New Hampshire has a couple of events that not every state has, and that one would not think of belonging to a smaller (in size and population) state. We have two (count them, 2!) NASCAR races at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Not only is it the largest sports venue in the Noth East, but not every state that hosts NASCAR races have 2 races.
We are also host of the oldest motorcycle rally on earth, Laconia Bike Week (which yes, we did attend, but I haven't downloaded pics yet, so you will have to wait for the post). This draws a couple of hundred thousand visitors in itself.
And next year, and beyond, we will be hosting NHRA, Full Throttle, drag racing. We have had the minor league drag racing, but that is not the same as the Full Throttle series. We saw some of the big time drag racing in Oklahoma, when we still lived in Kansas. And naturally, shortly after we moved to NH, Kansas got its own track in Topeka. In the last couple of years we have talked about going to see a FT race, but the closest track is in New Jersey. That is a heck of a drive just to see a day of races. Well, yes, we could watch qualifying, but really, one day of all the sun, heat and noise are is enough.
To bring the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series to New England and specifically the state of New Hampshire is very exciting,” said Joe Lombardo, track general manager, New England Dragway. “We have started the process of preparing our facility to host an event of this magnitude and look forward to hosting the stars of NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing next June.”
The event will be headlined by 15-time NHRA Funny Car world champion John Force, seven-time Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher, as well as many other top stars including New England’s own Bob Tasca III, Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Greg Anderson, Cruz Pedregon, Courtney Force, Morgan Lucas, Robert Hight, Terry McMillen, and Jeg Coughlin, among others. The event expects to entertain fans from the entire New England region, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Canada. The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series is broadcast on ESPN2/ESPN2HD.
So congrats to the owners of the Epping's New England Drag Way. The work that you have put into this should reap you a good pay back, and make it much easier for fans like us to witness the sport in person.
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