Las Vegas NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer
Pizzazz Magazine Las Vegas Reviews

A Pizzazz Magazine Exclusive

Publisher Don Lemmon

Pizzazz Magazine: Who was the first person to tell you that owning a restaurant was a good idea and why the Nascar cafe?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: I was approached by two friends who had acquired the rights to do the NASCAR Cafe concept in 1995. I joined them in 1996 as president of the startup company, and we opened our first location in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in February, 1997. I thought NASCAR was a great pick for a theme because it represents not just a sport, but a lifestyle.

Pizzazz Magazine: What directed your attention to the restaurant/tourism industry as a profession to begin with and did you originally see your role (career) in it different than it is?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: I didn’t seek the restaurant/tourism industry per se, I just thought the NASCAR Cafe concept was promising and thought I’d be able to bring something to the equation as far as building the brand. I never dreamed I’d have the opportunity to buy the rights to the Las Vegas location when I started this.

Pizzazz Magazine: What are your 5 favorite websites besides the NascarCafeLasVegas.com site and ours?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: www.govols.com, www.tennessean.com, www.nascar.com, www.foxsports.com, www.weather.com

Pizzazz Magazine: Have something interesting to share about the Nascar Cafe? A historical fact perhaps? Tell me something that not very many people know about it, something interesting that no one has ever asked you about until now.

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: People say that Las Vegas has gone corporate and there are no individual owners any more, and I suppose that’s a true to a great extent in the casino business, but my wife and I are a throwback to the old days. We’re the only locally owned and operated facility of this type on The Strip. We own 100% of it and we work it every day.

Pizzazz Magazine: What's the craziest thing you have ever experienced at the Nascar Cafe to date or maybe tell me about something you witnessed but didn't participate in that our readers might find intriguing.

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: The craziest thing each year is Race Week. It is an unbelievable scene at our facility from Thursday through Monday. Thousands and thousands of people. We had people show up at 8 a.m. for Dale Jarrett’s 5 p.m. autograph appearance. This year was the best in the three years we’ve been open, and Tammy and I are very grateful.

Pizzazz Magazine: Most popular item off the menu? Your favorite item?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: Bacon Cheeseburgers are dominant. I wish more people would try our barbecued ribs. They’re simply the best in town.

Pizzazz Magazine: The biggest misconception about the restaurant business is:

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: The biggest misconception about restaurants in Las Vegas revolves around location. We’ve seen a ton of concepts at the south end of The Strip fail in the time we’ve been in operation. The North End of The Strip offers a better value in food, fun and gaming.

Pizzazz Magazine: What's the hardest and yet easiest part of dealing with the tourists that come into the Nascar Cafe that you didn't realize when opening it?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: The toughest part about doing business in Las Vegas is the impact of differing groups in town. For instance, a lot of people moan about the summer, but we do terrific business with families. Certain conventions are very tough for us. Each week is a little different and that took some time to learn.

Pizzazz Magazine: Who decides the names of many of the items on your menu and how is it that you select the Nascar affiliated celebrities associated with the particular menu choices?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: Most of that work was done six years ago when we launched the concept.

Pizzazz Magazine: What is the most frequently asked question about the menu that makes you crazy whenever someone asks you it, but somehow you remain composed enough to answer?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: It might sound self-serving, but there is basically no question a guest can ask that drives me crazy. We sincerely appreciate the business we get.

Pizzazz Magazine: Is there a job that you were offered in the past but passed up that we would find interesting because it has nothing to do with what you do now? And what do you feel is the greatest payoff for you as the owner of your own restaurant?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: I had an opportunity to run a racetrack once, but I wanted my next move to be ownership. The greatest payoff in ownership is determining your own destiny, sink or swim, and being able to take part in the development and success of the people you employ.

Pizzazz Magazine: Some people may think when they meet you that you just achieved what you have with your business overnight. They do not realize the work it took to get to where you are because their interests usually lie in what you have to offer as a local dining establishment/tourist attraction and fail to consider the amount of time or effort you or your staff have put into something. How does it make you feel when people behave this way?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: I don’t get a lot of that. Friends and former business associates visit our facility and say: "how’d you guys pull this off?"

Pizzazz Magazine: What is your crowning achievement in life so far and what do you see yourself doing 10 years from now?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: Another answer that comes off as self-serving, but marrying Tammy changed my life, in a very good way. Anybody who knows what they’re going to be doing 10 years from now is much smarter than me.

Pizzazz Magazine: Tell me a joke about anything! Know one that's race car related?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: I think I have a good sense of humor but I can’t tell jokes.

Pizzazz Magazine: Who is your favorite Vegas musician or band? What in your opinion is the best entertainment Vegas has to offer? The worst? Favorite Vegas hangout, other than the Nascar Cafe, laughs?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: The greatest singer of all time was Frank Sinatra. The greatest entertainer in Las Vegas history over the long haul has been Wayne Newton, and he’s the greatest ambassador we’ve had. I’m partial to Steve Wyrick because he’s got an excellent show, he’s our neighbor and he’s a very nice guy. I don’t do a lot of hanging out because I go to bed early and get up early, but we enjoy the great restaurants in Las Vegas, and my Friday night hangout is Piero’s. The food is outstanding, and the staff works hard to overcome the shortcomings of the owner: Freddie Glusman.

Pizzazz Magazine: Tell me something about the industry you are in that people tend to forget.... and maybe something they do not realize either....

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: Everyone realizes you need to treat your guests properly, but it’s real important to also treat your employees with respect and try to show them you care.

Pizzazz Magazine: Once this is off your chest, what is the one thing you would change about your work if you could without hesitation and would you then be fine with everything else?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: Frankly, it breaks your heart to see some people and the decisions they make in their personal lives, and how that affects their work. Poor decisions affect every aspect of your life.

Pizzazz Magazine: Who do you feel is the most intriguing person that has visited the Nascar Cafe to this date? Why? Any celebrity regular that you always get a kick out of seeing?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: We’re honored that the late, great Dale Earnhardt came to our grand opening. I was associated with Dale for several years and he was truly an American icon. I had the Flying Elvis do our coaster grand opening and they were great fun. Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser fame) has come in often and he’s a very nice guy. We’ve had Joey Fatone of N Sync, Cuba Gooding, Alyssa Milano, Kurt Russell. The CSI network television show did a scene for an episode on our coaster and William Peterson was extremely nice to my daughter, Sharnai.

Pizzazz Magazine: Tell me the last good movie you can remember seeing that you saw in the theaters, and the last good video you rented:

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: We just saw A Beautiful Mind a couple of weeks ago in a theatre. It was very well done. Rented Goodfellas the other day. It’s a classic.

Pizzazz Magazine: What TV show do you watch the most?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: Everybody Loves Raymond and O’Reilly Factor

Pizzazz Magazine: What kind of cool merchandise can I get at the Nascar Cafe? Gotta love those Nascar souvenirs!

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: Our driver merchandise is going tremendously well. We’ve got the nice driver jackets, and they are selling very well.

Pizzazz Magazine: My husband loves a good garden burger and I see on your site that you offer one on your menu, that's great for the vegetarian! But does it also come with fries, laughs? How about salads or a hearty vegetable dish? I just love a good hearty grilled chicken or chef salad!

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: Our grilled chicken salad is excellent. I eat it at least once a week. We have a very good Gardenburger, as vegetarian burgers go. The legendary Mel Larson is a card-carrying vegetarian, and he swears by our Gardenburger.

Pizzazz Magazine: If you were anyone else besides yourself, who would you be?.. even if it was just for just a day. and is this someone you may have emulated growing up? Do you still emulate or try to be like them now?

NASCAR Cafe Owner Mark Dyer: I wouldn’t trade places with anyone in the world. I have people I admire but I’m not big on hero worship. I have great admiration for our pastor at Shadow Hills, Michael Rochelle. I defy anyone to listen to him with an open mind and not be inspired to improve themselves. He’s had an incredible impact on me.

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