NASCAR Races Trip Reports & Info
July 2007 NASCAR
race
The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series 15th
annual LENOX Industrial Tools 300 races at New Hampshire International
Speedway in Loudon, NH.....
This year, we stayed at the track as we had purchased
NHMS "L" Lot camping passes. We ended up with a decent camp site, and for the most part, the
neighbors were nice and the L lot was quiet. Normally the race in July is
very loud, but the weather was cool and the air was dry, so people were a
bit calmer than they normally are when the weather is hot and steamy The
relaxing smell of campfires filled the air on the cool nights at NHMS's L
Lot. The
cool, dry air also made it comfortable for sleeping This was definitely one
of our better trips to the L Lot camping area at NHMS.
Thursday's events at NHMS included qualifying for
both, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour New England 100, and the NASCAR Grand
National Division, Busch East Series New England 125. We we're unable to
attend these events at NHMS.
Friday's races at NHMS included the NASCAR Nextel Cup
Series Qualifying for the 15th annual Lenox Industrial Tools 300 and also
the NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East Series New England 125 race.
These events tend to be more enjoyable at NHMS because there are not as many
people in the grandstands and you can spread out a little bit.
Saturday's events at NHMS included NASCAR Busch Series
qualifying for the Camping World 200, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour New
England 100 race and the NASCAR Busch Series Camping World 200. Kevin Harvick won the Camping
World 200. During the race, Eric McClure lost his
brakes and his car was sent high on top of the turn 3 and turn 4 safer
barriers and traveled on top of the wall backwards almost all the way around
both of the turns (see
photos). This is approximately the same place that Adam Petty and
Kenny Irwin died at NHMS in the past. Both Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin died when
their throttles stuck on their cars in two separate incidents.
On Sunday, we spent the morning and early afternoon
with the Magic Mile Club at NHMS. This was something that we weren't too
sure about when we bought the tickets because of the lack of information on
the NHMS website about these tickets. At the time of this report, the
tickets cost $150.00 each, in addition to your race ticket (you must have
both to get in the hospitality area where the club is). When we bought the
tickets, we had no idea what to expect. We learned quickly that the tickets
are worth the money. When you first arrive at the NHMS magic Mile Club tent,
you are greeted by very nice people and are handed a bag with all kinds of
race stuff, magazines, t-shirt, cap, race program and other misc. items.
Breakfast and lunch are offered at no additional cost, lunch is catered.
Drinks are all no additional charge, even the beer :). One thing we did
notice is that is it best to get there early because of seating. The tables
are large enough for about 6 people. The problem is that most groups of
people that attend this together are couples or groups of 3 or 4 people, so
you will end up sitting at a table with someone you don't know and there are
a lot of tables with one seat left. After we figured that out it wasn't too
bad and the food was great. We then joined the walking tour of the infield.
This is where the confusion started with us because we thought the infield
was in the center of the track, the garage area, etc. It was actually a
walking tour through pit road, with things in the infield explained as you
go down pit road. We were able to see the pit crews, toolboxes, and race
cars up close. Be sure to check our
photo
page to get a better idea of what you get
to see. After the pit tour (infield tour) was over, we were allowed to sign
the wall at the end of the front straightaway and then we were directed back
to the start finish line to exit the track and back to the tent for lunch.
On our way back, we were walking by the Budweiser tent and saw Dale
Earnhardt Jr who was speaking to the crowd there, that was it for us, the
tickets had paid for themselves... and then some! Go Dale!
After we left the Magic Mile Club tent, we headed to
the stands for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series 15th annual Lenox Industrial
Tools 300 race. The race was not as exciting as it usually is, but I think
Dale Jr. predicted it right when he told his pit crew to get ready for a lot
of green flag racing because "I don't expect too many cautions today." Well,
he predicted right, the race went with only a handful of yellow flags and he
did well, coming in 4th place, Martin Truex Jr. came in 3rd, Jeff Gordon
came in 2nd (one more lap and he might have taken 1st), and Denny Hamlin
took the checkered flag with his 2 worn tires.
See the Photo
Gallery of this trip!
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Before You go to The
Track! |
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Fast Facts About This Trip: |
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The Good: |
- NASCAR racing!
- People watching... Always a good laugh!
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The Bad: |
- The traffic in and out of NHMS
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The Ugly: |
- The men's' bathrooms were way too crowded! Some people were
in line for over 50 laps of the Lenox Industrial Tools 300.
Others found relief behind dumpsters, trucks and vendor stands.
A few actually ventured into the woman's bathroom, where there
were no lines. Some people blamed the cool weather for the
excessive bathroom lines stating that people don't have to go as
often when it's hot because you sweat more. I'm not a medical
professional, so I don't know the answer to this question. I do
know that the men's bathroom lines were outrageously long! I
hope that NHMS is going to address this issue.
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Tips to Remember: |
- Men - During Sunday's race, don't drink too much beer unless
you want to stand in the lines for the bathroom for an extra
long time!
- There ARE showers at NHMS! They are near turn 2. There are
only 5, so go there early am or late at night or the lines are
huge!
- Ice is expensive there (worth every penny when you need it
though). We bring some with us to the track but it doesn't last
long! The ice truck delivers ice throughout the camping area's
main roads all day starting early am. They also have a tent set up in the L lot on the main
pathway in case you missed the truck.
- Septic and water services for camping trailers are available
in the camping areas. We use the outhouses so never used these
services, but I can imagine they are good services when you need
them.
- Be prepared for a long wait to leave the track, especially
if you have a camper and try to leave right after the race.
Better to stay late or until the next day.
- There are two gas stations and stores just outside the track
property on Rt. 106, at the South gate of NHMS. It's about a mile walk
from the L lot... not bad, but bring your wagon
for beer, ice and anything else you wouldn't want to carry for a
mile!
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Links: |
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Date of Report: June 27 - July 1, 2007
