Speedway Reaches Beyond NASCAR

David McGrath, executive vice president and general manager. Photo by Erika Cohen.

Twice a year, the NH Motor Speedway in Loudon becomes the largest city in NH, hosting more than 100,000 fans to watch NASCAR racing. The rest of the year, the 1,200-acre facility hosts diverse groups, including road cyclists riding the oval track and road course, motorcyclists, the BMW Club of America, and families who come during the holiday season to enjoy the 400 light displays that illuminate the track.

Speedway officials say the two NASCAR events alone, scheduled for July and September, generate $400 million in economic activity in the state. The track employs 52 year-round, but that workforce swells to more than 2,000 on NASCAR race weekends. This is a source of pride for David McGrath, who was promoted to executive vice president and general manager last October.

McGrath says the Speedway, with an oval track that is 1.058-miles and a 1.6 mile road course, is much more than NASCAR. He enthusiastically describes the 250 events the track hosts between April and October, including the Loudon Classic motorcycle race in June during the Laconia motorcycle week. That event allows riders to test drive Harley Davidson, PanAm, Ducati and other motorcycle brands on the track. “They can demo all these motorcycles. Thousands that weekend will do that,” says McGrath, who will be among those taking test drives.

McGrath has a vision to build on existing events and add new ones. Part of his plan involves the widening of Route 106 for the mile leading to the track, which is included in the state’s 10-Year Transportation Plan. (McGrath is hopeful work may start in summer of 2017. He would also like to add lights to the track to host night events.)

The speedway has focused on developing events that appeal to new audiences. Last fall it hosted a Yankee Siege where trebuchets hurled boats, pumpkins and cars. This summer it will host a Tough Mudder race, where racers face obstacles from dunks in ice cold water to electrified fences, and a Millennium Running Red, White & Brew Beer Relay. This fall, the Northeast Motorsport Museum is expected to open. The Speedway also opens the road course to police for high-speed chase training.

The Speedway has been investing in infrastructure, adding a $1 million bath and shower house and a tailgating pavilion for corporate guests with tiered drink rails overlooking the track. Last year Verizon invested in 4G LTE towers to provide better reception for track guests and Verizon also sells that service to area residents.

“We want to continue to develop and find new ways to use the property,” McGrath says. “I want to keep inventing things.” For more information, visit nhms.com.