NHMS
Announces 2011 Schedule, Changes IndyCar Race Date
LOUDON, N.H. (August 11, 2010) - With anticipated crowds exceeding the Super
Bowl, Final Four, NBA Finals, World Series games, and even the Stanley Cup
Playoffs , New Hampshire Motor Speedway will host the three the biggest
sporting events in New England during its 2011 racing season.
For the 15th consecutive season, the "Magic Mile" will host two NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series weekends.
Moving from its recent late-June date, NASCAR's elite series makes its
season debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 17 for the
LENOX Industrial Tools 301.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will make its second trip to the "Granite
State" on Sunday, September 25, as the SYLVANIA 300 lights up the
competition for the second race in the "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup."
"As we have seen for the past couple of months, these NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series dates are special and highly coveted by various venues and cities
across the country," said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and
general manager of the speedway. "Though next year's schedule realignment
involved moving some dates from speedways that have hosted two NASCAR Sprint
Cup weekends, I think it is fitting that the largest sports and
entertainment venue in New England continues to host two NASCAR Sprint Cup
races. Our two dates are directly a result of the incredible fan support we
have in New England. I know first-hand that our Chairman Bruton Smith and
NASCAR recognizes how important it is to have a terrific venue in this
region and this New England market."
In addition to the two Sprint Cup Series races at NHMS, a "New Breed of
Speed," invades the track when the IZOD IndyCar Series returns after a
13-year hiatus. On August 14 Dario Franchetti, Danica Patrick, Helio
Castroneves, and all of the IZOD IndyCar Series stars will bring close
wheel-to-wheel action and speeds reaching up to 200 miles per hour.
"Because of the date changes with our NASCAR weekends, we had to move this
much-anticipated event from its originally announced July 31 date to August
14. With this change, it gives fans from New England, Canada and across the
country three consecutive months of major racing events. This will be a
tremendous boost to the economic benefit the speedway provides and increase
in tourism to our great state." Gappens added. "In addition, I really
appreciate Randy Bernard and all of the officials of the IZOD Indy Cars
Series for working with us to make this change. It creates some travel and
logistical challenges for their group, but it further demonstrates their
commitment to bringing open wheel racing back to New England."
The 2011 season will also provide top-quality action in all forms of racing
for fans; including the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the NASCAR Camping World
Truck Series, NASCAR's K&N Pro Series East, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour,
and the American Canadian Tour. Other series include the Loudon Road Racing
Series, a major snowmobile event, vintage racing, and the oldest motorcycle
racing event in the world.
Gappens also announced that there will not be a price increase for NASCAR
events in 2011.
"In addition to not increasing prices for the past eight years, we have
actually lowered ticket prices in several areas the past two years and offer
interest-free payment plans, which offers several affordable options for our
fans, Gappens said."
NASCAR Sprint Cup tickets for next year range from $39 to $110 and tickets
for the IZOD Indy Car Series race are priced from $35 to $75. Fans buying
all three events can save an additional 10-percent.
The next major event scheduled for NHMS, is the SYLVANIA 300, September
16-19. Purchase your tickets now by calling our ticket hotline at (603)
783-4931 or by visiting us online at www.nhms.com.
