Nationwide and Truck awards banquet returns to South Beach

   The combined NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series Awards will return to South Florida for 2012 and be held at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, located in the heart of South Beach. The event is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 19, following the Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

   Similar to past award shows, this year’s event will honor the Nationwide and Camping World Truck series champions, as determined during the Homestead-Miami Speedway race weekend, November 16-18.

   “Celebrating the champions of the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in Miami Beach enables us to continue the wave of excitement out of championship weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “The backdrop makes for an ideal location to honor those champions — and their teams and sponsors — after their great seasons.”

   As previously announced, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards will return to Las Vegas, and take place Friday, Nov. 30, at the Wynn Las Vegas. A full lineup of activities for Champion's Week will be announced at a later date.

Time again for the Legends Big Money 100 at CMS

   Legends Big Money 100

   What: The largest grassroots racing event in the country, the third annual Legends Big Money 100, returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway July 2-3. The event boasts a total purse of $100,000, with the Legends Big Money 100 A-Feature winner guaranteed to take home $25,000. The two-day racing spectacular will feature fierce competition among the nation's best Legend Car and Bandolero racers.

   Action on Monday will include qualifying and heat races for the Young Lions/Semi-Pro, Masters and Legends Big Money 100 divisions. Tuesday will include Young Lions/Semi-Pro, Masters and Legends Big Money division feature racing, concluding with the Legends Big Money 100 A-Feature that night.

   Bandolero Bandit and Outlaw drivers will also have the opportunity to compete in a Bandolero championship event, with qualifying sessions and heat races on Monday and feature races on Tuesday.

   Sunday, July 1, all divisions will practice.

   When: The event will take place Monday, July 2 – Tuesday, July 3, with practice on Sunday, July 1.

   Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway, on the quarter-mile oval located on the speedway's front straightaway.

   Ticket info: (704) 455-3200.