NASCAR moves Cup Series banquet to Nashville

NASCAR’s championship banquet is once again on the move.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series top contenders will now be feted in Music City USA. The awards ceremony will now be held on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Music City Center in Downtown Nashville.

“This year, we set a course to look at everything we do through a different lens, including how we celebrate the champions of our sport,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR President. “Nashville’s energy, vibrant entertainment scene, and deep-rooted lineage in motorsports informed our decision and we believe our fans and industry will embrace the move to the Music City.”

The formal postseason Awards is a tradition that stretches back to 1981, when the event was held in New York City. It relocated to Las Vegas in 2009 and will now call Nashville its home for 2019.

This is the latest pivot that NASCAR has towards the Music City.

Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville hosted 42 Cup Series races from 1958-1984, with the circuit visiting twice a year from 1973-84. Speedway Motorsports Inc. has been working on a deal to bring NASCAR back to the city.

Nashville also hosted what is now the Whelen All-American Series awards for a number of years.

“Nashville’s history with NASCAR is indisputable, and coupled with our event experience we are a perfect match for NASCAR Champions Week,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO, Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. “We look forward to welcoming NASCAR back home to Music City.”

Additionally, dates for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series and NASCAR Regional, International and Local Awards will shift and be held before the Monster Energy Series Awards.

Once again held at the Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, the 2019 Xfinity Series and Gander Outdoors Truck Series Awards are Friday, Nov. 22, following by the Regional, International and Local Awards on Nov. 23.

Those events will be held the week after the NASCAR national series crown three champions in Miami, but before Thanksgiving.

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