New England’s only NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) weekend is set for Aug. 21-23 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS). Nearly 40 NASCAR Cup Series drivers will come to New Hampshire Motor Speedway to compete in the Aug. 23 Dollar Tree 301, and it's the passion of the fans that drives them.
Tickets for New England's only NASCAR Cup Series weekend, which also includes the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Whelen Modified Tour, are available for purchase at NHMS.com.
Earlier this year, we asked the NCS drivers what they will look forward to most when they come to NHMS for the Dollar Tree 301, and many look forward to feeling the energy and passion that emanates from New England NASCAR fans:
Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, said, “Well, I think, from a race car driver, the things that we thrive off of is the passion that fans have, and when we go to New England, I’m biased. I’m from Connecticut, and I’ve lived up there most of my life. Really, it’s the passion the race fans have. So if you’re somebody not even from that area and you go up there, you’re going to quickly learn how much New England race fans love racing as well as they’re going to make you enjoy it as well.”
Chase Elliott, Driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, commented, “There’s always been a lot of electricity up there and a lot of energy and excitement to have us, and we feel that. I think anytime you go somewhere and you feel that genuine excitement that they’re happy to have us there, it definitely radiates inside the garage, and I’ve enjoyed that over the years, especially going from two races up there to one, I think you felt that more, which made it kind of cool.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, noted, “Overall, just the fans of the Northeast are just always, you know, come out in big numbers, and New Hampshire is one of those tracks where you can feel the atmosphere. Even though it’s a one-mile track, they know when we’re in town, and you see them come out in big numbers.”
Bubba Wallace, Driver of the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota, stated, “We’ve always appreciated the fan interaction. Really genuine, passionate up there.”
Ryan Blaney, Driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford, said, “I can only imagine being cooped up for four months at a time when they’re snowed in by five feet of snow, and they’re looking forward to summertime when it melts, you know, whether it’s when we go up there, they have a lot of great local short tracks, big modified fans up there too, that’s a huge area for that.”
Alex Bowman, Driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, mentioned, “It is typically packed. The fans there definitely turn out.”
Chase Briscoe, Driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, expressed, “I would want to experience just the atmosphere that is New Hampshire, for one, like, it’s always packed.”
Kyle Larson, Driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, agreed, “That place is always packed, so the fans love it for sure.”
Carson Hocevar, Driver of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, added, “Everybody gets pretty rowdy there.”
New England’s only NCS weekend is Aug. 21-23 at NHMS. On-track action kicks off Friday with practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) plus SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels at The Flat Track. The action continues on Doubleheader Saturday with the Team EJP 175 NCTS race and the Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race following NCS practice and qualifying. The on-track action culminates Sunday with the Dollar Tree 301 NCS race. Don’t miss all of the exciting off-track entertainment including the “The Magic Mile” Happy Hour Show, Trackside Live, The Groove fan hangout, concerts from Everybody Wants Some and Tim Dugger, Family Movie Night featuring “Zootopia 2,” driver appearances, fireworks and much more.
For a full NASCAR weekend schedule, visit NHMS.com/Events/NASCAR-Cup-Series/Schedule/
For tickets and camping for New England’s only NCS weekend, featuring the Dollar Tree 301 NCS race, Team EJP 175 NCTS race, Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race and SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels, fans should visit NHMS.com or call 833-4LOUDON. Tickets for kids 12 and under are just $10 on Sunday, free on Doubleheader Saturday and start at $10 on Friday.
