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Kentucky: no talks about buying NHIS: Kentucky Speedway co-owner Jerry Carroll visited New Hampshire International Speedway with other track officials and local basketball legend Oscar Robertson on Sunday. Attending the Nextel Cup Series race, Carroll said, was unrelated to his interest in buying the track from its longtime owner, Bob Bahre. "There were no, absolutely no talks about buying the track," said Carroll, who offered to buy the New Hampshire track last year. "I think Bob Bahre knows we have an interest. Our agreement is when the time comes, he can give me a call." Purchasing a track with a Nextel Cup date and moving a race to the Kentucky Speedway is one option Carroll has considered to get NASCAR's top division to the 1.5-mile track in Sparta [KY]. The speedway's federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and International Speedway Corp., filed in 2005, remains headed toward a March trial date. Buying another track would not change Carroll's opinion about the lawsuit. "Absolutely not," he said. "The lawsuit's not so much about getting a race. The lawsuit's about an even playing field." The five-person contingent that visited New Hampshire International Speedway on Sunday included Mark Cassis, the Kentucky Speedway's executive vice president and general manager. The group flew to Concord, N.H., in a chartered jet and from there took Bahre's helicopter over to the Loudon, N.H., track.(Cincinnati Enquirer)(9-20-2007)
Kentucky Speedway looking at buying Loudon track, move Cup race: Kentucky Speedway officials are interested in buying New Hampshire International Speedway and moving one of the track's two Nextel Cup dates to the Bluegrass state. Jerry Carroll, the chairman of Kentucky Speedway, visited with NHIS owner Bob Bahre during Sunday's race. Carroll isn't Bahre's only option. John Henry, the owner of the Boston Red Sox and part-owner of Roush Fenway Racing, has had discussions with the 80-year-old track owner. "The way he's talking he's probably interested in doing something," Carroll said. Carroll believes Kentucky deserves a Nextel Cup event, reminding the sold-out crowd of 70,000 for the track's last Busch Series event was as many as the Labor Day Weekend Cup race at California Speedway. ESPN.com)(9-17-2007)
NHIS sale to Roush-Fenway possible? UPDATE 2: New Hampshire International Speedway's president, Bob Bahre, confirmed to FOX Sports today that he and Boston Red Sox owner John Henry have had discussions in the past month about the sale of the Loudon track to Henry's Roush Fenway Racing. No deal has been made.(Union Leader)(9-10-2007)
UPDATE: Fenway Sports president Mike Dee said buying the track in the future had been discussed, though not at length, between the Henry camp and that of Bob Bahre, who owns the track. "I won't deny that it has come up. But at this stage of the game, [portraying] that it's a live and intense discussion is grossly exaggerated. We're obviously new to the sport," Dee said. "I think that he's probably at a very early stage of understanding what he's going to do with it, and we're at an earlier stage of figuring out whether we're interested." Dee downplayed the discussions, saying that Bahre and Fenway Sports speak regularly about the business of racing. Beyond that, there is much Fenway Sports doesn't know about operating a race track, particularly how to wring revenue out of a facility that hosts major NASCAR races just twice a year. "I don't know the economics of the business enough. You can look at it and say if they had 15 races, it'd be better than two. I'd like to tell you that it was in my wheelhouse in terms of core competencies, but I haven't looked at it at all," he said.(Boston Globe)(9-11-2007)
UPDATE 2: A day after speculation spread that Roush-Fenway had interest in buying NHIS from Bob Bahre, ESPN reported there was another potential suitor expressing his interest. Bruton Smith, whose Speedway Motorsports, Inc., owns six current Cup tracks, told the network that while nothing is imminent he'd like to buy the Loudon facility at some point in the future for the purpose of moving the first Chase race to his track in Las Vegas.(Concord Monitor)(9-13-2007)
NHIS streak of sellouts in jeopardy UPDATE Sold Out: Despite a history of selling out its NASCAR Nextel Cup races months in advance, New Hampshire International Speedway announced that it still has about 300 tickets remaining for Sunday’s Lenox Industrial Tools 300. Despite a major television and radio advertising campaign this year, the speedway is in jeopardy of seeing its sellout streak snapped for the first time since NASCAR’s premier division started racing here in 1993. NHIS chairman Bob Bahre said the main reason behind the slump in ticket sales stems from NASCAR’s decision to schedule the race on July 1, rather than the traditional mid-month date. Bahre theorized that the Granite State’s usual post-Fourth of July tourism boom had helped fill seats in the past, and that the vacationers might not be able to adjust for the earlier date. But Bahre made it clear NASCAR isn’t to blame for the lack of demand for tickets. “NASCAR asked us and we agreed to move the date,” Bahre said, noting that NHIS is blessed to have two Nextel Cup dates each year when some tracks are struggling to get one. “NASCAR’s been damn good to me.”(Boston Herald)(6-28-2007)
UPDATE: NHIS officials announced yesterday that Sunday’s race is sold out. Despite slow ticket sales, the sellout marks the 25th consecutive for the speedway since 1993, the first year the track held a NASCAR event. “We’re very fortunate,” NHIS chairman Bob Bahre said. “You see a lot of other tracks on TV and they’ve got empty seats.”(Boston Herald)(6-29-207)
Hinder to Perform a Pre-Race Concert at NHIS: TNT and New Hampshire International Speedway are joining together to present a special pre-race concert for LENOX Industrial Tools 300 ticket holders on Sunday, July 1 featuring Universal Records artist Hinder. Hinder has recorded a new version of the rock classic "Born to Be Wild" as the signature song for the 2007 NASCAR on TNT Summer Series coverage of Nextel Cup racing. This Oklahoma City, Oklahoma based group gained national attention in 2006 with their smash hit "Lips of an Angel" from their multi-platinum debut record, "Extreme Behavior". Tickets for the LENOX Industrial Tools 300 are available online at www.nhis.com or by calling Guest Services at (603) 783-4931.(NHIS PR)(6-25-2007)
NHIS to have same dates in 2008, tix still for sale: per an interview with NHIS owner Bob Bahre by the Concord Monitor's Dave D'Onofrio:
Q) Tickets for July at NHIS are still available.
A) Is the sellout streak in jeopardy? You gotta remember, were almost two weeks ahead this year and a lot of people are screwed up on their vacations. I think were down right now to, I'm guessing, less than a thousand. We'll get it sold. We've never advertised before. Never. This year we did to let people know, because one problem we had is that people always thought we were sold out. I said to our guys, get ads in so they know we aren't sold out. Everyone always thought you couldn't buy a ticket, and this year since we've advertised we picked up a lot.
Q) Will the dates of the NHIS races remain the same for next year?
A) It's already set. It's the 29th of June, I believe. We've got the sanction for up here all done for next year. The second race is the same week, too.
Q) Is Loudon at risk of losing one of its Cup races?
A) As long as I'm here, I know there'll never be a date gone. I know that.(Concord Monitor)(6-18-2007)
NHIS owner blasts Waltrip over track flap: New Hampshire International Speedway chairman Bob Bahre denied published reports today that NASCAR had threatened him to keep him from selling his track to Kentucky Speedway. “Absolutely no truth to that,” Bahre said. “NASCAR never said a word to me about not selling to (Kentucky Speedway).” Bahre said he has been approached numerous times by Kentucky Speedway officials to sell the track in the hope they could obtain one of NHIS’ Nextel Cup races. In an attempt to convince NASCAR to take a Cup date away from NHIS and give it to Kentucky Speedway, Bahre said former three-time Cup champion Darrell Waltrip, who was a paid consultant of the Kentucky facility, blasted NHIS after Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin lost their lives in practice-related crashes in Loudon in 2000. “(Waltrip) ran us into the ground when (Petty and Irwin) got killed here and that bothered the hell out of me,” Bahre said. “I have no respect for Darrell Waltrip.” Bahre noted that Waltrip deemed NHIS unsafe for NASCAR and that he said races should not be held there until the track was made safer.(Boston Herald)(5-8-2007)
LENOX Extends with New Hampshire Intl Speedway: LENOX Industrial Tools, a leading manufacturer of premium power tool accessories, hand tools, torches and band saw blades announced it has extended its sponsorship of the LENOX Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS). For years to come, the summer NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at “The Magic Mile” will be known as the LENOX Industrial Tools 300. The announcement was made during a luncheon at The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers in Boston, Mass. After much success with the race entitlement last year, LENOX, based in East Longmeadow, Mass. (just 150 miles from New Hampshire International Speedway), decided to join the track with a long-term partnership. In addition to the race entitlement, LENOX will also have another presence. Jeff Burton, the driver with the most Nextel Cup Series wins at NHIS, will race a special white and blue #31 in the event with LENOX Industrial Tools Chevy as his primary sponsor. LENOX is also an associate sponsor on Burton’s Richard Childress Racing car throughout the 2007 season. Advance tickets for the LENOX Industrial Tool 300 are on sale now, please call Speedway Guest Services at 603-783-4931 or visit the track website at www.nhis.com for more information.(Pro Sports Management & Marketing/LENOX PR), no terms were released.(1-25-2007)
Cup race sold out at NHIS: New Hampshire International Speedway has no tickets remaining for Sunday's Sylvania 300 NASCAR Nextel Cup race, NHIS public relations director Fred Neergaard said Friday. Tickets are still available for the qualifying and Modified race Friday and the New Hampshire 200 Truck Series and Busch East events Saturday. It is the 24th consecutive Nextel Cup sellout for NHIS. The track currently has 91,000 grandstand seats, not including suites.(SceneDaily.com)(9-15-2006)
NHIS to Host “Imus In The Morning” Show: New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) in cooperation with 93.3 FM The Wolf will host the “Imus In The Morning” radio show from the Speedway's Hospitality Courtyard on Friday, September 15 from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Imus Show opens the SYLVANIA 300 event weekend at “The Magic Mile”, the first race in the “Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup”. This nationally syndicated radio program, famous for its major political and sports guests, is also televised live each day on MSNBC. For a donation of $20, fans of the show will be able to purchase a ticket to experience the antics of host Don Imus and his morning crew live and in person. All proceeds will benefit “The Imus Ranch, A Working Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer”. (nhis.com)(9-12-2006)
Bruton to buy New Hampshire? UPDATE Denied, Sponsor signs, not many seats left for Sept.: One unconfirmed rumor making the rounds in the Cup garage is that Bruton Smith is trying to buy New Hampshire International Speedway, and if he's successful, he'll move the NHIS Chase date to Las Vegas.(FoxSports)(7-16-2006)
UPDATE: Bob Bahre, the 79-year-old chairman of NHIS, said his 1.058-mile oval is not up for sale, despite speculation to the contrary. ``Now my son [Gary, 43, NHIS's president], since he's been sick a few years back, he'd never want to run it alone, I'll tell you that now," said Bahre, who remains one of NASCAR's independent owners, along with Dr. Joseph Mattioli, chairman and CEO of Pocono Raceway. ``I'm going to be 80 next year, but if I were to die tomorrow, he'd probably sell it before the funeral." Asked if Gary didn't like racing, the elder Bahre said, ``No, no, he likes it. He loves it. He loves this track. We've been at it together forever, since he was a little kid of 7 years old. He loves racing, it's not a question of that. It would just bother him to be alone doing it." . . . According to Bahre, about 1,700-1,800 tickets remain available for the Sept. 17 race (Boston Globe)(7-16-2006)
Sponsor Re-ups for Sept NHIS race: Sylvania extended its sponsorship to 2012 on the September 17 race here [New Hampshire] — first race in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. “I think that what (Sylvania) did today shows how strong NASCAR is everywhere,” said NHIS CEO Bob Bahre. “I don’t think there is any Nextel Cup track that has that vote of confidence from a blue chip corporation,” added track spokesman Meade. NASCAR president Mike Helton made no guarantee that New Hampshire’s Sylvania 300 will remain the opener of the 10-race Chase, post-season for the series. He said the sanctioning body evaluates the schedule year-to-year. “We’re working on ‘07 as we speak,” said Helton. As is standard operating procedure here, Meade reiterated that this track’s two Nextel Cup races are “not in jeopardy.” The Sylvania most likely solidified New Hampshire’s September race on the schedule. There is no long-term deal on the July race. “NASCAR certainly realizes we are in the number five market (television) in the United States,” said Meade, “ and every Cup race has been sold out.” Bahre said, “You won’t see any empty seats here.”(Union Leader)(7-16-2006)
Loudon Cup race is sold out: Sunday’s race at New Hampshire International Speedway is sold out, and so is the popular Governor’s Breakfast on Friday morning at the speedway. This year’s breakfast guests for the 400-seat charity event are Kasey Kahne and Scott Wimmer. Organizers said the event has had “exciting” growth over its five years and they are already planning for a 500-seat tent for next year. Not sold out is action at the speedway today, tomorrow or Saturday [Busch Race](Union Leader), ticket inof at NHIS.com.(7-13-2006)

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July NHIS gets a title sponsor: LENOX Industrial Tool, a leading manufacturer of premium power tool accessories, hand tools, torches, and band saw blades has secured the title sponsorship of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway on Sunday, July 16th. This summer classic at “The Magic Mile” is now the “LENOX Industrial Tools 300.” The race on July 16th begins at 2:10 pm EST. Qualifying for the LENOX Industrial Tools 300 is Friday, July 14th, at 3:00 pm. Roush Racing’s Jamie McMurray, driver of the No. 26 Ford Fusion, will sport the red, white and blue colors of LENOX for the July 16th race as well as the NASCAR Cup races at Chicago (July 9) and Kansas City (Oct. 1).(NHIS PR)(6-22-2006)
NHIS 1st race July 1st in 2007 UPDATE other sched changes?: many New Hampshire International Speedway ticket holders got their renewals for the first NHIS 2007 race, and the date is July 1st, the race is usually the third weekend in July. With the 4th of July on a Wednesday in 2007, the Pepsi 400 is scheduled to run on July 7, 2007. No word on the NHIS race date in September 2007.(6-16-2006)
UPDATE On the schedule front, there are indications that next year's Cup slate will have a different look to it. New Hampshire's first race will be moved up two weeks to July 1st and rumors in the garage have a second Las vegas race and a possible Kentucky Speedway date showing up on the calendar.(RacingOne)(6-20-2006)
NHIS races get flooded out: Sunday's LRRS races at New Hampshire International Speedway were flooded out, with track officials ordering an evacuation early Sunday morning. Racer B.J. Worsham of Old Westbury, New York (LRRS #31) filed this report, with photos taken by Brendan Guy of New York City (LRRS Novice #189): "It started raining during Friday's Open Practice, around 4:30 p.m., and basically rained non-stop for the rest of the weekend, occasionally going to a drizzle only. "Riders camping in the infield were awoken by loudspeakers at 5:45 a.m. Sunday, saying we had to evacuate. Water in the tunnel was 4+ feet and we exited by driving backwards up T10, and out through the upper parking road. To get an idea of the speed of the flood, when I woke up, the garage floor was dry; 90 minutes later there was two inches of water covering it." See pictures and more to the story at roadracingworld.com and see more about the flood at the Concord Monitor.(5-16-2006)
DoD presents "Seven Seals Award" to New Hampshire: New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) has been presented with the prestigious "Seven Seals Award" by the Department of Defense and the N.H. Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The "Seven Seals Award", representing the Seals of the seven components of the U.S. Military Reserves, is the second highest award that can be bestowed upon an employer within each state. The award was presented to NHIS for their "meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and Reserve". NHIS is a proud employer of members of the Guard and Reserve. They have shown unfailing support for our troops. During the SYLVANIA 300 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race, the uniforms of Sgt. Brian Mckay and Sfc. Mark Jacques, who are members of the Speedway's Track Safety team and are currently deployed to Iraq, were draped over a chair at their stations as a reminder of their dedication to our Country. Ernest Loomis, the State Chairman of the N.H. ESGR Committee, assisted by a delegation of Military Officers representing each of the Reserve Components that included Colonel Angela Maxner, Army National Guard; Major Don Starkweather, Air National Guard; Lieutenant Commander Jack Vannatta, U.S. Navy Reserve; and Captain Mathew Dilullo, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve; presented the Award to Bob Bahre, Chairman of the Board of NHIS, and Gary Bahre, President of NHIS. Loomis thanked the NHIS Officials for their many years of cooperation and assistance.
ESGR is a Department of Defense volunteer organization, who provides free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. ESGR's goal is to support America's employers who share their employees with the nation to ensure our national security. For their support, the ESGR and the Officer delegation give a heartfelt thank you to the Bahre Family, the NHIS staff and their fans.(NHIS PR)(12-9-2005)
NHIS Garage Area Floods: The weekend flooding affected the garage area at New Hampshire International Speedway, which was covered with several feet of water due to a backup in Gues Brook south of the track. "I doubt that there was any serious damage," NHIS spokesman Ron Meade said yesterday. He said track officials will assess the situation today after the water has receded.(Union Tribune see a picture there and see images at neviperclub.org)(10-10-2005)
Sylvania 300 Weekend Features "Imus in the Morning": The SYLVANIA 300 weekend will feature a live broadcast of the "Imus in the Morning" show on Friday, September 16 from 5:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. This nationally syndicated radio program hosted by Don Imus will be on location in the Hospitality Courtyard at "The Magic Mile." "Imus in the Morning" is also simulcast daily on the MSNBC cable television network. A limited number of tickets for this live broadcast are available through NHIS Guest Services at (603) 783-4931 or through The Wolf 93.3 FM at (603) 228-9036. Tickets are $20.00 per person with all proceeds being donated to the Imus Ranch. The Imus Ranch is a 3,000-acre working cattle ranch located in New Mexico, fifty miles northeast of Santa Fe. The ranch provides children with serious illnesses the opportunity to enjoy the great American cowboy experience.(NHIS PR)(9-13-2005)
NHIS Salutes New Hampshire: New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) salutes the State of New Hampshire's Division of Travel and Tourism Development and Division of Economic Development for joining NEXTEL in hosting the New Hampshire NASCAR Day on Wednesday, August 24 in downtown Concord, N.H. This celebration will feature the NEXTEL Racing Experience display and an appearance by Greg Biffle, the driver of the #16 Roush Racing Army National Guard Ford. The NEXTEL Racing Experience will give fans the chance to try their skills in a state-of-the-art driving simulator and also have the opportunity to win one of several great prizes.(NHIS PR)(8-23-2005)
78 Arrests at NHIS: Police Chief Bob Fiske said a concerted effort by local and state police to crack down on partying in New Hampshire International Speedway's parking lots over the weekend resulted in 78 people being arrested by noon yesterday. Fiske said the arrests were up sharply from last summer's race, when about 20 people were arrested, and were the result of a "zero tolerance policy for out-of-control behavior." He said most of the arrests were for disorderly conduct, although there were some arrests for drug possession. He said the bulk of the arrests took place on Speedway property, where as many as 30,000 race fans were staying in campers over the Nextel Cup race weekend. Police increased their presence inside the Speedway property after partying got out of control in July 2003, when portable toilets were tossed into a bonfire and several of the track's private security personnel were injured in scuffles with race fans inside the track's parking areas. Fiske said his department, which swells to about 100 officers for the weekend, was assisted by 40 state troopers in patrolling the track's parking areas Friday and Saturday night. Fiske said there appeared to be fewer RVs at the track this year than last, when 8,000 were in the track's parking lot.(New Hampshire Union Leader)(7-19-2005)
Damage at NHIS from storm/winds UPDATE: Apparently high winds struck at the New Hampshire International Speed Thursday afternoon and damaged several corporate displays including the Nextel Experience, the US Army display and the Chevrolet display. Power was out at the track as well.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(7-14-2005)
UPDATE: Torrential rains, vivid lightning and a loss of electrical power left New Hampshire International Speedway disabled yesterday afternoon, forcing the cancellation of race qualifying for today's NASCAR Whelen Modified and Busch North Series races. Qualifying for the NASCAR Modified series began at 2:20 p.m., and only a couple of cars were able to complete their trial circuits before the rains arrived. Within 30 minutes, severe rain and wind rattled metal roofs and doors of the NHIS garages and tore up several crew tents on pit road. Infield tunnels flooded with 2 feet of water. Visibility was less than 100 feet as marble-sized hail pelted the track. Power to the speedway was knocked out at approximately 3:30 p.m. and had not been restored by the early evening. Yesterday's storm did not affect today's NHIS schedule, leaving both sessions of Busch Series and Nextel Cup practice as scheduled.(New Hampshire Union Leader)(7-15-2005)
NHIS selling to ISC? UPDATE 2 Denied: Is International Speedway Corp. adding to its track holdings? Sources say an announcement that New Hampshire International Speedway will join the ISC family could be made in July, but NHIS public relations director Fred Neergaard denies a sale is in the works.(Sporting News)(6-13-2005)
UPDATE: It's a story that refuses to die, despite denials: that the France family's International Speedway Corp. is buying the Bahre family's New Hampshire International Speedway, in Loudon, N.H., 90 minutes north [west] of Boston. That story has been going strong, off and on, since 2001, and it's always denied. The newest twist, though, could involve Bruton Smith, the France family's biggest rival promoter. Smith and Bahre, long at odds, going back to the sale of North Wilkesboro Speedway 10 years ago, are now talking to each other on a regular basis [Jayski Note: if so, maybe they can work together to bring some sort of racing back to N. Wilkesboro?]. The so-far unasked question: if the Bahres were interested in selling, might there be a bidding war between the Frances and Smith?(Winston Salem Journal)(6-27-2005)
UPDATE 2: Despite numerous inquiries to track officials, New Hampshire International Speedway is not for sale. ``There is absolutely nothing going on with anybody, and there is no truth whatsoever to any of these rumors,'' track chairman Bob Bahre said yesterday. With Bahre and his son, track president Gary Bahre, battling health problems, speculation has been rampant about NASCAR parent company International Speedway Corp. acquiring the Loudon track. ``It's all 100 percent rumor. I get calls every once in a while with offers. I'm not going to deny that,'' the elder Bahre said. ``That's part of the business.'' Bahre said he has fully recovered from injuries he suffered in a 2003 car accident, and he said Gary's health has improved dramatically from a serious respiratory illness diagnosed in the late 1990s. Spokesman David Talley wasn't aware of any plans for International Speedway to purchase NHIS. ``We are always looking to expand our portfolio,'' he said, ``but I haven't heard that.''(Boston Herald)(7-7-2005)
Test Dates for NHIS in June: New Hampshire International Speedway will host three NASCAR test sessions in 2005. On Monday, June 27, the NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch North Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour teams will test on the 1.058 mile oval at "The Magic Mile." Both series will be preparing for their first visit of the 2005 season on Thursday, July 14 and Friday, July 15. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series teams will have the opportunity to test from Monday, July 4 through Wednesday, July 6. With NASCAR impounding the cars after qualifying, teams will be seeking to find the right balance for success during the New England 300 weekend on July 15 through 17.
On Tuesday, August 30 and Wednesday, August 31, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams will have one final chance to perfect their set-ups for the September 18 SYLVANIA 300, the first race in the 2005 "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup."
The Main Grandstand will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all test days. There will be no charge for admission to the grandstand area. (NHIS)(5-4-2005)
All Teams Get a Check at NHIS: Kudos to Bob Bahre, president of New Hampshire International Speedway, who presented "tow money," a consolation check of $20,000, to the cars that weren't able to try to qualify for Sunday's race because qualifying was rained out. "I remember when we were racing midgets, and my wife and I didn't have enough money to stop at McDonald's on the way home from the track," Bahre says. "Nobody leaves here without a check."(FoxSports/Sporting News)(9-20-2004)
President Bush at the New Hampshire race UPDATE 2 will NOT be at the race: President Bush is expected to make a campaign stop to court valuable "NASCAR dad" votes at the Sylvana 300 in Loudon, NH's New Hampshire International Speedway.(Union Leader)(9-14-2004)
UPDATE: President Bush's visit to New Hampshire International Speedway this weekend isn't likely to change the fans'experience. Law enforcement officials say some areas will see a beefed-up security presence, but in most areas, all will remain the same. On Thursday, a half-dozen bomb dogs will begin scouring the concessions stands. Long before the races start, metal detectors will be erected to greet ticket-holders. Every guest, along with bags and coolers, will also be subject to search. Law enforcement officials won't publicly discuss the details of the security measures, but they and the Bush-Cheney campaign office both say the president is coming for a visit. Speedway officials, however, still refuse to acknowledge what seems more than likely. According to law enforcement officials, about all that will change this weekend is the number of officers - a few more, at about 125 - specifically near the tunnel entrance to the track. Bush will fly in via helicopter and land in parking lot I, before being ushered into the track, law enforcement sources said. He is expected to announce "Start your engines!" from the media building, located inside Turn 3, they said. Then he departs for an "Ask President Bush" event in Derry, while his family plans to stay at NHIS for the race. After the event, he is supposed to stay at his compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. The only thing that might deter the trip is Hurricane Ivan, the remnants of which could leave the state soaking on Sunday, possibly canceling [actually postponing NOT cancel] the race.
Yesterday, New Hampshire officials said two areas at the track were of the most concern for security: the campground, where 30,000 people sleep in their RVs, which have not been searched, and the air. Officials said there will be a three-mile no-fly zone in effect, but it would take only a few seconds for someone with less than the best of intentions to fly over the track.(Concord Monitor)(9-16-2004)
UPDATE 2: President George W. Bush's Sunday campaign trip to New Hampshire has been postponed. The President instead will visit the Gulf coast areas hit hard by Hurricane Ivan this weekend. The President had planned a Saturday afternoon stop at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, where he was expected to start the NASCAR Nextel Cup race before a crowd of about 100,000. He then planned a campaign rally in Derry. The Derry event may be rescheduled for Monday afternoon.(Union Leader)(9-16-2004)
President Bush at New Hampshire: It is more than a rumor that President Bush will return to the state for the NASCAR race at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon on Sept. 19. He is scheduled to attend the start of the race — with its 100,000 spectators — before going to another event.(Union Leader)(9-5-2004)
Fans Not happy with NHIS camper fees: NASCAR fans have mixed reactions to a new camping fee for New Hampshire International Speedway’s NASCAR races. Racing fans previously could park recreational vehicles on the track’s 1,000-acre property at no charge, but this year were required to pay $100 in advance or $125 at the gate. Busch Series and Nextel Cup races are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the speedway. Track spokesman Ron Meade said about 1,700 RVs already have arrived. Some fans called the new camping fee too high. Track officials changed the fee policy after being overwhelmed by more than 8,000 large vehicles last year. Meade said about 5,000 fans had arranged for RV parking in advance for this weekend. “We were hopeful that charging a fee would give people a second thought about bringing their mobile homes,” Meade said. “Because car parking is still free.” Not all tracks charge camping fees. Some RV parking is free at South Carolina’s Darlington Raceway. But fees at other tracks are more than double New Hampshire’s.(Union Leader/AP)(7-21-2004)
Race at NHIS gets a Sponsor: Siemens, one of the world's largest electronics and engineering companies, today announced a major agreement with the New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS), New England's largest sports facility, to sponsor the four July 2004 NASCAR races at NHIS. The events will be named the Siemens 300 (the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race), the Siemens 200 (the NASCAR Busch Series race), the Siemens 125 (the NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch North Series race), and the Siemens 100 (the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series race). The Siemens 300 is the nineteenth of 36 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races in 2004, and routinely draws crowds of 101,000 guests which is the Speedway's capacity. Bob Bahre, the Chairman of the Board of New Hampshire International Speedway, said, "We're very pleased to have Siemens join us in bringing the excitement of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series; NASCAR Busch Series; NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch North Series; and NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series to millions of race fans world-wide. Siemens is a leader in technology, as well as, a vital part of the world business community. We could not have asked for a better corporate partner for our July races." Siemens AG is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $80.5 billion in fiscal 2003. Founded more than 150 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas of Information and Communications, Automation and Control, Power, Transportation, Medical and Lighting. For more information on Siemens in the United States: www.usa.siemens.com.(NHIS PR)(7-14-2004)
Good News - Bahre Back in Action: Bob Bahre, the 78-year-old chairman of New Hampshire International Speedway, was back at his track to preside over this weekend's Loudon Classic motorcycle race meet. And he was feeling no pain, certainly none from the multiple injuries he suffered Jan. 29 in a single-car accident. "I'm feeling pretty good now," said Bahre, who spoke for the first time about his accident yesterday by telephone from NHIS. "I was in the hospital four days short of two months." And, by Bahre's account, that was too much time. Way too much. "I was in the house for two more [months] working with physical therapists and I just finished up with them," he said. "I had a nurse who had to give me a shot once a day in my stomach, but I'm done with that, too. So I'm feeling good. I'm just very fortunate that the good Lord was riding with me." Bahre does not remember the accident. All he can recall was the lunch meeting he had with a business associate, Kenneth Hoyt, who led Bahre home to Maine from Alton, N.H., in a two-car caravan. "I was tired as hell when I left to go home," said Bahre, who sustained a head injury in addition to a cracked vertebra, broken ribs, and a broken right ankle. "I must have fallen asleep at the wheel, but I don't really remember. I guess I hit this big tree." Bahre, who was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, was taken by ambulance to Bridgton, Maine, and later airlifted to Maine Medical in Portland. "I can't say enough about those good people who helped me there," Bahre said. "I was very, very fortunate they were there to help me. They weren't there just to do a job. They were trying to do their best to help me." Bahre's wife, Sandra, and their son, Gary, president of NHIS, spent the next 3 1/2 weeks near his side. "Gary and Sandra saw how much they were doing for me at the hospital," said Bahre. "Gary sent down about 100 pounds of chocolate to all the nurses and right after I got out [in March] he sent them another 100 pounds. We're going to take care of all of them and host them at our July [NASCAR Nextel Cup] race." Tuesday, Bahre returned to Maine Medical to visit to the staff that treated him.(Boston Globe)(6-19-2004)
NHIS Tix on Sale: Tickets for the NASCAR Busch Series New England 200 and the NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch North Series New England 125 at New Hampshire International Speedway are now on sale. Both events are scheduled for Saturday, July 24 as a part of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series New England 300 weekend. Fans attending this great day of racing will enjoy the added bonus of seeing the final two rounds of practice by the stars of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series as they prepare for the New England 300 on Sunday, July 25. Reserved seat tickets for the New England 200 and the New England 125 on July 24 are available for $50 and $55 dollars. Tickets for children ages 11 and under are $5. General admission tickets are also available for $35 in advance, $40 at the gate on raceday. For more information, please call Speedway Guest Services at (603) 783-4931 or visit the Speedway's Web Site www.nhis.com to purchase tickets online.(NHIS PR)(4-6-2004)
Bahre Recovering: The owner of the New Hampshire International Speedway is continuing to recover from an accident in late January in Maine. A track spokesman says Bob Bahre is in therapy and that the recovery is "going to take some time." Bahre broke his ankle, injured ribs and a vertebra, and suffered a concussion when he drove off the road in Brownfield. Investigators say he fell asleep and that the airbag and seat belt saved him from greater injury. Bahre, who's 76, was on is way from the speedway to his home in Maine when the crash occurred.(wmtw.com/AP)(3-1-2004)
NHIS Track Owner Injured UPDATE: New Hampshire International Speedway Owner Bob Bahre was seriously injured in a car accident Thursday night when his car went off the road in Maine. According to track spokesman Ron Meade, Bahre suffered a fractured vertebrae, a broken ankle, a concussion, rib injuries and has been in and out of consciousness. "They just got him out of an MRI and they have him stabilized, but as you can imagine all the swelling, it's pretty serious," Meade said. A hospital spokesman said Bahre is listed in stable condition but he remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Stevens Memorial Hospital in Maine. Bahre's family told Meade that Bahre went off the road and crashed into a tree, totaling his Chevy Blazer. Police extracted Bahre from his car. Meade said Bahre lost a lot of blood, but he was probably saved by wearing a seat-belt and the Blazer's air bag. Bahre, a self-made multimillionaire in his late 70s, is credited with bringing big time auto racing to New England with his racing empire in Loudon. He also owned and operated Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine from 1964 to 1986.(Concord Monitor/AP)(1-31-2004)
UPDATE: Bob Bahre was in intensive care in a Maine hopsital after he was seriously injured in a car accident Thursday when his car went off the road. Bahre, who is in his late 70s, was listed in stable condition Sunday at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, Maine, a hospital spokesman said. According to track spokesman Ron Meade, Bahre suffered a fractured vertebrae, a broken ankle, a concussion, rib injuries and has been in and out of consciousness. Bahre was following another vehicle to his home in Paris, Maine, after a day at the speedway when his SUV went off Route 160 in Brownfield at 2 p.m. Thursday and hit a tree. The airbag and seat belt probably saved Bahre from greater injury, Cpl. Tim Ontengco of the Oxford County Sheriff's Department said. Bahre, who said he was fatigued, apparently fell asleep coming off a curve, Ontengco said. "I asked him what happened. He said he was kind of tired and fatigued because he had been at the speedway all day and he was driving back" to his home in Maine, the investigator said. After the crash, the speedometer was stuck at 49 mph, the speed the SUV was traveling, Ontengco said. (Concord Monitor)(2-2-2004)
RV Parking Fees Announced at NHIS: Recreational vehicles and towed campers will be assessed a weekend parking fee by New Hampshire International Speedway for the two 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series weekends. Speedway officials announced the fee in response to the overwhelming RV numbers this past year. The large number of motor homes and campers entering the Speedway ’s more than 1,000 acres of parking for the July 2003 New England 300 weekend were unexpected. The volume of RV’s caused the Speedway to direct hundreds of autos to off-site parking areas where fans were bused to the track. The fees will be used to offset the costs of increasing camping area lighting, increased RV services, and added security requirements. Car parking will remain free. The RV fee will be $100 in advance and $125 at the gate. Speedway Guest Services is mailing RV fee information to all current ticket holders, and information on the NHIS RV policy may be found at the NHIS web site.(NE Racing site)(12-31-2003)
No Lights at NHIS: New Hampshire International Speedway owner Bob Bahre said Sunday he would not consider installing lights at his 1.058-mile speedway, which has dates next season in July and September. "We're not considering lights at all right now," Bahre said. "Last night was nice, but for the last two weeks here, it's been in the mid-30s to 40s every night. There's no way in hell you'd have people sitting in the grandstands in that." Bahre, who formerly owned the Oxford Plains Speedway, a short track in Maine, said his affinity for short-track racing would not allow him to consider lights for his summer date. "I think it would hurt the short tracks and the guys that are coming along," Bahre said. "Every person here (in Winston Cup) started on the short tracks and you can't very well run the risk of putting the short tracks out of business."(NASCAR.com)(9-16-2003)
SAFER at NHIS: When cars careen into the corners at the New Hampshire International Speedway next month they'll be met by safer walls, thanks to the completed installation and inspection of Steel and Foam Energy Reduction [SAFER] barriers in each of the Loudon track's four turns. The soft-wall technology comes to New Hampshire on the recommendation of the NASCAR-sponsored Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, which looked at the layout of the track and considered the danger of the corners based on speed information. The facility also studied similar figures from every other track remaining on the Winston Cup's 2003 slate, and earlier this summer suggested NHIS and Virginia's Richmond International Speedway install the SAFER barriers. Both tracks heeded the recommendation.(see full story at the Concord Monitor)(8-27-2003)
New Hampshire 2004: being told by folks that they have gotten renewals for the 2nd 2004 race at Hew Hampshire International Speedway, the date? September 19, 2004. See my 2004 Unofficial Schedule page for more, 26 of 36 races are 'confirmed.(8-9-2003)
NHIS will install SAFER for Sept race: New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) has announced plans to install the SAFER barrier. "We are very pleased to announce that following Dr. Dean L. Sicking's recommendation to NASCAR, we will be installing the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier at New Hampshire International Speedway," said Bob Bahre, Chairman of the Board. Dr. Sicking, the Director of the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility (MwRSF) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has developed the barrier that will be attached to the outside walls at NHIS. The SAFER barrier will cover all four of the track's turns. "It is our plan to have the SAFER barrier in place for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Sylvania 300 weekend this September," Bahre stated. The NASCAR Winston Cup Series Sylvania 300 weekend, from Thursday, September 11 through Sunday, September 14, will also feature the New Hampshire 200 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series; the New Hampshire 125 for the NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch North Series; and the New Hampshire 100 for the Featherlite Modified Series, NASCAR Touring.(NHIS PR), see the story about Richmond installing SAFER below and for past news, see my Softwalls/SAFER page.(7-3-2003)
July NHIS date: been told many folks have gotten their renewels for the July race at New Hamphire International Speedway: July 25th.(6-10-2003)
No SAFER for NHIS in July: New Hampshire International Speedway owner Bob Bahre was hoping the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction [SAFER] barrier system would be in place for Loudon’s first NASCAR Winston Cup race of the season, the New England 300, on July 20. But it’s not going to happen. The earliest the Magic Mile could see the SAFER system in place would be for its second race (the Sylvania 300 in September), according to Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s vice president of corporate communications. Although NHIS was hoping to get the walls in place for the New England 300, Bahre doesn’t want to rush things. He said he will do anything to improve the safety conditions at the track, but wouldn’t put the walls in until he gets NASCAR approval.(Foster’s Sunday Citizen )(6-6-2003)
No SAFER at New Hampshire this year? It does not appear as if the energy-absorbing SAFER barrier will be in place at New Hampshire in July when the Busch and Cup series race there. Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president, says analysis of a crash test done on the barrier earlier this month should be complete within two weeks. Hunter says installation of the SAFER barrier should take 60 days. If so, there wouldn't be enough time to install the barrier for the New Hampshire race, which is less than two months away. If that happens, the next race that might have the barrier could be the Richmond race in September. The barrier helps reduce the amount of energy a car -- and its driver -- experiences in a crash. Less energy should mean less severe injuries. Series officials had hoped to have the barrier at Richmond before the Busch and Cup series raced there earlier this month. Jerry Nadeau suffered head, lung, rib and shoulder blade injuries in a crash there and has been hospitalized since. Nadeau's crash reportedly registered a G-force spike of more than 150 Gs in the accident -- the hardest accident recorded since NASCAR began using crash data recorders last year. The hardest wreck previously had been Kyle Petty's crash at Bristol this year. That crash registered a G-force spike in the mid-80s.(News and Record)(5-26-2003)
Richmond, New Hampshire may get SAFER barrier AND: Jerry Nadeau's life-threatening crash during practice at Richmond and a record number of cautions in the Busch Series and Winston Cup races there raised questions about the progress of the SAFER wall system. A final test of the model for tighter-radius tracks was scheduled earlier in the week with NASCAR officials and engineers at the University of Nebraska. Though it will take 4-6 weeks to analyze the data, insiders say positive results are expected and that it is likely the SAFER system will be installed later this year at Richmond and New Hampshire -- tracks where straightaway speed is high, the corners are tight and require hard braking and there is little room or time to correct a car that gets out of shape. The SAFER system is used at Indianapolis, where data showed the energy-absorbing barrier reduced the impact of Winston Cup crashes by about 30%.(Sporting News)(5-6-2003)
AND Tuesday morning, engineers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are expected to crash-test a modified version of the impact-absorbing SAFER barrier wall on a full-scale replica of the tight turns found at Richmond International Raceway — site of an accident that caused serious injuries to driver Jerry Nadeau on Friday. Although the test comes only four days after the crash — Nadeau is listed in "serious but stable" condition at a Richmond, Va., hospital with head, lung and rib injuries — it is no rush job. The test was scheduled before the wreck, and Dean Sicking, director of the university's Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, says his team isn't feeling any additional pressure to move the project along. They already were moving as quickly as possible to adapt the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's barrier to fit other tracks. Sicking has heard accusations that NASCAR is dragging its feet on the project, but says that isn't true. "NASCAR has been encouraging us, pushing us as hard as they could," he says. "We don't see that at all."(USA Today)(5-6-2003)
Turns 3 &4 Repaved at New Hampshire UPDATE: repaving of the turns have begun at New Hampshire International Speedway on Monday with turns 3 and 4 taking 700 tons of asphalt. On Tuesday turns 1 and 2 are scheduled to be done. Supposedly in the near future, after the pavement cures, #24-Jeff Gordon and #20-Tony Stewart will test the new surface.(4-29-2003)
UPDATE: New Hampshire International Speedway was repaved again this week, well in advance of the Winston Cup race set for July 20. Track owner Bob Bahre said he had all four turns resurfaced this time. "I think it's going to work out well," he said. Bahre ordered the resurfacing even though the second Cup race at the track last September was contested without complaint. NASCAR's Busch series will provide the first test of the new surface, racing there July 19.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)
AND been told they ground out and repaved th three 12 foot sections of the turns from the bottom up and they paved into the straightaways so the transistion will be 'squared and even' and not angled, they may also be a Goodyear Tire test there before the Cup race in July.(5-2-2003)
New Hampshire Paving UPDATE: hearing that they will be doing a test strip at New Hampshire Intl Speedway this coming weekend and if all goes well and it takes, paving could take place next week.(4-17-2003)
UPDATE: If the weather cooperates in Loudon, N.H. this weekend, repaving may begin on the one-mile oval owned by Bob Bahre. The New England 300 is July 20.(FoxSports)(4-18-2003)
New Hampshire to start repaving soon: hearing that repaving of the turns at the New Hampshire International Speedway will start the week of April 14th.(3-26-2003)
UPDATE: As the New England racing season approaches don’t expect things to let down in Loudon anytime soon. Things are starting to come into full swing once again as the Magic Mile begins its repaving process in the corners of the New Hampshire International Speedway 1.058-mile oval. "Our original schedule was to do it some time in April," Ron Meade, NHIS’s director of new projects, said about repaving the corners, "and our basic intent was to repave the corners. I understand we’re going to get more snow. This time of year in New England is unpredictable, so we’re going to have to see how it goes." Here’s a quick history lesson about the past makeovers the NHIS racing surface has endured in recent history. NHIS widened the lower turn areas between turns 1 and 2 and between turns 3 and 4 in March 2002 to create a second groove that would make for safer, more exciting racing. Then in June cracks were found on the Magic Mile surface and NHIS owner Bob Bahre was forced to fix the problems with just three weeks for the surface to cure before the first Winston Cup race. Some said there was not enough time before the heavy Winston Cup cars came to town. During the Winston Cup race in July marbles built up in turns 3 and 4. Several drivers blamed the marbles for causing most of the 14 caution flags to fly. The Magic Mile isn’t getting a full blown facelift this year. It will be just getting some minor cosmetic surgery. "I don’t see paving as a safety issue," Meade said. "The Bahres always put safety to the forefront, but again this isn’t really a safety issue. It’s one of those things that has to be done." Completing the repaving process early in the spring will probably give the asphalt plenty of time to cure, but people will probably find something to complain about. So don’t automatically expect a ringing endorsement from the naysayers just yet.
There might be big news soon as the new Steel and Foam Energy Reduction walls are still awaiting approval from NASCAR. The SAFER barrier system, or as some people call them softwalls, are designed to lesson the impact of a crash. Bahre has made it known that if NASCAR deems the SAFER walls ready for action he will put them in. "I understand NASCAR is still evaluating them," Meade said. "I haven’t heard anything about them recently. There have only been about a dozen crash tests as I understand it and as you know there’s more than a dozen ways to crash a car. So NASCAR isn’t going to rush and they are going to do what makes sense and what is safe. You can be sure though that the second they give the okay New Hampshire International will be right there."(Foster's Online)(4-7-2003)
NASCAR not interested in moving NHIS races: Despite all of the problems at NHIS, sources said NASCAR is not interested in moving a Cup date from that venue. And published reports said tracks such as Kentucky Speedway, looking for a first Winston Cup date, or Kansas or California (Fontana), looking for a second date, might rent one from NHIS owner Bob Bahre. Bahre repeatedly said at Daytona he is not interested is renting a date.(Boston Herald)(2-23-2003)
Bahre not giving up a date, NHIS paving news: Bob Bahre, who owns New Hampshire International Speedway, says officials from Kentucky Speedway have come to him to discuss "leasing" a Winston Cup date, but Bahre says he has "no intention" of giving one up. "The July race is sold out, and the September race is almost sold out, so why should I take something away from the people who have been supporting us," Bahre said. Bahre said his plans to repave his one-mile track [thought it was just the corners?] were delayed by an early onset of winter, so he'll have to start the repaving operation in late March or early April.(Winston Salem Journal)(2-11-2003)
NHIS gets a title sponsor for Sept race UPDATE: Osram Sylvania today announced a major agreement with the New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS). Terms of the five-year agreement call for the industry’s innovation leader to provide sponsorship for the September Winston Cup Series race at NHIS. The event will be named the SYLVANIA 300. New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson joined Charlie Jerabek, president and CEO of OSRAM SYLVANIA, and Bob Bahre, chairman of NHIS, in making the announcement.(NHIS Site)
AND Financial terms were not announced. Sylvania bills itself as one of the world's largest lighting companies, but the printed announcement of the deal contained no mention of plans to light the track. The Concord Monitor reports that track owner Bob Bahre has an operating agreement that limits his racing hours to daytime because of noise concerns from area residents. Area officials told the paper that they had not heard of any plans to change the agreement.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-30-2003)
UPDATE: Bahre said he has “no intentions” of holding night races. Zoning restrictions in Loudon prevent him from starting a race after 7:30pm. Both of New Hampshire’s races will be carried live by NBC this summer and will likely start between noon and 1:30pm/et. Bahre said a sponsor is actively being pursued to claim title of the July Winston Cup race in the Granite State. Asked if a million dollars a year would do the trick, Bahre laughed and said, “You’d be a little light.” Bahre reiterated that his two Winston Cup dates are totally secure, but said he was surprised that NASCAR recently went public saying he could sell one of his dates to Kentucky. He said he is not interested in giving up a Cup race.(Union Leade)(1-31-2003)
New Hampshire Announcement? UPDATE 2: hearing that there will be some sore of announcement at the Park Plaza in Boston on Thursday, Jan 30th dealing with New Hampshire Intl Speedway and Media Alert-Sylvania. Supposedly it will give a boost to NASCAR and will have a direct impact on the Winston Cup races held at NHIS for years to come. Not sure what it is, maybe nameing rights to the track (like Lowe's Motor Speedway), doubt it would be for lights at teh track as teack owner Bob Bahre has promised locals around the track that he would no do that.
UPDATE: It appears that New Hampshire International Speedway has landed a sponsorship deal for at least one of the two NASCAR Winston Cup events for the future. Charlie Jerabek, president and CEO of OSRAM SYLVANIA, and Bob Bahre, president of NHIS, will be announcing the details of a multi-year agreement for New England’s largest sports facility next Thursday. The press conference, which will be held in Boston, will give a boost to the world of NASCAR and will have a direct impact on the Winston Cup Series races held at the Magic Mile for years to come. Ron Meade, Director of New Projects, would not comment on the details of the announcement Friday evening.(Foster's Online)
UPDATE2: Night racing at NHIS? It is not out of the realm of possibility, especially with NHIS set to make a major announcement with Sylvania Thursday, reportedly on a multiyear agreement. The speculation is that Sylvania will come aboard as a major event sponsor, but with NASCAR looking to air more races on prime-time television, it would seem to make sense for NHIS officials to hammer out a quid pro quo deal with Sylvania to outfit the track with lights. One of the track improvements Bahre expects to make this season is to resurface Turns 3 and 4, which have long been a source of frustration for drivers and track officials. "We'll do it the first of April," said Bahre, who reported that the Loudon track was blanketed by about 2 feet of snow. "We'll let it cure for about four months before the first race in July. It should be enough time." Last year, Bahre expanded the racing groove of his track and resurfaced it, but problems arose shortly after a Busch Series race in May.(Thatsracin.com)(1-26-2003)
New Hampshire Repaving in the spring? UPDATE: hearing the turns/corners at New Hampshire Intl Speedway will be ground down and resurfaced in the spring of 2003. It was reported in Sept by the Boston Globe the work would be done, but not sure when.(12-4-2002)
UPDATE: The repaving of the much-maligned corners at New Hampshire International Speedway, which was scheduled for this fall, has been postponed until the spring. Bob Bahre, chairman of the board and co-owner of the Loudon oval with his son Gary, said late last week that they decided to put off the work, originally slated for early November, until early April. The Bahre's track has been repeatedly criticized during the past few years because its long (1,500-foot) straightaways and tight, low-banked corners do not make for competitive Winston Cup races. Part of the problem is that since the track opened it 1990 and held its first Winston Cup race in 1993, the highly aerodynamic Cup cars are creating so much horsepower and downforce, the drivers find it nearly impossible to make a pass stick. The 3,400-pound cars and the radial tires have repeatedly done a number on the various compounds of asphalt the Bahres have used. The Bahres remain steadfast in not making any further changes to their track because they believe it is a different challenge from other tracks on the NASCAR circuit.(Boston Herald)(12-15-2002)
NHIS Corners to be ripped up and redone: It was reported by many drivers that the NHIS track was coming apart in the third and fourth in the same spot. Next year those problems will be rectified, according to Bahre, who plans to rip apart the turns and rebuild them.(Boston Globe), was even mentioned in a NASCAR show last week that they may concrete the turns, like Martinsville.(9-16-2002)
NHIS Coolers: Fans attending the New Hampshire 300 weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway from September 12 to September 15 are reminded that all coolers brought to the Speedway should not exceed the standard 14 inch measurement as per the usual Speedway policy. .All coolers brought on Speedway property are subject to inspection. The Speedway will also continue the policy of not allowing glass containers in the grandstand areas. The Speedway's free RV & Camper areas will open on Sunday, September 8 at 12:00pm. for those guests possessing tickets to the New Hampshire 300 weekend. Guests will be asked to present their tickets prior to entering the NHIS RV & Camper areas. The Speedway's free RV & Camper areas will be open 24 hours a day for our guests' convenience. As always, all RV's and Campers must be self-contained.(NHIS PR)(9-9-2002)
NHIS Owner admits mistakes, but says no changes for Sept, but could repave for 2003: New Hampshire International Speedway owner Bob Bahre acknowledges his track was at least partly to blame for conditions during July's New England 300 Winston Cup race. After that event, most Winston Cup drivers claimed that turns 3 and 4 were coming apart, causing multiple accidents. Tony Stewart called NHIS "a sandbox." Jerry Nadeau went a step farther, calling it "the worst racetrack I've ever raced on." At the time, Bahre defended his track, implying that the drivers who hadn't won were crybabies. He said that the drivers' tires, not his track, were to blame. The tires were coming apart and making things slick, he claimed. But Bahre has since changed his mind about NHIS's condition. He acknowledged this week that when turns 3 and 4 were repaved in June to fix minute cracks, the pavement was not given enough time to cure. As a result, the turns became slick during the race due to the heat, Bahre said. Bahre admits that problems remain with his track. It isn't 100 percent now, he acknowledged, and won't be next month either. Turns 3 and 4 haven't been repaved because they wouldn't have enough time to cure. Instead, Bahre said, Pike Industries used rubber tire rollers to pack down the turns during two or three hot days since the July event. "I don't think we'll have a problem," Bahre said. "I really don't." Meanwhile, Bahre will repave his track during the off-season. Again. This time, the entire track will get new pavement, not just turns 3 and 4.(Concord Monitor)
AND The owner of New Hampshire International Speedway said Wednesday he plans no changes for the Sept. 15 Winston Cup race. Bob Bahre, who defended the track after drivers complained the July 21 Winston Cup race was dangerous, said the only thing that has been done since then was to roll the track on a few hot days. “I don’t think we’ll have a problem,” Bahre said. He said he probably would repave at least part of the 1-mile oval after the September race.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(8-21-2002)
No Changes at NHIS: The owner of the New Hampshire International Speedway plans no changes to his course for another race in September despite harsh criticism of drivers, who called Sunday's Winston Cup race unsafe. "I'm not going to change anything," Bob Bahre said Monday. "I think the thing is in good shape. I talked to NASCAR Sunday night after the race and they said don't do anything before the September race. We'll see how it comes out."(Sporting News/AP)(7-23-2002)
NHIS and softwalls: Since the deaths of Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin in separate crashes here in 2000, New Hampshire International Speedway has been a focal point for NASCAR's discussion of safety issues. Several drivers criticized NASCAR for not having some kind of energy-absorbing barrier for the track's outside walls before the race in September 2000, after Petty had died in April and Irwin in July. As the Winston Cup circuit returns to New Hampshire this weekend, two years after the crash in which Irwin died, there still have been no changes to the walls. But in two weeks, when the circuit goes to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Cup cars will see a new generation of "soft wall" called the SAFER barrier in the four turns. New Hampshire International Speedway owner Bob Bahre has said he will install a SAFER (steel and foam energy-reducing) system at his track as soon as he gets approval from NASCAR, but the sanctioning body is proceeding cautiously.(See full story at ThatsRacin.com)(7-19-2002)
Coolers and Camping Info for NHIS: Fans attending the New England 300 weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway from July 18 to July 21 are reminded that all coolers brought to the Speedway should not exceed the standard 14 inch measurement as per the usual Speedway policy. .All coolers brought on Speedway property are subject to inspection.
The Speedway will also continue the policy of not allowing glass containers in the grandstand areas.
The Speedway's free RV & Camper areas will open on Sunday, July 14 at 12:00pm for those guests possessing tickets to the New England 300 weekend. Guests will be asked to present their tickets prior to entering the NHIS RV & Camper areas. The Speedway's free RV & Camper areas will be open 24 hours a day for our guests' convenience.
As always, all RV's and Campers must be self-contained.
For race and ticket information, please call Speedway Guest Services at (603) 783-4931.(NHIS PR)(7-15-2002)
NHIS Deal: Race fans attending the New England 300 NASCAR weekend on July 19-21 at New Hampshire International Speedway will receive something extra when they purchase their tickets. Bob's Stores in conjunction with Timberland footwear will provide a 10% discount for any sale or regular priced Timberland Pro Series item at their 34 stores in the Northeast. All the ticket holder needs to do is show their NHIS ticket back at a Bob's Store by August 20 to receive this discount.(NHIS PR)(7-11-2002)
Cracks fixed at NHIS: Hairline cracks in the new surface on Turns 3 and 4 at New Hampshire International Speedway were fixed last week, says track owner Bob Bahre. Back in March, both of the lower turn areas, between Turns 1 and 2 and Turns 3 and 4, were widened by 12 feet to create more racing room on the tight, 1.058-mile track. Many BGN drivers gave the improvements a thumbs-up after their race there in May. But the cracks were noticed recently, and Bahre moved to correct the problem. “Turns 1 and 2 were fine, but the test in the oil mixture on 3 and 4 didn't come out right,” he says. So the old section was ground out and resurfaced. The repairs forced cancellation of a Winston Cup test session, and the new asphalt has less than three weeks to cure before the Cup race there July 21. Bahre doesn't anticipate problems. “When the Cup cars come up here, you'll see a lot more passing after about 25 to 30 laps because of the new groove and the apron,” he says. . . . (Sporting News)(7-1-2002)
Cracks found at NHIS, testing cancelled UPDATE: An upcoming test session for Cup teams was canceled at the New Hampshire International Speedway after it was learned that hairline fractures were found in the newer portions of the track. There will now be no testing prior to next month’s Winston Cup event which is slated to begin July 19. NASCAR rules do not allow testing to be done seven days prior to a race. That means Winston Cup teams will not be able to practice on the newly reconfigured track before the race weekend. In April, both of the lower turn areas on the superspeedway were widened by 12 feet between Turns 1 and 2, and Turns 3 and 4 on the 1.058-mile oval, with the hopes of adding the second groove. The goal was to create more racing excitement with cars having more room to pass and opening the possibility of side-by-side racing. In recent years, NASCAR drivers had complained that it was too difficult to pass on the one-groove speedway. After May’s BGN race event, most drivers sung the praises of the changes. Fans were also treated to a more exciting brand of racing on the "Magic Mile" as cars were able to race side-by-side. But the hairline cracks were found recently in the newer racing groove between Turns 3 and 4, perhaps as a sign of stress or from an inferior mix of asphalt. In order to remedy the situation, Pike Industries of Belmont will repave the areas of the track in question in order to fix the cracks. Hopefully three weeks time will be adequate for the new pavement to cure before the Cup, CTS, BGN North, and Featherlite Modified Series races in July.(The Citizen)(6-26-2002)
UPDATE: New Hampshire International Speedway owner Bob Bahre said yesterday, "I don’t see any problems," said Bahre of how the resurfacing will effect the upcoming Winston Cup weekend. "We’re already done resurfacing it and we have to let it set for two weeks. There’s three weeks left until the race so we’re fine," as the track completed resurfacing on its track between Turns 3 and 4 on the 1.058-mile oval. Despite the recent resurfacing project Bahre is confident the track will be ready for the Cup Weekend which starts on July 19. In recent days hairline cracks were found in the new racing groove between Turns 3 and 4, perhaps as a sign of stress or from an inferior mix of asphalt. The discovery of the cracks led NHIS to cancel a NASCAR Winston Cup test session. In order to remedy the situation, Pike Industries of Belmont acted quickly. On Sunday Pike started grinding out the old areas of the track that were in question in order to fix the cracking. On Monday the work was completed at 4 p.m.— leaving just three weeks for the track surface to cure. Hopefully three weeks time will be adequate for the new pavement to cure before the 600 miles of racing scheduled for the traditionally busy July NASCAR weekend. In addition to the 300 mile Winston Cup event, NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck, Busch North, and Featherlite Modified Series will be in action. The resurfacing will still have an effect on next month’s Winston Cup event. There will be no testing prior to the New England 300 because of the resurfacing in Turns 3 and 4. NASCAR rules do not allow testing to be done seven days prior to a race. That means Winston Cup teams will not be able to practice on the newly reconfigured track before the race weekend and whoever can figure out the changes first will have a clear advantage during the race.(The Citizen)(6-27-2002)
2003 New Hampshire Date? hearing from readers that NHIS has sent out renewals for the July 2003 race and the date listed for the Cup race is July 20, 2003, this year it runs on July 21st, the same weekend.(6-11-2002)
No 'soft' wall at NHIS next month: NASCAR officials have asked the New Hampshire International Speedway to hold off on installing new "soft walls" until further testing determines they are as safe as possible for stock cars, track owner Bob Bahre said. That means the walls will not be in place for next month's Winston Cup race, and they may not be installed in time for September's race, either, Bahre said. The new walls, which consist of concrete padded with large foam blocks, already have been used in the Indianapolis 500. But stock-racing cars are heavier and act differently when hitting walls at high speed. "The engineer in charge of this wants to hold off on it, make a few changes," Bahre said. "We're gonna do what's right. NASCAR's anxious to get going on it. But he wants to develop something different." Bahre has already built up the track's apron and added a groove. He had hoped to install the soft walls, at a cost of about $300,000, before the New England 300 on July 21. At the Indy 500 earlier this year, where the soft walls where used for the first time, drivers raved about them. One car slammed head-on into a soft wall at 220 mph during a practice, but the driver escaped with minor injuries.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(6-10-2002)
New Hampshire wants SAFER walls: Bob Bahre wants to make his New Hampshire International Speedway the second track to install the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's new impact-absorbing wall, but he doesn't expect to get the go-ahead from NASCAR officials in time for the July 21 Winston Cup race. "The way it's going now, we won't have it done for the first race," Bahre says. Indy officials, with support from NASCAR, worked with the University of Nebraska to develop the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) system, which pads concrete walls with large foam blocks covered by metal guardrails. It earned positive reviews during its first real-world test in May for the Indianapolis 500. Despite several high-speed wrecks, nobody was seriously injured. Although Bahre is ready to begin construction, he says he does not believe NASCAR officials are dragging their feet on approval. A system that was designed for a 2.5-mile oval might need modifications to fit his 1-mile track.(USA Today)(6-6-2002)
New Hampshire to Add Softwalls? NHIS Owner Bob Bahre said he wants to install the steel and foam energy reducing (SAFER) barrier, already in place in the turns at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, at his track in time for the Winston Cup race there on July 21. "If NASCAR says yes, we’re going to do it," Bahre said. At Indianapolis, 4,240 feet of the concrete wall is fronted by 20-foot sections of the barrier, which is made of steel tubes backed by stacks of closed-cell polystyrene foam in a way designed to absorb some energy generated in racing crashes. NASCAR worked in conjunction with the Indy Racing League and the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, led by Dr. Dean Sicking, to develop the SAFER barrier. Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president for communications, said NASCAR wants to make sure the SAFER barrier is proper for use at tracks where stock cars compete before giving the go-ahead for installation. "NASCAR’s position is we’re listening to the experts and watching to see what happens at Indianapolis," Hunter said. "We want it to be right. The current generation that is up at Indianapolis is probably as close as we’ve ever been. It is designed for open-wheel cars, which are lighter than our cars and trucks…and there are some answers that Dean Sicking says he still needs to get about the application of the barrier for stock cars." Bahre said he will talk to NASCAR officials this weekend when the Grand National series races at his track, but doesn’t expect them to keep him from installing the barriers unless results at Indianapolis demonstrate a problem with the walls.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-8-2002)
New Hampshire to get 'soft walls'? Bob Bahre, who owns New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, said he's ready to install the soft walls as soon as he gets the OK from Daytona Beach [NASCAR], according to NASCAR sources. Drivers interviewed yesterday pointed to the first turn at Pocono as one obvious place for the new technology, and Ward Burton pointed to both long corners at Texas Motor Speedway as ripe for the soft walls. Burton said his crash there was more than 50 Gs.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-4-2002)
NHIS finishes construction: The modifications to New Hampshire International Speedway have been completed. This change adds an additional racing groove to The Magic Mile. The Speedway has cancelled the open NASCAR test session for the NASCAR Busch Series, Busch North Series, and Featherlite Modified Series teams on Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1. After consulting with Pike Industries of Hooksett, N.H., Speedway officials decided to allow the new paving additional time to cure before the Busch 200 & 125 on May 10-11.(NHIS PR)(4-25-2002)
NHIS Corner Images: check out NHIS Repaving for NASCAR for images of the work being done to the track.(4-22-2002)
New Hampshire starts work: Crews from Pike Paving in Tilton started work Monday on the New Hampshire International Speedway second racing groove project, which will extend the racing surface toward the infield area. Existing pavement in the corners was removed and work started in the new subsurface for the pavement, which will be laid down later this week. The change in the corners will not alter the 12-degree grade of the racing track but will create more opportunities for passing and side-by-side racing, which NHIS officials are hopeful will create more exciting racing. The asphalt to be used in the turns comes from Trinidad, where the hottest tar pits in the world are located. Track officials said it was sent to Germany for pre-treatment and only recently arrived, in pellet form, in New Hampshire. The new surface will get its first test runs April 30 and May 1 during an open NASCAR test session for the NASCAR Busch Series, Busch North Series and Featherlite Modified Series teams. The speedway opens its season with a NASCAR Busch Series and Busch North Series doubleheader on May 11.(Union Leader)(4-17-2002)
New Hampshire to Add a lane UPDATE: NHIS track owner Bob Bahre thinks he has a solution to the single-file NASCAR racing sometimes seen at so-called "flat" tracks such as his New Hampshire International Speedway: He plans to give drivers more room to pass each other. Bahre is planning to extend the bottom of each New Hampshire turn by 12 feet, essentially adding another racing lane. Bahre is optimistic the project will make passing easier and says it certainly won't hurt competition. "Let's say it doesn't work at all," he says. "It won't be any worse." In recent years, drivers have complained that it is difficult to pass on tracks such as New Hampshire, which has relatively flat 12-degree banking in its turns. Construction will begin next month and is scheduled to be completed in time for the May 11 BGN race.(USA Today)(3-27-2002)
UPDATE: New Hampshire International Speedway will widen both the lower turn areas of the 1.058 mile superspeedway in early April. This change will add an additional racing groove to "The Magic Mile". The Speedway has scheduled an open NASCAR test session for the NASCAR Busch Series, Busch North Series, and Featherlite Modified Series teams on Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1.. For the NASCAR Busch Series and Busch North Series teams, this will be an ideal opportunity to prepare for the May 11 NASCAR Doubleheader.(NHIS PR)(3-28-2002)
NHIS rumor resurfaces: once again hearing rumors about a sale of the New Hampshire International Speedway, supposedly some sort of announcement is forthcoming. This rumor has been afloat most of the 2001 season and has been denied by the Bahre's who currently own the race track(12-1-2001)
Tires at NHIS: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company announced today that the tires normally used at Martinsville will be the set for the delayed race at New Hampshire International Speedway. The tire codes used at Martinsville are D-5692 for the left side tires and D-5704 on the right side.(SpeedVision)(10-13-2001)
New Hampshire 300 Update: Been asked a few questions, got some answers about the lineup for the postponed New Hampshire 300 on Nov 23rd. Since the NHIS race was postponed, no qualifying attempts were made. Therefore, teams will obtain another provisional at the 32nd event of the year which will now be Phoenix, rather than Talladega (which would had been the 32nd race before the postponement). And the field for NHIS has been set. Should any team fail to show up at this event, NASCAR will not fill that team's vacancy. Therefore, a team doesn't show up (like the #27 that has suspended operations), NASCAR would start the race with less the 43 cars normally run in a Cup race. Any teams that have replaced drivers ( like the #4, #7, #12 and #31 teams) or will replace drivers in the timeframe between now and Nov 23rd, the new driver will start in the car, the field is set on Owners Points NOT Drivers Points, but will have to drop to the rear at the start of the race(10-3-2001)
NHIS Schedule: The schedule has been announced for the New Hampshire 300 at New Hampshire. The event, originally set to run on September 16, has been rescheduled for Friday, November 23. On track activities will begin on Friday, November 23 at 8:30am/et, as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series teams will have a 45-minute practice session. Pre-race activities will commence at 11:00am/et with the NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver introductions starting at 11:30am. At 12noon/et, #24-Jeff Gordon and #28-Ricky Rudd will lead a field of 43 starters to the green flag for the start of the New Hampshire 300, the final event of the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. The starting line-up for the New Hampshire 300 was determined by the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Owner Point Standings prior to September 16 in accordance with the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rule Book. Speedway gates will be open at 6:00am/et on Friday, November 23. All reserved grandstand tickets originally issued for the September 16 event date will be honored. For additional race information, please visit the Speedway's website at www.nhis.com or please call Speedway Guest Services at (603) 783-4931.(NHIS PR)(10-2-2001)
Jarrett comments on NH in Nov UPDATE 2 Helton comments: Dale Jarrett implored NASCAR to rethink its decision to race in New Hampshire on Nov. 23. "As good a tire as Goodyear makes, there’s no way we can make that hard tire hook up on that track in that kind of cold weather," Jarrett said. He also said he did not want to be away from home on Thanksgiving, calling it an important respite and a holiday that was meaningful to him. He proposed instead, that the New Hampshire race be held midweek between the events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Oct. 7 and Martinsville, Va., on Oct. 14. "Is there anyone who wants to go up there on Nov. 23?" he asked.(Gaston Gazette)(9-22-2001)
UPDATE: NASCAR vice president for communications Jim Hunter said that NASCAR has no plans to reconsider its decision to run the New Hampshire 300, postponed from last weekend, on Nov. 23 - the day after Thanksgiving. "As much as I hate to miss Thanksgiving with my family, I plan to be in New Hampshire," Hunter said. "We made that decision after thinking things through. We thought it was the best overall decision knowing that a lot of people are going to be inconvenienced." Hunter said NASCAR would continue to look at its scheduling options and how it might be able to avoid a similar problem in the future. The final 20 races of the 2002 season, however, are scheduled for 20 consecutive weekends just as they were this year.(That's Racin')(9-22-2001)
AND see a column at the Winston Salem Journal: NASCAR Mutiny? - Winston Cup teams are rebelling against new date for Loudon race and Practice? Winston Cup series director Gary Nelson he expects teams competing in the one-day season finale Nov. 23 at New Hampshire will be allowed some practice time earlier that morning. Several drivers have been critical of NASCAR's decision to hold the race on Thanksgiving weekend, after postponing the event last weekend following terrorist attacks Sept. 11 in New York City and Washington(That's Racin')(9-23-2001)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR President Mike Helton, growing tired of increasing criticism from race team members regarding the rescheduled New Hampshire race now planned for Thanksgiving weekend, tried to put the talk to rest during Sunday's prerace driver and crew chief meeting. "We will be racing on Friday, Nov. 23 in New Hampshire," Helton said sternly. "We had to make a decision and we are sticking to it."(That's Racin')(9-24-2001)
NHIS-TMS Swap? UPDATE 2: A source Wednesday night confirmed that Bruton Smith contacted Bob Bahre, owner of the New Hampshire track, over the weekend to offer to hold what is now scheduled to be the season's final race at Texas Motor Speedway, which is owned by Smith's Speedway Motorsports Inc. Smith would share the revenue from the race with Bahre, compensating Bahre for the loss of the date at his track. Smith, meanwhile, would get a second 2001 Cup race for his Texas track in the bargain. The discussions apparently haven't gone beyond the initial overture from Smith, and the chances of such a swap being made would appear remote. Smith and Bahre each got Cup dates for their tracks by buying 50 percent interest in North Wilkesboro Speedway and their standoff over that has kept the North Wilkesboro track idle. Since the new date for the New Hampshire race was announced, there have been many rumors about what might happen instead of Winston Cup going to New Hampshire on Thanksgiving weekend. Early this week there was talk that this weekend's race at Dover might switch with the postponed event. There has also been talk about a possible swap between Rockingham and New Hampshire and even some talk that the New Hampshire race would be canceled outright. By all appearances, however, New Hampshire International Speedway is progressing with plans to host the race in November. The track's public relations office sent e-mails to media representatives Wednesday asking them to reconfirm their plans to cover the event.(That's Racin')(9-20-2001)
UPDATE: Texas Motor Speedway owner Bruton Smith is trying to work out a financial agreement to purchase the rescheduled Nov. 23 NASCAR Winston Cup race at New Hampshire and move it to TMS, sources confirmed Wednesday. Smith, president of Speedway Motorsports Inc., which is the parent company of TMS, is negotiating with New Hampshire International Speedway chairman Bob Bahre about making the switch. Smith could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening. TMS general manager Eddie Gossage was contacted and said he had no comment.(Dallas Morning News)(9-20-2001)
UPDATE 2 - NO SWAP: New Hampshire International Speedway owner Bob Bahre said Thursday he has received an offer from Speedway Motorsports Inc. owner Bruton Smith to move Bahre's rescheduled race to Texas Motor Speedway, but Bahre said he has declined. Bahre confirmed he received two phone calls from Smith about the offer, which would include Smith sharing the revenue from a Texas race with Bahre, compensating him for the loss of the date at his track.(That's Racin')(9-20-2001)
NHIS Sold? to be reconfigured? lose a date? UPDATE 2 DENIED: hearing rumors once again that NHIS is going to be bought up by ISC (who owns Daytona IS and many other tracks NASCAR competes on) re-design NHIS into a more competitive track or move one of the race dates to another track(7-29-2001)
UPDATE - IMS to buy, 2nd Indy or Chicagoland Date? Word is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation has purchased New Hampshire International Speedway from the Bahre family. IMSC, whose principal Tony George has long been an ally of NASCAR chairman of the board Bill France and the International Speedway Corporation, whose board France also heads; may take one of NHIS's NASCAR Winston Cup race dates and move it to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, already the site of the lucrative Brickyard 400. Sources said the lone remaining Winston Cup event at NHIS would be held in the fall. The New Hampshire 300 -- the second Cup race at NHIS following the July 22 New England 300 -- is scheduled Sept. 16, 2001. Prior to the running of the July event, rumors of a sale were flying following reported "inventory" visits by several ISC higher-ups. At that weekend it was also noted by Bob Bahre, who built and operates the 1.058-mile NHIS with his son, Gary, that the annual NASCAR Busch Series event at NHIS would more than likely be moved to be held in conjunction with one of the Winston Cup events in 2002. Another possibility is raised by the partnership of IMSC and ISC in the operation of the Chicagoland could also be considered for a second date(NASCAR.com Buzz - for some reason NASCAR.com removed the story from their site, they now have a column up denying THEIR rumor)(8-15-2001)
UPDATE 2 Sale Denied: A New Hampshire International Speedway spokesman on Wednesday denied an Internet report that the track was being sold to the owners of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "I spoke to (track owner) Bob (Bahre) this morning and he said that's the first he's heard of it," said Fred Neergaard, public relations director at NHIS. "He said it is 100 percent false." The Bahre family owned track in Loudon, N.H., is a frequent subject of sale rumors. This latest one was reported on NASCAR.com and included speculation that the Indianapolis track's owners would take one of New Hampshire's Winston Cup dates to Indianapolis Motor Speedway or Chicagoland Speedway, in which the IMS company and International Speedway Corp. are partners. ISC is the company that owns tracks like Daytona, Talladega and Darlington and is a sister company to NASCAR. The Bahres, father Bob and son Gary, also own half interest in the track in North Wilkesboro, which sits idle because Bruton Smith's Speedway Motorsports Inc. owns the other half and the neither Smith nor the Bahres want to run that track without controlling interest.(That's Racin')(8-15-2001)
NHIS BGN race moved to September: Race car fans will only have to travel to Loudon for two weekends next year: The New Hampshire International Speedway will hold its BGN race, normally a May event, in September, the day before the New Hampshire 300. Owner Bob Bahre said the track moved the event to save fans and NASCAR inspectors the hassle of traveling to Loudon three times a year. In addition to moving the BGN race, the May Busch North Series race was eliminated entirely because the other two race weekends of the year already had Busch North Series events scheduled. NASCAR has not released the official schedule for next year, but Bahre said the speedway had already signed its contracts with the organization.(Concord Monitor), no exact date given for the BGN or Cup races(7-31-2001)
NHIS Sold? to be reconfigured? lose a date? UPDATE: hearing rumors once again that NHIS is going to be bought up by ISC (who owns Daytona IS and many other tracks NASCAR competes on) re-design NHIS into a more competitive track or move one of the race dates to another track(7-29-2001)
NHIS Testing: New Hampshire International Speedway on Monday, June 25th, will hold a NASCAR Open Test Session from 9:00am to 5:00pm/et. The testing session is open to teams from NASCAR Winston Cup Series; Busch North Series, NASCAR Touring; and Featherlite Modified Series, NASCAR Touring.(NHIS PR)(6-14-2001)
NHIS Later Start? Night Races at Dover? NBC and NASCAR, going after a larger West Coast audience, have moved the starting time of the Loudon, N.H., race next month to 2:00pm/et, and more such late afternoon starts appear to be coming. With the success of Fox' prime time coverage of last week's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, more prime-time Winston Cup events may be in the cards. Dover executives are looking at Saturday night races in the future(need to install lights), trying to capture some of the excitement of Bristol's night action(Winston Salem Journal)(6-5-2001)
NHIS to get sealed: On Monday following the BGN race today, Slurry Paving, Inc. of Richmond, VA, will apply a coat of sealer to the 1.058-mile New Hampshire International Speedway identical to the material applied to Richmond International Raceway prior to the 2001 Pontiac Excitement 400. The race track had its surface ground by a laser-guided milling machine in the weeks preceding this weekend and was called "the smoothest it's been since it was originally paved" by NHIS multi-divisional veteran Steve Park(NASCAR.com Buzz)(5-12-2001)
Plates at New Hampshire: NASCAR has no plans to use restrictor plates during Busch Series events this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway, and it has not made a decision on whether it will use them in the Winston Cup race July 22.(SpeedVision). Back in February it was reported that "Helton also said that restrictor plates won't return to New Hampshire, where NASCAR used them for the first time last year. "We've got some other things we're looking at to do in general on the race cars," Helton said without elaboration(see below for the full story)(5-11-2001)
New Hampshire does some work: NHIS officials coated the entire track with sealant. According to track owner Bob Bahre, the procedure is done every three years to help preserve the track and give drivers better handling in the corners. The coating comes following the deaths of NASCAR drivers Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin last season. Both drivers were killed in practice crashes when their cars slammed into the wall in the track’s third turn. Despite the deaths of the two drivers, Bahre said the procedure had nothing to do with the accidents. After the NASCAR test sessions in April, a few of the drivers said they thought there were a few bumps on the speedway. NHIS brought in an engineering firm from Kansas City experienced in racetrack profiling to check the speedway. They detected some insignificant bumps over the tunnel and in Turns 3 and 4. Although the bumps were slight, NHIS officials had them removed(Foster's Online). No word or mention on the rumor that the walls were being confiured in some of the turns(see my Track News and Link page for past news)(5-9-2001)
NHIS configuring Walls? The outside wall at the entrance to the first and third turns at New Hampshire Speedway is being redesigned, according to NASCAR sources, for next weekend's Busch race at Loudon. That's where Adam Petty was killed one year ago(Winston Salem Journal)(5-5-2001)
No Changes in the Restrictor Plate UPDATE 3: NASCAR president Mike Helton said Monday that its unlikely NASCAR will give Winston Cup cars a larger restrictor plate - with 1-inch openings instead the 15/16ths of a inch the cars tested with last month - once Daytona 500 preparations begin. Ray Evernham said over the weekend that he suspected the larger plates might be used if speeds aren't a little higher than those in the 182 mph range seen in testing. ALSO, NASCAR does not plan to put restrictor plates on the trucks that will race at Daytona on Feb. 16th. That could change, however, if the trucks go faster than they're expected to in practice and qualifying(That's Racin')(2-6-2001)
UPDATE: NASCAR officials, sources say, will announce tomorrow(Friday) the use of larger restrictor plates for Winston Cup cars at the Daytona 500(Toronto Sun)(2-8-2001)
UPDATE 2: ESPN2's RPM 2Night reports that NASCAR won't make any changes to the restrictor plate until after the Budweiser Shootout on Sunday (Feb 11th 2:00pm/et), using the race as a test for the courrent rules....BUT from Speed Magazine - Team owner Ray Evernham mentioned that NASCAR might change the size of the holes in the restrictor plates this weekend at Daytona. NASCAR president Mike Helton said he had no intentions of changing the size of the holes, currently at 15/16 of an inch, to a 1-inch hole. "I don't know where that came from," Helton said. "We're pretty happy with the package. It's unlikely (we will change). It's not out of the question." Helton also said that restrictor plates won't return to New Hampshire, where NASCAR used them for the first time last year. "We've got some other things we're looking at to do in general on the race cars," Helton said without elaboration(Speed Magazine)(2-9-2001)
NHIS not to be sold: Bob and Gary Bahre flatly denied any sale of the track was being discussed with IMS owner Tony George. The Bahre's share ownership of the track 50/50. The meetings that took place with Tony George were to discuss bringing open wheel racing back to NHIS. George wants to be sure NHIS will come back in should a CART/IRL unification ever take place. The Bahres also want open racing to return to their track and will work with George to get it done should the opportunity present itself(Boston Herald)(9-10-2000)
Track Lawsuit (NHIS) UPDATE 2 Dismissed...not??: The former owner of Oxford Plains Speedway and a group of investors filed a 14-count lawsuit against New Hampshire International Speedway owner, Bob Barhre and NASCAR in U.S. District Court late Friday, alleging that the defendants’ behavior caused irreparable harm to the local motorsports facility. According to court documents, Michael A. Liberty and his partners accuse Robert Bahre of Paris and NASCAR, a racing organization based in Daytona Beach, FL., of violating anti-trust laws, racketeering, fraud, interference with advantageous relationships, conspiracy, breach of contract and breach of duty. The suit alleges that the conduct ultimately forced Liberty to sell his majority ownership to William Ryan Jr. in November 1998, three years after the dissolution of the American-Canadian Tour, and absence of an organizational sanction effectively ended “competitive stock car racing” at OPS. The release did not specify what the plaintiffs are seeking. The essence of the suit claims the defendants have restrained competition in stock car racing and specifically set out to cripple OPS(Lewiston Sun Journal/Boston Globe-AP)(4-24-2000)
UPDATE dismissed: The lawsuit pitting former Oxford Plains Speedway owner Michael A. Liberty and his team of investors against NASCAR and New Hampshire International Speedway chairman Robert Bahre has been dropped. A clerk at the U.S. District Court in Portland confirmed this week that the case was “voluntarily dismissed” on Aug. 21, four months to the day it was filed(Lewiston Sun Journal)(8-25-2000)
UPDATE 2 not dismissed? The National Speed Sport News is reporting: Michael Liberty's lawsuit against New Hampshire Int'l Speedway switched venues. Liberty, the former owner of Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine, alleges NHIS owner Bob Bahre conspired with NASCAR to benefit NHIS at the expense of Oxford Plains. Liberty, who filed suit in Federal Court in April, moved the suit from federal to state court. Bahre had never been served with the federal lawsuit. In refiling the suit in Cumberland County Superior Court, it was also modified not to include charges of racketeering and antitrust. Liberty's attorneys claim those charges were drawing attention away from the main charges of breach of contract and fraud.(9-5-2000)
NHIS Purse: The Posted Awards for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Dura Lube 300 Sponsored by Kmart at New Hampshire International Speedway on September 17 have reached a record total of $2,924,681.(NHIS PR)(8-24-2000)
NHIS Grand Marshal: David Hall, President of The Nashville Network (TNN) has been named as Grand Marshal for the Dura Lube 300 Sponsored by Kmart Cup race at New Hampshire on September 17. TNN has televised mant NHIS events since the track opened in 1990(NHIS PR)(8-20-2000)
NHIS Sponsor: Dura Lube and Kmart will return as the name and title sponsors for the fall Cup race at New Hampshire on September 17. The event will be known as the Dura Lube 300 Sponsored by Kmart. This marks the second consecutive year that Dura Lube and Kmart will sponsor the race(NHIS PR)(8-17-2000)
NHIS and George? Although there have been no indications that a sale is imminent, sources close to the situation insist that Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George has offered Bob Bahre $180 million for New Hampshire International Speedway(Gaston Gazette)(7-21-2000)
Bahre to Sell? Bob Bahre, the Maine promoter who built and owns New Hampshire International Speedway, is talking with Tony George about George's buying the track, according to NASCAR sources. George, the president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and NASCAR's Bill France, whose family owns controlling interest in the International Speedway Corporation, have several joint business ventures, including joint ownership of the new Chicagoland Speedway(PitNow)(7-10-2000)
thatlook.com 300 thatlook.com and New Hampshire International Speedway announced a marketing partnership that will include sponsorship of the track's NASCAR racing events for this upcoming July 7-9,2000 weekend. "We are pleased to have our first dot com company join us as name and title sponsor of the thatlook.com 300 NASCAR Winston Cup race as well as our entire race weekend here at The Magic Mile," said NHIS President Gary Bahre. thatlook.com is an experienced national service group assisting individuals to obtain affordable and convenient elective cosmetic surgery to improve their physical appearance(NHIS PR)(7-5-2000)
NHIS Grand Marshall: Well-known television broadcaster Ken Squier has been named the Grand Marshall for the July 9 New England 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. A life-long friend to motorsports, Squier has gained national acclaim as the voice of CBS’s auto racing coverage. Squier is a partner in the television production firm World Sports, owns a group of five radio stations in Vermont, and also owns the Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Vermont(PR)(7-4-2000)
NHIS Lawsuit Story: Nasty turn at NHIS - Rival charges Bahre with fraud, files suit by Allen Lessels(5-15-2000)
Fayetteville Observer: Lawsuit win carries big cost for Smith by Thomas Pope(4-29-2000)
Track Lawsuit: The former owner of Oxford Plains Speedway and a group of investors filed a 14-count lawsuit against New Hampshire International Speedway owner, Bob Barhre and NASCAR in U.S. District Court late Friday, alleging that the defendants’ behavior caused irreparable harm to the local motorsports facility. According to court documents, Michael A. Liberty and his partners accuse Robert Bahre of Paris and NASCAR, a racing organization based in Daytona Beach, FL., of violating anti-trust laws, racketeering, fraud, interference with advantageous relationships, conspiracy, breach of contract and breach of duty. The suit alleges that the conduct ultimately forced Liberty to sell his majority ownership to William Ryan Jr. in November 1998, three years after the dissolution of the American-Canadian Tour, and absence of an organizational sanction effectively ended “competitive stock car racing” at OPS. The release did not specify what the plaintiffs are seeking. The essence of the suit claims the defendants have restrained competition in stock car racing and specifically set out to cripple OPS(Lewiston Sun Journal/Foster’s Sunday Citizen/Boston Globe-AP)(4-24-2000)
NHIS News UPDATE: hearing that WMUR channel 9 sports reported that the lawsuit brought against the town of Loudon by Canterbury residents was ruled in Loudons favor so New Hampshire International Speedway can proceed with their 9000 seat expansion(many readers) -- UPDATE: A County Superior Court judge yesterday threw out a claim that adding 9,000 seats to the New Hampshire International Speedway would increase noise. She also disagreed with Canterbury residents who said the track has not worked with area communities to control traffic. The decision clears the way for the speedway to erect the 9,000-seat grandstand, which could be ready this spring. The seats will be custom-made at a factory in New York, said track owner Bob Bahre(Concord Monitor(NH))(12-17-1999)
Mufflers at NHIS??? To stop the noise of speeding cars at New Hampshire International Speedway and address traffic, Canterbury residents have come up with three possible solutions: equipping cars with mufflers, enclosing the track with a dome or scaling back the number of events. Within 10 years, residents do not want to hear a sound from the speedway. They're willing to get to that point gradually. Initially, they want 106 days of quiet during the 214-day season; by 2005, 160 days; then, the full 214. Oral arguments in the case were delivered yesterday at Merrimack County Superior Court before Judge Kathleen McGuire. Canterbury residents filed the lawsuit in December 1997, arguing the Loudon Planning Board had not adequately addressed noise and traffic problems caused by the track when it approved the 9,000-seat expansion. A decision on the case could take up to 60 days(Concord Monitor)(12-9-1999)
More NHIS News: on Wednesday, Dec 8th, a Superior Court judge will listen to all sides of expansion of the New Hampshire International Speedway dispute and render a decision. When that decision will come is anyone's guess. Optimists hope it will take a few days, while the more cautious anticipate that it could take up to two months(Concord Monitor)(12-7-1999)
NHIS News: State environmental regulators and the owners of the New Hampshire International Speedway reached agreement Friday on a wetlands permit that will allow the expansion of parking areas. The speedway wants to fill about 10 acres of wetlands in its current parking areas, that would free about 40 acres of land for additional parking(Foster's Daily Democrat)(12-6-1999)
NHIS AP Story: Speedway blasts state over holdup in expansion. A lobbyist for the New Hampshire International Speedway has accused state environmental officials of dragging their feet in approving a planned expansion(Boston Globe)(12-2-1999)
NHIS Sold? UPDATE 2 NOPE: hearing that New Hampshire International Speedway has been sold to ISC(Daytona/Frances)? But have seen no confirms or stories on it(10-15-1999) -- UPDATE: folks from NHIS are saying this is not true(10-17-1999) --UPDATE 2: sources tell me that track owner Bob Bahre has denied the rumor that NHIS is for sale BUT The owner of the mile track in Loudon, Bob Bahre, is reportedly negotiating a sale with the Daytona-based and NASCAR-affiliated company that will soon control a majority of the tracks on the Winston Cup circuit. ISC’s merger with Penske Motorsports earlier this year put the tracks at Rockingham, Michigan and California in a consortium that already included Daytona, Talladega, Darlington, Watkins Glen, Homestead and Phoenix. ISC is also building a track near Kansas City and is partner in a company that is developing a Chicago-area facility. ISC is believed to be interested in the Richmond track as well(Gaston Gazette-one day link)(10-22-1999) -- UPDATE: NHIS Chairman Bob Bahre said Oct 29th there was no truth to rumors that he was looking to sell the track. The rumor apparently started because Gary Bahre, Bob's son, has been diagnosed with a rare lung disease. Gary has fought the disease and has returned to work and says he is doing well and that he and his father have no intentions of selling the track (Winston Cup Scene)(11-5-1999)
NHIS Road Approved: New Hampshire International Speedway has permission to build a new access road on the north side of the property and NHIS officials say it could be completed in time for the July 11 Winston Cup race. Also in the same story: NHIS has a new public relations director. Fred Neergaard of Concord, N.H., takes over this week for Lorraine Faford, who held the post for the last five years. Faford is moving to Portland, Ore., to pursue other opportunities in the public relations field Neergaard ran NHIS's infield media center during race weekend before his promotion(Providence Journal)(6-11-1999)
NHIS/Kentucky more: Reports emerged Saturday(5/15) that a Kentucky businessman is willing to dismantle and relocate NHIS with Bob Bahre retaining ownership and continuing to operate it. What is interesting, is that there is a 68,000 seat speedway being built in that state and the mysterious businessman reportedly has no connection to that facility. Bahre says that he has no plans to move the track (well, the grandstands etc.) and wants to stay on Route 106 despite a costly legal battle with Canturbury over a 9,000 seat addition(Left Turn Speedletter/Nashua Telegraph)(5-20-1999)
Kentucky/New Hampshire? Lost in all the hubbub over a Kentucky-based operation trying to woo New Hampshire International Speedway to the Bluegrass State was a merger signed earlier this week between International Speedway Corporation and Penske Motorsports that puts 10 major tracks and 14 Winston Cup races under the ISC banner(Concord Monitor) Didn't see the story about Kentucky/NHIS but what I hear is that Owners of the Kentucky track are rumored to be trying to buy the NHIS and move one or both of it's Cup dates to the Kentucky Speedway, but I have seen no stories to this effect myself(5-18-1999)
NHIS News: The Manchester Union Leader reported this weekend that the management of the NHIS in Loudon has asked NASCAR for a date change. Track officials would like to move their annual BGN event from a stand-alone event in May to a companion event with either of the Winston Cup Series races held at the track in July and September. In recent years, the May BGN race at the track has been plagued by bad weather and poor attendance. Track officials have also requested the same change be made for the track's annual Truck race held in August(PowerTeam Page)(5-11-1999)
NHIS Seats: In part from the Concord Monitor - The state(New Hampshire) should have the authority to build a road in Canterbury leading into the New Hampshire International Speedway(Loudon) - regardless of what Canterbury wants - according to many lawmakers who testified yesterday at a legislative hearing. The speedway, an upstanding corporate citizen that draws tourists into the state, deserves an exception to the principle of local control, according to Sen. Fred King, a Republican from Colebrook who sponsored the bill. The five-lane road would widen and straighten a small, curving road that extends from Route 106 toward the track, linking the highway to a proposed 876-car parking lot. The new road would ease gridlock during summer races, according to the bill's supporters. In January, Canterbury Planning Board members approved the project, but required the track to study how cutting down trees and leveling a small hill to build the road might affect noise levels. A recent decision by the Loudon Planning Board to approve a 9,000-seat expansion of the speedway's grandstands is being appealed to the Loudon Zoning Board by more than a dozen residents(18 from what I hear) of Canterbury and nearby towns. See the resy of the story at: Lawmakers seek alternate path for NHIS road (Thanks Steve and Angie)(3-25-1999)
Loudon Seats: A few readers emailed me that they got their 1999 confirmations and enclosed was the following - "NHIS had hoped to be able to increase the seating capacity in 1999. We had the necessary approvals from the town of Loudon for 9000 new seats. Unfortunately some neighbors from the town of Canterbury have brought suit to block the expansion. We are, however anticipating the additions in 2000 which we hope will help us fill more change requests."(3-13-1999)
New Hampshire Seats: The town's(Loudon) recent decision to allow a 9,000-seat expansion at the New Hampshire International Speedway broke the town's own zoning ordinances, according to an appeal filed yesterday with the Loudon Zoning Board of Adjustment. See complete story at Loudon residents appeal NHIS vote(Concord Monitor)(2-12-1999)
Loudon more seats: A little more than a week ago, the Loudon Planning Board approved another expansion at New Hampshire International Speedway. That means as soon as the snow melts, work will start on the construction of about 9,000 more seats, bringing the speedway's total to 91,000. See the rest of this story at If NHIS builds it, the fans will come(Concord-NH Monitor)(2-5-1999)
The New Hampshire 300 is now the Farm Aid On CMT 300. Title sponsorship of the upcoming Winston Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway was announced today. See the rest of the story at TNN's Motorsports Site.(TNN)(8-6-98)
"Canterbury officials say expansion plans for the New Hampshire International Speedway shouldn't be given final approval until noise and traffic studies are done. Canterbury Planning Board Vice Chairman Dan Crean says the studies are needed, especially because of the track's goal is to eventually expand to 110-thousand seats. The officials say their goal isn't to stop the expansion, but to work with Loudon and track officials to ensure it doesn't adversely affect neighboring towns. The track presented a preliminary site plan for the expansion to the board yesterday. That would bring the track's seating capacity to 91-thousand in 1999. It already has received approval for adding four-thousand seats next year."(Chaz Hinkle via the New Hampshire News)(11-21-97)
From a reader: "The September Loudon race(that replaced the N. Wilkesboro race} tickets have been printed. These tickets to the inaugural September race feature Enoch Staley on them. It is printed right on the ticket that this race is dedicated to Enoch Staley, NASCAR Pioneer - Founder of North Wilkesboro Speedway. This shows alot of class from the guy who has kept his promise to the Staley family, that he would never allow Bruton Smith to gain control of their track"(but took one of the dates from the track)(7-20-97)
Rich from NH tells me: For the Louden WC race at NHIS, all traffic coming from the south on Rt. 106 will be required to use the new entrance, unless they are employees or have a valid handicap sticker. There will be a new 1.6 mile access road which is 5 lanes wide that goes on the perimeter of the parking areas! If coming from the north on Rt.106 it will be the same as in the past entering the north gate, but all RV's will be required to use the new south entrance. Hope this helps(7-1-97). More info on NHIS traffic... this year... the parking will be first in, first out. In pass years, they filled the back parking lot first, so the first people into the track ended up being the last to be able to leave. Now it will be the first cars in will be in the front lots(thanks Cheryl)(7-2-97)

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