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)
