This Week In Auto Racing June 27 - June 29 Jun 26, 2008
Lenox Industrials Tool 301 - New Hampshire International Speedway - Loudon, NH It was just six weeks ago that Matt Kenseth was seemingly out of the "Chase for the Sprint Cup." Just after the race at Richmond in early May, the No.17 Roush Fenway Racing driver was mired in 22nd place more than 200 points behind the 12th and final position in the "playoffs." But Kenseth, who along with Jimmie Johnson are the only drivers to make the "Chase" in each of the first four years, began his push with a... (ABC 7 News, DC)
Kalitta's team to race this week Jun 25, 2008
NEW GIG:@ Steve Letarte, Jeff Gordon's crew chief, will join ESPN's NASCAR team coverage of Saturday's Nationwide Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway. It will be the TV debut for Letarte, a native of Maine and Gordon's crew chief since September 2005. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
NASCAR Nation Jun 22, 2008
058-mile oval and then put thousands of seats around it (the total capacity is now 105,491), and he did so without even the whisper of a promise from NASCAR that New Hampshire International Speedway - now New Hampshire Motor Speedway - ever would get a big-time race to run on it. The sport was exploding, and it outgrew its roots, and Loudon began to look more and more like a destination. (Boston Globe)
Biffle 'really close' to contract extension Jun 21, 2008
Biffle said Friday he hopes to finalize a deal this week and announce it at next week's race at New Hampshire International Speedway. We're really close to having it done. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Benson takes truck series win Jun 21, 2008
that he hopes to finalize a deal this week and announce it at next week's race at New Hampshire International Speedway. "We're really close to having it done. I've said that for a while now. But I think we're down just to getting it signed, more than anything," Biffle said. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Search BostonHerald.com for Past 7 days Archives Jun 5, 2008
Exum attended his first NASCAR event in 1995 at New Hampshire International Speedway and has been obsessed ever since. He also works for Herald Interactive as an online editor and is a member of the National Motorsports Press Association. (Boston Herald)
Andretti youngest IndyCar pole winner Jun 1, 2008
It was July 1992 when Bobby Rahal beat out Michael Andretti for the pole at New Hampshire International Speedway. The family order was reversed on Saturday, with 21-year-old Marco Andretti knocking 19-year-old Graham Rahal off the pole in qualifying for the ABC Supply A.J. Foyt 225 at the Milwaukee Mile. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Fans are impatient with Earnhardt's results Apr 10, 2008
As the most-popular driver in NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is concerned with the amount of attention -- and blame -- his team gets every weekend. When he doesn't win, crew chief Tony Eury Jr. often is the brunt of the criticism. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Notebook: Smith still wants second Vegas race date Mar 1, 2008
Smith purchased New Hampshire International Speedway last year, and there's been speculation that he'd move one of that track's two dates to Vegas. But he dismissed that notion, again insisting that he wants NASCAR to give him a date and not force him to take one from another track. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Vegas angles for second Cup date Mar 1, 2008
"I feel like we have earned that right. Maybe they will feel sorry for us one day and give us another date. You may consider it wishful thinking on my part, but I just want to bring up the fact that that have never given me a date."Smith purchased New Hampshire International Speedway last year, and there's been speculation that he'd move one of that track's two dates to Vegas. But he dismissed that notion, again insisting that he wants NASCAR to give him a date and not force him to take one from... (News & Observer -- Sports)
Big box landowner eyes tough town Feb 15, 2008
Bahre formerly owned Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine and New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, N.H., but sold them, the latter for $340 million last fall. Bahre said if he cant do business in Belfast, he and his son will sit on the land while its value increases. (Courier Publications, ME)
Speedway's new owner moving forward with renovations Feb 11, 2008
LOUDON, N.H. (AP) -- The new owner of the New Hampshire International Speedway is known for making big changes fast when he takes over a track, but officials say short-term plans call are limited to cosmetic upgrades. In the month since O. Bruton Smith's Speedway Motorsports, Inc., closed on the $340 million sale, the company has had architects and engineers survey the property to better understand what renovations can be made to make it a world-class sports facility, said Jerry Gappens, general... (Concord Monitor)
Big box zone buyer wants to build Feb 1, 2008
In the past, he and his son Gary had owned two racetracks Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, which he sold in 1986, and New Hampshire International Speedway in Louden, N.H., which he sold last fall for $340 million. Bahre said he isnt considering a racetrack for Belfast. (Courier Publications, ME)
Oxford company new owner of Route 3 Les Hills property Jan 31, 2008
Bahre was the former owner of the Oxford Plains Speedway and, more recently, the New Hampshire International Speedway. sold the property to the Bahres Dec. 27. (Courier Publications, ME)
Jimmie Johnson Biography Jan 26, 2008
He won the Coca Cola 600, as well as The Winston All-Star event, and he swept the two races held at the New Hampshire International Speedway. Along with the three victories, Johnson scored 14 top 5 finishes and 20 top 10 finishes. (Suite101.com)
It's time for the annual media tour. No exclusives, but plenty of good stories. Jan 22, 2008
Later that evening, Gappens, who is now head of New Hampshire International Speedway, was pleased -- and perplexed -- to inform us that although only four pistons were reported missing, five had turned up. One other memorable occasion was an announcement by former Daytona 500- winner Derrike Cope, whose sponsor was a processed meat company. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Dale Jr. pays new team surprise visit at testing Jan 8, 2008
"We'd show up at the racetrack with a recommended setup, and we couldn't adjust," said Biffle, recalling his disgust at being the slowest car on the track in practice for a midseason race at New Hampshire International Speedway. Biffle is hoping to build on the momentum of four top-10 finishes in the final nine races of 2007. (USA Today -- Sports)
2008 Sprint Cup Series Dec 30, 2007
New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon ... New Hampshire International Speedway ... New Hampshire International Speedway. (USA Today -- Sports)
International Speedway to take 4Q charge on SMI venture Dec 14, 2007
The company has agreed to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway for $340 million. Latest News. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Otts Volunteer At Pettys Victory Junction Camp Dec 8, 2007
Their weekend was spent volunteering at the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C., a facility built by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his wife, Patty, in honor of their son, Adam, who was killed May 2000 while practicing for the New Hampshire International Speedway event. It was Adam s dream to open a facility like this, which caters to children with various diseases, ages 7 to 15, that the Pettys followed through and in June 2004, the doors opened on the 72-acre plot donated by Richard... (Fulton County News, PA)
Coke revs up NASCAR sponsorship Dec 8, 2007
The company has agreed to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway for $340 million. Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) is based in Atlanta. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Toyota has champagne wishes, revved-up outlook for next year Nov 26, 2007
" A 2007 to forget Toyota's 2007 Cup performance failed to live up to expectations for a manufacturer that has enjoyed success in other racing series. Toyota did capture its second consecutive manufacturers' title in the Craftsman Truck Series, where drivers and combined for nine wins. The Cup program stumbled out of the gate at Daytona, where Toyota's marquee team, Racing, was penalized for an illegal substance in an intake manifold. Only Blaney, running for Bill Davis Racing, was able to... (USA Today -- Sports)
Maine auto racing hall to honor Walker, Dipompo, Dick Bahre Nov 21, 2007
Dick Bahre - Worked side by side with brother Bob Bahre at Oxford Plains Speedway for more than 25 years and in building New Hampshire International Speedway; entered cars in NASCAR Cup Series and Late Model Sportsman division for about 20 years; brother Bob was a member of the inaugural class inducted into the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2004. Tony Dipompo - Owned cars driven by brother Bobby in the 1960s and Al Hammond in the 1970s at Oxford; won championships with Al Hammond 1973 and... (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
France: NASCAR is not on the block Nov 19, 2007
"NHIS switch could come in '09France doesn't anticipate Speedway Motorsport Inc.'s purchase of New Hampshire International Speedway for $340 million to have any immediate impact on the future of the Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship, saying Bruton Smith, SMI's 80-year-old chairman and CEO, is not able to move any of his Cup dates without NASCAR's approval.While New Hampshire's two Cup dates, including the Sylvania 300, which serves as the launching point of the Chase, are set for 2008,... (Boston Globe)
So far, so good: A race-by race summary Nov 15, 2007
Sept. 16, New Hampshire International Speedway. More on auto racing. (The Palm Beach Post)
Legal document could bind new owner of NHIS track Nov 13, 2007
LOUDON A legal agreement limiting alcohol sales and banning concerts, night racing and drag racing at New Hampshire International Speedway could tie the hands of the track's new owner, Texas racing magnate O. Bruton Smith. Smith announced the purchase of the NASCAR track from owner Bob Bahre for $340 million on Nov. 2. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
BB&T, Childress Racing extend relationship Nov 11, 2007
native won his first NASCAR Cup Series race last month at New Hampshire International Speedway and sits third in Cup Series points, 115 markers behind leader Jeff Gordon. "BB&T has been a great sponsor, and I'm very proud to know that the folks at the bank think enough of me and everyone involved in this program to extend our relationship," Bowyer said. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
New Hampshire Cup dates not safe Nov 10, 2007
When O. Bruton Smith was asked pointedly at a press conference Nov. 2 at Texas Motor Speedway if he intended to take one of New Hampshire's two NASCAR Nextel Cup dates and give it to Las Vegas - one of the seven tracks he owns after his $340 million purchase of New Hampshire International Speedway - Smith's reply seemed to be telling. Sitting alone on the dais at Victory Theater, the 80-year-old chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc. spotted Chris Powell, the executive vice president and... (Boston Globe)
Chase stays tight down the stretch Nov 9, 2007
Bowyer won the September race at New Hampshire International Speedway, the track on the NASCAR circuit considered most similar to Phoenix. "I like Phoenix," said Bowyer, who will be racing the same car he won with at New Hampshire. (USA Today)
Speedway swings to 3Q loss of $13.6M Nov 8, 2007
The company agreed last week to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway for $340 million. Related Industry News. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Truex finally enjoys success in the Chase Nov 7, 2007
"Actually, Martin we think the luck change was more than a little bit.Going into the race at Phoenix, Martin mentioned that he and his team were the only individuals who thought they had a chance to make the Chase. They did and now he hopes that he can move from 12th to tenth in the point standings and a win would be great to finish the season with.Keep in mind that the race at Phoenix is a Car of Tomorrow event. The Bass Pro Shops team is taking the same car that won at Dover to Phoenix. The... (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Smith is trying to build trust Nov 4, 2007
While no one expects Smith to "Bruton-ize" New Hampshire International Speedway after buying it from Bob and Gary Bahre for $340 million in cash, the news of SMI's acquisition of the 1. 058-mile oval in Loudon, N.H., sent fears rippling across New England that NHIS - which was renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway - will lose one, or possibly both, of its lucrative Nextel Cup dates. (Boston Globe)
Speedway to buy N.H. track for $340M Nov 4, 2007
has agreed to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway from Bob and Gary Bahre for $340 million in cash. The deal is slated to close in the first quarter. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Loss of NHIS races would have ripple effect through region Nov 3, 2007
LOUDON, N.H. (AP) -- From portable toilet rentals to hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes, the sale of the New Hampshire International Speedway could have a major economic impact on the state and its residents. O. Bruton Smith, who operates a conglomerate that runs six other NASCAR tracks, announced Friday afternoon in Texas that he has purchased NHIS from Bob Bahre. (Concord Monitor)
Smith: no plans to move races `at this time' Nov 3, 2007
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith has agreed to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway for $340 million, a deal that should be completed early next year. While confirming the deal Friday to buy the track from 80-year-old independent owner Bob Bahre, Smith was less direct about how the purchase could affect his long-standing desire to add a second NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Las Vegas, one of the other six tracks he already owns. (Concord Monitor)
Curlin will produce a new kind of payday Nov 3, 2007
New Hampshire International Speedway will have a new owner, and still has both of its NASCAR Nextel Cup dates for now. Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith confirmed he has agreed to buy the New Hampshire track for $340 million from 80-year-old independent owner Bob Bahre in a deal that should be completed early next year. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
POLITICS IS FOR RACING, TOO Nov 3, 2007
His company purchased New Hampshire International Speedway from the Bahre family. The track was promptly renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway, to match the other six SMI tracks. (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
Truex takes first pole Nov 3, 2007
SMITH ACQUIRING TRACK: New Hampshire International Speedway will have a new owner, and the track still has both of its Nextel Cup dates -- for now. Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith confirmed Friday that he has agreed to buy the track for $340 million from 80-year-old independent owner Bob Bahre in a deal that should be completed early next year. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Texas Motor Speedway Owner Buying N.H. Track Nov 3, 2007
Bruton Smith To Purchase New Hampshire International Speedway For $340 Million. (AP) FORT WORTH Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith has agreed to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway for $340 million, a deal that should be completed early next year. (CBS 11, TX)
$340 million speedway sale may sting Nov 3, 2007
LOUDON (AP) From portable toilet rentals to hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes, the sale of the New Hampshire International Speedway could have a major economic impact on the state and its residents. O. Bruton Smith, who operates a conglomerate that runs six other NASCAR tracks, announced Friday afternoon in Texas that he has purchased NHIS from Bob Bahre. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Furniture Row Racing Seals Three-Year Deal with Nemechek Nov 3, 2007
He made the move to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series in 1994, with a 1999 Jiffy Lube 300 victory at New Hampshire International Speedway, marking the first major milestone of his promising career. Several more NEXTEL Cup victories set the stage for his most successful career weekend in October 2004. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Bruton Smith expected to announce purchase of N.H. track Nov 2, 2007
FORT WORTH (AP) Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith will make a "major announcement" Friday in Texas amid widespread speculation that he's purchasing New Hampshire International Speedway. Officials at Texas Motor Speedway said that Smith had scheduled a news conference Friday morning at the track. (USA Today -- Sports)
Bruton Smith's announcement expected to be purchase of N.H. track Nov 2, 2007
Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith will make a "major announcement" Friday in Texas amid widespread speculation that he's purchasing New Hampshire International Speedway. The requested content is restricted to registered users. (Herald Sun)
Smith goes shopping again Nov 2, 2007
The Associated Press Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith will make a "major announcement" today in Texas amid widespread speculation that he is purchasing New Hampshire International Speedway. Officials at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth said that Smith had scheduled a news conference for this morning at the track. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Sale of NHIS is complete Nov 2, 2007
FORT WORTH - Saying he had reached a point in his life where he felt the time was right to sell, Bob Bahre, the 80-year-old chairman of New Hampshire International Speedway, confirmed yesterday the sale of the 1. 058-mile oval he built in 1990 and dubbed "The Magic Mile" to O. Bruton Smith, CEO and chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc.. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Sources: Bahre agrees to sell NHIS Nov 1, 2007
The future of NASCAR racing in New England seems clouded by uncertainty after sources with knowledge of the deal indicated last night that O. Bruton Smith, CEO and chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., had entered into an agreement to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway from Bob Bahre, the track's 80-year-old chairman who is among a rare breed in NASCAR: the independent track owner/operator. A press conference is expected to be held tomorrow at Texas Motor Speedway, one of six... (Boston Globe)
Proving he belongs Oct 10, 2007
Bowyer, in fact, never had won a Cup race before opening the Chase with a win at New Hampshire International Speedway. But that victory was just the start. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Martin Truex Jr Biography Oct 9, 2007
Later that season, he won his first Busch North Series event at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. In 2001, Truex Jr made his NASCAR Busch Series debut at Dover International Speedway driving for his family owned team. (Suite101.com)
Johnson Leads Hendrick Sweep Of Cup Qualifying Oct 1, 2007
Three drivers are vying for the final two places in the "Chase for the Nextel Cup" which begins next week at the New Hampshire International Speedway. The three drivers are Kevin Harvick (starting 13th), Kurt Busch (starting 14th) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (starting 21st). (NBCSandiego.com, CA)
Penalty or not, Cup still within Edwards' reach Sep 28, 2007
He has finished either first or second in three of the last five races and might have won the other two if not for blowing an engine while leading at Richmond International Raceway and totaling a car while pacing practice at New Hampshire International Speedway. But the title has been decided by fewer than 25 points seven times (all in the last 29 years), and Roush Fenway Racing, which probably could make a case for being the most persecuted team in NASCAR history, is saddled with a checkered... (USA Today -- Sports)
Edwards hit with 25-point penalty, drops to 6th in Chase Sep 26, 2007
and received similar punishments after failing postrace inspection at New Hampshire International Speedway in July. "We face the indignity of getting a penalty assessed for impairing our car's performance," Smith said. (USA Today -- Sports)
Franchitti eyes Talladega race: other NASCAR notes Sep 25, 2007
Based on the $100 million that the Frances' International Speedway Corp. just paid for a 60 percent share of Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway, with its one Nextel Cup tour date, New Hampshire International Speedway, with its two Nextel Cup dates, could be worth as much as $340 million. While Bahre said he would like for any buyer to keep both Nextel Cup dates at Loudon, he has apparently not made that a non-negotiable issue. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Upward, onward and Edwards: Dover victory shakes up Chase Sep 24, 2007
NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said the infraction was similar to the violations found on the cars of and after July's race at New Hampshire International Speedway. Each driver was eventually docked 25 driver points and their respective crew chiefs fined $25,000. (USA Today -- Sports)
How The Chase stacks up Sep 22, 2007
WHAT HAPPENED: Johnson was disappointed with a sixth-place finish at New Hampshire International Speedway that left him tied with teammate Jeff Gordon in the standings. He gets the top spot based on the tiebreaker, his series-leading six wins on the season. (Yreka Siskiyou Daily News, CA)
NASCAR: Johnson says pole position is the 'pits' Sep 22, 2007
who won his first career cup race last week at New Hampshire International Speedway, will start 42nd, the worst qualifying effort among the 12 Chase drivers. As scheduled. (USA Today -- Sports)
Earnhardt a winner in numbers game Sep 22, 2007
While Clint Bowyer, fresh off his first career Nextel Cup victory last Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway, surprised many with his dominant victory at the start of Chase, Johnson, the defending champ, seemed to gain momentum when he captured the pole position for tomorrow's Dodge Dealers 400 at Dover, Del. Johnson, behind the wheel of his No. 48 Chevrolet, turned a fast lap of 154. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Title hopefuls answer the bell for Chase's Round 2 at Dover Sep 21, 2007
is coming off his first Nextel Cup victory Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway, a dominant one at that. Meanwhile, , whose June victory spurred his run into the Chase for the Nextel Cup, goes after the season sweep in the second race of NASCAR's 10-event title run. (USA Today -- Sports)
Thursday Night Football Action Sep 21, 2007
R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens. Friday September 21, 2007. (R News)
Johnson can tame Monster Mile Sep 20, 2007
Working in Johnson's favorThe defending Cup champion opened the Chase with a sixth-place result last Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway. That finish added to what has been an impressive and extremely consistent season for the 31-year-old, who has six wins, 14 top-fives and 17 top-10s. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Kurt Busch must dig out of deep hole, again Sep 20, 2007
That left Kurt Busch to bring up the rear, finishing 25th in the Chase opening race at New Hampshire International Speedway. By coming in last among the 12 Chase drivers, Busch plummeted seven spots to the bottom of the standings. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Gibbs has solid driver development program with Logano, Coleman and Davis Sep 20, 2007
Logano has gone on to win five Busch East races this year, including a sweep of the two races at New Hampshire International Speedway the latest last Saturday to all but wrap up the series title. He only needs to start the season-finale Friday at Dover to become the first rookie champion since the series began in 1989. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
This week in auto racing Sep 20, 2007
Last race: Clint Bowyer raced to his first Cup victory, starting from the pole and leading all 221 of the 300 laps to win at New Hampshire International Speedway. NASCAR BUSCH RoadLoans. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Hornaday wins NASCAR Trucks Sep 19, 2007
Hornaday led 174 of 200 laps on his way to winning his second NASCAR Truck Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway, but his stout performance didn't give him much breathing room in the championship race. Mike Skinner, who trailed Hornaday by four points entering the race, finished third and is 29 points behind, well within striking distance to deny Hornaday his third series title. (Columbus Telegram, NE)
Q&A with Kenseth: Keeping pace in Chase for Cup Sep 19, 2007
As pleased as was by a seventh in the Chase for the Nextel Cup opener, he was nearly as elated for , who scored his inaugural victory in Sunday's Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. The Emporia, Kan. (USA Today -- Sports)
Bowyer is on edge and in Victory Lane Sep 18, 2007
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Clint Bowyer knew how strong his Chevrolet was after rolling through the first turn at New Hampshire International Speedway. He led all but 88 of the 300 laps, and built a lead of more than six seconds, fully realizing the race was his to lose. (MSNBC -- Sports)
