Las Vegas Review-Journal - Heavy Pedal

I told you three weeks ago the NASCAR Sprint Cup banquet would move to Las Vegas this year.

And on Thursday NASCAR confirmed it.

(A special thanks to the person who gave me the tip. He/she is the newest member of my Big Ear Posse; your badge and decoder ring have been ordered.)

The banquet will be on Dec. 4 — a Friday night — at Wynn Las Vegas. There could be seating available to the general public but probably not much.

It will be a wild week, especially with the National Finals Rodeo opening its 10-day run the night before. I report on both so that will be a very special week.

Before the NFR came to town 25 years ago, the first two weeks of December were when casinos could change the carpet or paint. With the weeklong events surrounding the Cup ceremony and the rodeo, the first week of December will be one of the busiest.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will attend

Only the drivers finishing in the top 10 in series points are invited to the Dec. 4 ceremony.

But earlier in the week the National Motorsports Press Association hosts an event that honors winners of special awards. One of those awards is for the most popular Cup driver, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won it the past six years.

Unless he smacks his grandma on live TV he’ll win it again.

I know he favors the Palms and Hard Rock so you pit lizards can begin scouting locations you can stalk him.

Supercross to bring a real points race

The AMA Supercross series ends its season May 2 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

And for the first time in the past eight years since I’ve been covering the event there could be serious drama within the points chase.

Entering Saturday’s penultimate race in Salt Lake City, James Stewart leads Chad Reed by three points after Reed faltered to a seventh-place finish last weekend in Seattle.

It could be crunch time when they get to Las Vegas.

Stewart on ESPN; Reed at Home Depot

James Stewart will be featured on ESPN's “E:60” at 4 p.m. Monday. ...

Reigning Supercross champ Chad Reed will sign autographs between 5 and 6 p.m. on April 30 at The Home Depot on 4750 S. Decatur Blvd. ...

Freestyle motocross lunatic Mike Metzger will meet with fans and sign autographs from 5 to 8 p.m. on April 30 at Pole Position Raceway (4175 S. Arville Road).

Carter Powersports (6275 S. Decatur Blvd.) will host Rockstar/Hart & Huntington/Carter Powersports Supercross riders between 6 and 7 p.m. on May 1. Among those scheduled to attend: Reed, Ryan Dungy, Seattle winner Ryan Villopoto, Tim Ferry, Carey Hart and Ricky Dietrich.

For more information log on to www.carterpowersports.com or call 795-2000.