Las Vegas Motor Speedway was buzzing with excitement on Saturday, October 3, as NASCAR fans gathered for the Focused Health 302 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase Race. Adding a little Hollywood star power to the action was award-winning actor, director and producer Jason Priestley, who served as the event’s Grand Marshal.
Best known for his iconic role as Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, Priestley was right at home at the track. What made his appearance especially fitting is that his connection to motorsports goes far beyond simply being a celebrity fan. Priestley has competed in the SCCA Pro Rally Series, circuit racing and IMSA GTS, and has also been involved in IndyCar through team ownership and motorsports commentary.
During Saturday’s pre-race festivities, Priestley joined fans and took part in the excitement leading up to the race. One of the highlights was watching him deliver the highly anticipated “Drivers, start your engines!” command before the green flag dropped.
It was a great crossover of entertainment and motorsports, and Priestley’s genuine enthusiasm for racing was evident throughout the event. His background in both Hollywood and racing made him a natural choice for the Grand Marshal role.
While many fans know Priestley from his television and film career, including Beverly Hills, 90210, Call Me Fitz, Private Eyes and Wild Cards, his passion for motorsports adds another interesting dimension to his career. He has also directed and produced numerous television projects and earned recognition including an ACTRA National Award of Excellence and a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
For me, covering the Focused Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was another exciting Las Vegas sports experience, combining the energy of NASCAR with a familiar face from television and film. With Priestley helping kick off the race, Saturday delivered plenty of excitement both on and off the track.
The NASCAR action continues Sunday with the South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series race, making for another big weekend of racing in Las Vegas.
