NASCAR announced Thursday they have officially relocated the season-ending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony to Las Vegas, Nevada. After much speculation and talk throughout the garage, NASCAR officials announced the move from the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City to the Wynn Las Vegas. In addition, Las Vegas became the “Official Host City of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week.”

The move will go into effect this year, with the awards ceremony being held Friday, December 4, 2009.

“I can’t say enough about the warm reception from Las Vegas,” NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France explained. “Las Vegas really made it a priority to get the awards ceremony moved there. We were able to come to an agreement on reasonable room blocks, banquet facilities, and approvals to hold fan activities on the famous Las Vegas Strip.”

“We are certainly proud to be the host city for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week and Awards Ceremony,” Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events said. “The addition of this prestigious event provides another dimension to our December calendar. This is a great way to end the year and highlight the achievements of NASCAR’s best drivers and crews.”

Since 1981, the awards banquet has been held in New York City at the famed Waldorf=Astoria. Bringing the stars of the South to the big city lights of New York was a treat to the drivers and crews and a way to expand the market of the sport. However, over the years the banquet grew stale and many called for a change.

“I also want to thank New York City and especially the Waldorf=Astoria for being such an important part of NASCAR’s history over the years. We look forward to a continued presence in the Big Apple where we have so many dedicated fans,” France went on to say.

Leading up to the award ceremony, there will be a number of events in the Las Vegas area planned for drivers and fans alike. One of the motivating factors for the move was more fan involvement and a more elaborate and exciting show, and what better place than Las Vegas?

The “Victory Lap” will continue its tradition when the top-10 drivers in the season’s final standings make a procession through the city in their cars. Fans will be able to see the stars of NASCAR shine under the bright lights of Vegas as they stroll down the strip. The NASCAR NMPA Myers Brother Luncheon, the Pit Stop Tour and the NASCAR Street Tour – which will feature cars and mobile marketing units placed around the city – are also planned in the days leading up to the event.

“Las Vegas is known for having marquee special events and this partnership further enhances the relationship between Las Vegas and NASCAR,” President/CEO Rossi Ralenkotter of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority added. “The strength of the Las Vegas brand leveraged with the brand of NASCAR will generate increased awareness and excitement.”

In order to save teams on travel expenses, NASCAR officials also announced the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series banquets will be held at a combined ceremony on Monday, November 23 at the Loews Miami Beach. The top-five in points in both series will be honed in a joint banquet.

The sanctioning body also announced the season-ending banquet for the Grand-Am Rolex Series has been moved to the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida and will be held Monday, October 12.

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