NASCAR race to be named Boyd Gaming 300

LAS VEGAS -- Boyd Gaming Corporation, the primary sponsor of the annual NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Las Vegas, will now be reflected in the name.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway announced Thursday the race will be named the Boyd Gaming 300 beginning in 2014. The race had been known as the Sam’s Town 300. Sam’s Town is owned by Boyd Gaming.

Company Chief Operating Officer Paul Chakmak said the new name for the race was chosen after Boyd Gaming extended its sponsorship agreement, ensuring it be the sole corporate sponsor for 20 years.

Boyd Gaming began sponsoring the race in 1997.

“The new name we’ve selected reflects what the race has become over the years, a marquee event for our customers across the country,” Chakmak said.

NASCAR Weekend 2014 is tentatively set to begin on Friday, March 7 with Stratosphere Pole Day followed by the Boyd Gaming 300 on Saturday, March 8, and the Kobalt 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event on Sunday, March 9.