The NASCAR Cup Series New Hampshire event is currently captivating fans as the only NASCAR Playoffs weekend in New England takes place at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS). Drivers are eagerly anticipating the start of the Round of 12, which will begin this Sunday with the Mobil 1 301 race, set to deliver intense competition on the track known as “The Magic Mile.”
Drivers Celebrate the Unique Challenges of New Hampshire’s Flat, Wide Track
Many drivers have voiced admiration for New Hampshire’s distinct racing conditions, highlighting its status as one of the most dynamic short tracks on the NASCAR schedule. Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, emphasized the excitement returning to the playoffs brings for both him and his team, especially given his multiple wins at the venue. Hamlin described the racing here as “unmatched” despite the track’s infrequent presence on the calendar.
Cole Custer, piloting the No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford, noted that the track’s flat corners make setting up the cars particularly difficult, but this has evolved New Hampshire into a highly entertaining racetrack. He stated,
“Well I think New Hampshire has become a really racey racetrack. You’ve been able to run from the top to the bottom and really mix it up. It’s a hard place to get right with how flat the corners are. It’s a hard place to get a stock car working right, but it’s become a really fun place that you can run and mix it up at.”
Tyler Reddick, driving the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota, spoke to how the track surface has improved, allowing for wider racing lanes and more strategic opportunities. His experience with new car setups has prepared him for the varied conditions expected at New Hampshire. He shared,
“I feel like the surface at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is really coming into its own. The last couple of times that we’ve been there, it’s been a really wide racetrack. It’s been a lot of fun … I feel like with this car and with us doing that little experiment we did last year, you know, we can race in just about any condition now, so yeah, I think it just really opens up the potential winners and strategies when we go there knowing that we can race in different conditions.”
Rain Racing and Multi-Lane Strategies Add to the Track’s Appeal
Several drivers praised New Hampshire’s capacity for action-packed races that often include weather variables. John Hunter Nemechek of the No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota recalled the thrill of racing in the rain during his last visit, hoping for similar conditions this fall. He said,
“Looking forward to going back to New Hampshire this fall. I’m praying for rain again. That was our best rain last time. It was really fun to run in the wet. [I] truly enjoyed it. New Hampshire is amazing in itself, great racetrack, being able to move around, run multiple lanes. ‘The Magic Mile’ lives up to ‘The Magic Mile’ name.”
Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, also recalled the excitement of last year’s rainy race.
“Yeah, looking forward to getting out there. New Hampshire is a large short track, flat. Racing in the rain last year was pretty epic, so if we do that again, I will be prepared,”
he stated.
Erik Jones of the No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota highlighted how the track has evolved with wider lanes and a robust tire package that fosters competitive racing. He explained,
“The race itself has been pretty good the last few years, the way I think the track’s widened out, we’ve run a pretty unique line around there, so that’s really made some good racing, and obviously last year we had the rain, which was a whole other situation thrown in, but the track’s really widened out and changed well, and we’ve got a pretty good tire package there that makes the racing exciting.”
Drivers Look Forward to Returning Action and Fan Engagement at New Hampshire
Josh Berry from the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford described New Hampshire as a “really fun racetrack” and recalled last year’s engaging race filled with strategy and rain. He expressed eagerness for his return, reflecting on the excitement the track consistently provides.
Adding to the vibrant atmosphere of race weekend, Chase Briscoe of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota highlighted the diverse events around the venue, including Sprint Cars and Modified races on the adjacent dirt track. He stated,
“It’s always a fun weekend up there, you know, between, they always have the Sprint Cars at the dirt track there, then you have the Modified race … and obviously the Cup race. So hopefully it’ll be another awesome race like we had last year … should be an awesome time.”
Ty Dillon of the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet emphasized the value of the flat mile’s multiple racing lines, which give drivers plenty of chances to maneuver and make bold moves. He also touched on the unpredictability that weather can bring, noting,
“The flat mile, there’s a lot of opportunities to move your line, which as a driver, means a lot. You [want to] have options out there. You feel like you can really create more opportunities for yourself, and they race there in the rain now, so you never know what kind of unique experience, you never know what the weather’s [going to] be like that time of year in New Hampshire, so there’s all kinds of variables that can come in to play with that race now.”
Other drivers like Riley Herbst of the No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. of the No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet echoed appreciation for the wide and fast nature of the racetrack. Herbst said,
“New Hampshire is a lot of fun. Wide racing, flat track, should be a pretty aggressive race.”
Stenhouse Jr. added,
“It’s a track that’s got multiple lanes, and it’s fun to race on, so they’ll see a good race.”
Meanwhile, Justin Haley of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet simply promised,
“You can expect hard racing as normal.”
Weekend Schedule and Fan Experience at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
The racing weekend features a packed schedule that kicks off Saturday with the Mohegan Sun 100 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) race, followed by the Team EJP 175 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) Playoffs race, and practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series. The action peaks Sunday with the Mobil 1 301 Cup race, marking the start of the Round of 12. Beyond the thrilling on-track battles, fans can enjoy a variety of activities including the Magic Mile Happy Hour Show, Trackside Live, The Groove fan hangout, live concerts, driver meet-and-greets, and several performances emphasizing the lively atmosphere.
Tickets for the weekend, including the Playoffs races and the Mohegan Sun 100, are available through NHMS.com or by phone. Children 12 and under receive special pricing: $10 on Sunday and free admission on Saturday’s Doubleheader. Camping options also cater to attendees seeking a full immersive race weekend experience.
Anticipated Impact and Continued Growth of NASCAR at New Hampshire
The return of the NASCAR Cup Series New Hampshire event to the Playoffs highlights the track’s growing reputation as a hub for competitive and unpredictable racing. The evolving surface and track conditions, combined with the unpredictable New England weather, make it a compelling challenge for drivers and a captivating spectacle for fans. With strong support from drivers across teams such as Joe Gibbs Racing, 23XI Racing, Legacy Motor Club, and Richard Childress Racing, the Mobil 1 301 promises a highly competitive race that could influence the championship landscape while enhancing the NASCAR fan experience in the region.
