Carl Edwards gets some air, jumps off Las Vegas hotel

Carl Edwards jumps off of the 108-story Stratosphere Tower
on the Las Vegas Strip on Thursday. (G. Harry Ransom)

Edwards joined by ESPN reporter Jamie Little, AMA Superbike Series legend Miguel Duhamel

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards visited Las Vegas on Thursday to help promote the March 3-6 NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – and some guys will do just about anything to sell tickets.

Edwards, along with ESPN NASCAR reporter and Las Vegas native Jamie Little and AMA Superbike Series legend Miguel Duhamel, jumped off the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas.

The SkyJump Las Vegas (www.skyjumplasvegas.com) attraction is located 108 stories above the ground at the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower on the Las Vegas Strip.

Edwards, along with ESPN NASCAR reporter and
Las Vegas native Jamie Little prepare to jump off
the Stratosphere on the Strip. (Las Vegas Motor Speedway)

“It sounded like it was really going to be fun,” Edwards explained. “I told my PR guy, ‘We’re going to Vegas, let’s do something really fun, like skydiving or something.’ Then they showed me this video (SkyJump Las Vegas) on the Internet and I said, ‘That’s it – that’ll be a blast.’ Then today I realized I actually had to do it.”

Edwards and Little were scheduled to jump, but Duhamel was a surprise addition. The winner of LVMS’s 2008 Kobalt Tools 400 was speaking at a luncheon earlier in the day when he received a text from his friend, Duhamel. Miguel heard Carl was in town and asked what his plans were. Edwards texted back, “I’m going to jump off the Stratosphere at 2 p.m.” Duhamel, jokingly referring to Edwards’ recent Daytona 500 finish, replied, “Carl, it’s OK, second place was really not that bad. You’ll win next year.”

Duhamel met Carl and Jamie at the Stratosphere and the trio suited up. They could not have picked a nicer day to jump: sunny, with a slight breeze and temperatures in the high 50s. Duhamel went first, followed by Little, then Edwards.

AMA Superbike Series legend Miguel Duhamel jumps
off the Stratosphere. (Las Vegas Motor Speedway)

“You’re standing up there (on the jump platform), and they go, ‘Three, two, one’ and I said, ‘Wait a second – let’s check everything one more time,’ “ said Edwards. “That was an ESPN SportsCenter moment, for sure. It was unbelievable – I want to go do it again. Anybody who is planning to come to Vegas, go to the Stratosphere and jump off. It’s a cool thing to do.”

“I’m standing on solid ground, but my legs are shaking,” admitted Little, still in her jumpsuit. “Carl was asking so many questions. I finally said, ‘Carl, stop – I gotta jump!’ Awesome. That was fun.”

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The NASCAR weekend begins on Thursday, March 3, with a full day of NASCAR Nationwide Series practice and a free driver autograph session. Stratosphere Pole Day features practice for both the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race as well as qualifying for the Kobalt Tools 400 on Friday, March 4. The Sam’s Town 300 is set for Saturday, March 5, and the Kobalt Tools 400 will run on Sunday, March 6. Two nights of World of Outlaws Sprint Car racing will take place at the Dirt Track March 2 and 3.

Tickets for all events are on sale at www.lvms.com or by calling (800) 644-4444. Follow LVMS on Facebook and Twitter.

Jamie Little jumps off of the 108-story Stratosphere. (G. Harry Ramsom)

- Release courtesy of Las Vegas Motor Speedway