Perez rounded out the podium in third.
Last race: In a stunning display at the Brazilian Grand Prix held in São Paulo three weeks ago, Verstappen defied starting 17th due to penalties and battled adverse weather conditions to secure his victory. This marked a significant milestone toward clinching his fourth consecutive series title, as the Dutch driver overtook Esteban Ocon on Lap 42 to win by nearly 20 seconds – marking his first victory since June.
Fast facts: The Las Vegas event initiates the grand finale stretch of the 2024 Formula 1 series, with the next stop in Qatar scheduled for next week before concluding in Abu Dhabi on December 8. Verstappen’s impressive comeback in Brazil ended a 10-race winless streak after dominating the early season by winning seven of the first ten races. His points lead over Lando Norris expanded from 44 to 62, setting the stage for an intense battle to secure his title in the upcoming races. Meanwhile, Norris had a strong performance in Brazil, having initially taken pole position and winning the sprint race, yet ultimately finished sixth—amplifying the drama as both he and Mercedes driver George Russell faced fines of 5,000 euros ($5,440) for breaching the FIA’s start procedure.
Next race: Qatar Grand Prix, taking place from November 29 to December 1.
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NHRA Drag Racing
Last event: The drag racing season came to a thrilling conclusion in Pomona, California, last week with Antron Brown clinching the Top Fuel championship at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, marking his impressive fourth world title. In a remarkable display, Jack Breckman, stepping in for the injured drag-racing legend John Force, triumphed in the Funny Car event, while Austin Prock secured the series championship. Breckman’s performance propelled Force’s racer to second overall in the standings. Notably, Greg Anderson celebrated his sixth world title in Pro Stock, and Gaige Herrera captured his second consecutive title in Pro Stock Motorcycle. In other noteworthy news, three-time NASCAR champion and current Top Fuel competitor Tony Stewart and his wife Leah Pruett joyfully welcomed their newborn son, Dominic James, on Sunday, with Stewart present for the birth before returning to competition.
Fast Facts: Antron Brown dominated the Top Fuel series, winning the championship by a margin of 62 points over Doug Kalitta, with Justin Ashley finishing third and Shawn Langdon in fourth, while Brittany Force, daughter of John Force, secured fifth place. Prock exhibited dominance throughout the season, clinching the Funny Car title with a commanding 166-point advantage over Force, who is still in recovery from a serious accident in Virginia last June. Returning to the track to witness the finals, Force showed incredible resilience despite his injuries. Prock’s impressive season included eight victories leading up to the finals, culminating with him securing the series title after qualifying No. 1 for the 15th time this year, marking an extraordinary debut season in the Funny Car category.
Next event: Scheduled for March 6-9, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida.
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NASCAR Cup Series
Last race: Joey Logano showcased his dominance by leading 107 laps during the high-stakes finale at Phoenix Raceway on November 10, ultimately capturing his third championship title after a remarkable comeback following an early-season setback. This victory also earned Team Penske its third prestigious motorsports crown in less than a month.
Fast facts: Logano’s championship victories have all occurred in even-numbered years: 2018, 2022, and now this season, establishing him as a significant figure in NASCAR history alongside Kyle Busch as the only active three-time champions in the series. Meanwhile, fellow playoff contenders William Byron (Chevy) and Tyler Reddick (Toyota) delivered solid performances, finishing third and sixth, respectively, in the 312-lap race in the desert, contributing to an intense season finale atmosphere.
Next race: Set for February 16, 2025, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
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NASCAR Xfinity Series
Last race: Justin Allgaier celebrated a hard-fought victory, claiming his first series title amidst adversity, as he overcame a flat tire and consecutive penalties that initially set him back in the race. Allgaier’s perseverance shone through as he withstood the challenges and navigated through a double-overtime restart, ultimately securing the championship for JR Motorsports.
Fast facts: Allgaier’s success marked the fourth Xfinity title for JR Motorsports, backed by Hall of Fame owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. Notably, Ryan Herbst of Stewart-Haas Racing captured the first two stages and the overall race victory before the team’s abrupt cessation of operations following the Phoenix event. Playoff finalists Custer, Allmendinger, and Hill finished eighth, ninth, and tenth respectively, in what proved to be a dramatic season conclusion.
Next race: Scheduled for February 15, 2025, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
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NASCAR Truck Series
Last race: Ty Majeski delivered a commanding performance from the pole position in a Ford, clinching his first championship while holding off fierce competition from playoff drivers Corey Heim and Christian Eckes during the thrilling 150-mile finale at Phoenix Raceway. Majeski’s dominance on the track was evident as he led an impressive 132 laps, while Heim contributed 16 laps, and championship finalist Grant Enfinger finished fifth after leading two laps.
Fast facts: Majeski’s victory securing the series title marked an impressive sixth championship for ThorSport Racing, highlighting his rapid ascent as he achieved this milestone in just his third full-time season.
Next race: Scheduled for February 14, 2025, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
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World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Last event: David Gravel showcased his racing prowess with an impressive victory in Concord, North Carolina, on November 7, and solidified his championship title the following day, comfortably securing the crown after finishing fourth in the race on November 8, demonstrating his consistency and skill throughout the season.
Next race: Set for February 5-8, 2025, in Barberville, Florida.
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IndyCar
Last race: Alex Palou achieved an incredible feat by winning his second consecutive IndyCar championship and his third in four years during the nail-biting race at Nashville Superspeedway. Notably, Colton Herta claimed the victory at the Music City Grand Prix representing Andretti Global, showcasing the competitive nature of the series.
Next race: Scheduled for March 2, 2025, in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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What are the key factors influencing Verstappen’s strategy for the Las Vegas Grand Prix?
**Interview with Formula 1 Expert, Alex Turner**
**Host:** Welcome, Alex! Great to have you here today. As we approach the highly anticipated Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix, what can you tell us about the excitement surrounding this event?
**Alex Turner:** Thanks for having me! The Las Vegas Grand Prix is always a thrilling spectacle due to its unique venue along the iconic Las Vegas Strip. The combination of high-speed racing and the vibrant Las Vegas nightlife creates a party-like atmosphere that is unmatched in the F1 calendar.
**Host:** It sounds mesmerizing! Can you walk us through the schedule for the race weekend?
**Alex Turner:** Absolutely! The weekend kicks off with practice sessions on Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET and continues on Saturday with more practice at 1 a.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. The qualifying session is also on Saturday at 1 a.m., leading up to the main event, which starts on Sunday at 1 a.m. Fans can expect some nail-biting moments during qualifying, setting the stage for the race.
**Host:** Last year’s race was quite dramatic with Max Verstappen’s mixed feelings about the event. How do you think he’ll approach this year’s race?
**Alex Turner:** Last year, Verstappen expressed criticism about various elements of the event, yet he still managed to win. This year, I expect him to focus less on the spectacle and more on strategy and performance. Given his recent comeback victory in Brazil, where he started from 17th, his confidence will be high, and he’ll be looking to capitalize on that momentum.
**Host:** That victory in Brazil certainly showcased his skill! What does this race mean in the context of the overall championship?
**Alex Turner:** The Las Vegas Grand Prix marks a crucial point in the final stretch of the 2024 Formula 1 series. It’s a pivotal race as Verstappen seeks to extend his points lead over Lando Norris, who will undoubtedly be competitive after a strong performance in Brazil. With only a couple of races left in the season, every point counts, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
**Host:** With the season nearing its conclusion, do you have predictions on how the championship battle might unfold in Las Vegas and beyond?
**Alex Turner:** It’s hard to say for certain, but it’s shaping up to be an exciting battle. If Verstappen continues his current form, he’ll be tough to beat, but with rival drivers like Norris and even George Russell in contention, anything can happen. The unpredictability of F1 is what makes it so captivating for fans worldwide!
**Host:** Thank you, Alex! It’s been enlightening hearing your thoughts. Enjoy the race weekend!
**Alex Turner:** Thank you! It’s going to be a thrilling event, and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds!