CRAIG JACKSON’S VIEW FROM THE BLOCK: The Entertainment Capital of the World
May 30, 2023
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Craig Jackson – Chairman/Chief Executive Officer
Phil Hill and my brother Brian.
Las Vegas holds a special place in the hearts of many a die-hard car guy – including me. Well before Barrett-Jackson held its inaugural auction in the city in 2008, I remember going there in the ’60s with my parents to watch my brother Brian, who raced at the Stardust International Raceway when he ran SCCA with Phil Hill and Jim Hall, with the Chaparrals. I was there in the fall of 1968 for the Can-Am finale when Hall was in a wreck and his Chaparral broke in two. I was just a kid, but I remember it clearly; I even had a piece of the broken Chaparral in my room for a long time.
Its racing history aside, Las Vegas is of course known as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and it’s no wonder why. The city is home to world-famous casinos, luxurious resorts and some of the biggest names in entertainment. Our team is always looking forward to bringing the action of Barrett-Jackson to Las Vegas, because that entertainment culture provides the perfect backdrop for this exciting event. We are proud that many top-name entertainers have joined us for our Las Vegas Auction over the years – many of whom brought their prized vehicles along with them.
The inaugural Las Vegas Auction catalog cover.
This year marks 15 years of Barrett-Jackson in Las Vegas. The first event in 2008 saw Carroll Shelby’s first road race car, a 1949 MG TC, as the top-selling vehicle – but the 2010 Las Vegas Auction is a particularly special and memorable one for me. The auction featured eight unique cars from the estate of Danny Gans, a Vegas headliner and philanthropist. I met my wife, Carolyn, through the sale of those vehicles.
The Las Vegas Auction has hosted many other well-known names, including Carroll Shelby, Funkmaster Flex, Jay Leno, Don Prudhomme, John Schneider, Bruce Willis, Don Johnson, Sylvester Stallone, Josh Duhamel, Tom Arnold, comedian Rich Little, legendary MMA Champion Randy Couture and UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell. Magician Criss Angel, a longtime Las Vegas headliner, sold seven vehicles from his collection at our 2011 event.
Not only have renowned entertainers participated in buying and selling, but on occasion they have even performed for us at the Opening Night Party. The performance by multi-platinum country star Clay Walker in 2013 will always be among my favorites.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Las Vegas without some local legends in attendance. Over the years these have included Siegfried and Roy, Corey Harrison, Austin “ChumLee” Russel of “Pawn Stars” and magician Penn Jillette. Wayne Newton, known as “Mr. Las Vegas,” participated in the charity sale of a 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and sold a trio of his personal collector cars at the 2021 Las Vegas Auction.
The late Danny Gans’ children after the sale of his collection.
Aerosmith band members stopped by the auction in 2019 when they had a residency in the city. Additional notable entertainers checking out the action have included Mike Tyson, racing great Richard Petty and Linda Vaughn, best known as “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter.” Other familiar faces at the auction have included British entertainment writer Robin Leach, as well as Jeff Allen and Meg Bailey from TV’s “Car Chasers.” We had a lot of fun last year with comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, who sold his 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon and a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Trans Am Bandit Edition at the event.
With such a range of exciting cars and special guests, the Las Vegas Auction is always one of the most memorable in my book – made even more special by the city’s reputation for entertainment.
I look forward to seeing everyone on and off the auction block in Las Vegas this year. Cheers!
— Craig Jackson
With Craig at the helm, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company is celebrating over 50 successful years in the collector car hobby. He is an avid car collector, award-winning restorer and racing enthusiast.
Carroll Shelby and Jay Leno.
Don Prudhomme.
Josh Duhamel.
Rich Little.
John Schneider in the General Lee.
Randy Couture.
Chuck Liddell.
Criss Angel.
Clay Walker.
Siegfried and Roy.
Richard Petty.
Linda Vaughn.
Robin Leach.
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.
Penn Jillette.
Wayne Newton.
A little Elvis just for fun.