Strip shut down for stunt driver’s spinouts

Las Vegas Review-Journal

2 years ago

A screen grab of video of stunt driver Ken Block filming an Audi commercial on the Las Vegas St ... — A screen grab of video of stunt driver Ken Block filming an Audi commercial on the Las Vegas Strip on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.

Zynga announced a multi-year partnership last November with racing icon Ken Block for CSR Racing 2 (Graphic: Business Wire)

This January 12, 2022, file photo shows an aerial view of MGM Grand on the south Las Vegas Strip at sunset. (Las Vegas Review-Journal/File)

A screen grab of video of stunt driver Ken Block filming an Audi commercial on the Las Vegas Strip on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.

A stunt driver is shutting down and firing up the Strip.

Ken Block, a professional driver known for his wild promotional performances, is reportedly filming a commercial for Audi’s electric-car division. The spot is to be called “Casino,” which matches the video’s Vegas backdrop.

Video of Monday night’s filming shows Block spinning out and throwing smoke from his tires while racing through the Paris Las Vegas porte cochere.

Dig it. Video of last night’s stunt-driving action that shut down the Strip. Column coming soon. #RJnow @reviewjournal pic.twitter.com/2P55kEy4bh

— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) August 2, 2022

The Strip was shut down between Caesars Palace and Harmon Road (with the Cosmopolitan and Planet Hollywood in that closed zone) from 11 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday. Intermittent closures are also planned for 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Thursday morning.

Known for his masterful driving skills and marketing acumen, Block is a pro rally driver with the Hoonigan Racing Division, which competes in the American Rally Association. His Block’s series of Gymkhana motorsport YouTube videos has drawn more than 550 million views.

The 54-year-old extreme driver has also competed in motocross, skateboarding and snowboarding.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.