You can smell it before you see it. That thick, heavy scent of high-octane fuel and scorched rubber hanging over the Merrimack Valley like a mechanical fog. If you’ve ever driven up Route 106 on a humid July morning, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
The Loudon NH race track—officially known as New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS)—is a weird place. It’s an "overgrown" paperclip. It’s a 1.058-mile slab of granite-hard asphalt that breaks hearts and ruins transmissions. Honestly, most people who aren't from New England think of it as just another stop on the NASCAR circuit, but they’re dead wrong. It’s the "Magic Mile," and for thirty-plus years, it has been the epicenter of motorsports in the Northeast.
The Brutal Reality of the Flat Track
Driving Loudon is basically like trying to win a sprint on a skating rink. Unlike the high banks of Daytona or the sweeping curves of Charlotte, the Loudon NH race track features minimal banking. You’re looking at variable banking in the turns, roughly 2 to 7 degrees. That’s flat. For a Cup Series car weighing 3,400 pounds and hitting 160 mph on the straightaways, that lack of banking means the tires are doing all the work.
The grip just isn't there.
It’s a mechanical nightmare. If your car doesn't turn perfectly in the center of the corner, you’re done. You'll spend the whole day fighting "the push," watching your front tires turn into melted gum while guys like Christopher Bell—who has absolutely mastered this place lately—sail right past you on the inside.
NASCAR isn't the only thing that happens here, though. The track's history is actually rooted in two wheels. Long before Bob Bahre bought the old Bryar Motorsports Park and turned it into this massive superspeedway in 1990, the site was famous for the Loudon Classic. It’s the longest-running motorcycle race in America. We’re talking over 100 years of history if you count the race's origins before it moved to this specific patch of dirt in Loudon.
Why the "Granite" Matters
There is a literal reason this place is nicknamed the Granite State’s track. The surface is abrasive. It’s unforgiving. When the sun hits that asphalt, the track temperature can swing 30 degrees in an hour, completely changing how the cars handle.
I’ve talked to crew chiefs who lose sleep over the Loudon weather. Because the track is so flat, you can’t rely on aerodynamics to stick the car to the ground. You need "mechanical grip." That means the suspension, the springs, and the shocks have to be perfect. One small mistake in the garage on Friday means a miserable Sunday afternoon finishing three laps down.
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- The Turn 3 Problem: Most drivers will tell you Turn 3 is where dreams go to die. It’s deceptively tight. If you dive in too hard, you’ll wash up into the marbles and hit the wall.
- Restarts are Chaos: Because the track is narrow, restarts at the Loudon NH race track are famous for "big ones." It’s not uncommon to see four-wide racing into Turn 1, which simply doesn't fit four cars.
- The Lobster: Yes, the winner gets a giant, live lobster. It’s a New England tradition that started because, well, what else are you going to give someone in New Hampshire? It usually weighs between 18 and 22 pounds. Drivers either love it or are terrified of the claws.
Beyond the NASCAR Cup Series
People forget that NHMS is a massive complex that lives year-round. It’s 1,200 acres. That’s huge. While the Crayon 301 (or whatever the current title sponsor calls the summer Cup race) is the big draw, the track stays busy with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
If you haven't seen the Modifieds at Loudon, you haven't seen real racing. These cars are essentially engine-blocks with giant tires and tiny bodies. They draft like they’re at Talladega, but on a one-mile flat track. It’s common to see 40 lead changes in a single race. It’s insane. It’s loud. It’s the purest form of racing you can find at the professional level.
Then there’s the road course.
Inside the oval is a series of twists and turns that utilize parts of the original Bryar circuit. Road racers from SCCA and various motorcycle clubs use this layout to test their mettle. It’s technical. It’s bumpy. It requires a completely different mindset than the "turn left" mentality of the oval.
The Economic Engine of Merrimack County
Let’s talk numbers, because the impact of the Loudon NH race track is staggering. According to economic impact studies conducted by the University of New Hampshire, a single race weekend can pump over $100 million into the regional economy.
Think about the hotels in Concord. Think about the diners in Tilton and the gas stations in Laconia. During race week, the population of Loudon—normally around 5,000 people—balloons to effectively become the largest "city" in the state of New Hampshire. It’s a massive logistical feat. The state police have to turn Route 106 into a one-way highway just to move the traffic.
But it’s not just the big race.
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The Gift of Lights during the holidays brings in tens of thousands of cars. They drive through millions of LED lights set up around the track. It’s become a local staple. Then you have the racing schools. Places like the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience allow regular people to hop into a stock car and see just how terrifyingly fast 150 mph feels when you're inches from a concrete wall.
Common Misconceptions About Loudon
One of the biggest gripes I hear from casual fans is that "Loudon is boring because you can't pass."
That’s a surface-level take.
Passing at the Loudon NH race track is an art form. It’s about the "bump and run." Because the corners are so flat, you can’t just out-horse someone on the outside. You have to get to their bumper, give them a literal nudge to move them off the bottom line, and then dive underneath. It’s aggressive. It’s physical. If you’re looking for high-speed aerodynamics, go to Michigan. If you want to see drivers actually wrestling their machines, stay in New Hampshire.
Another myth is that the track is dying.
Sure, Loudon lost one of its two Cup dates a few years back to Las Vegas. That hurt. People were ticked off. But the track has pivoted. They’ve leaned into the "festival" atmosphere. They’ve added music, better camping facilities, and more diverse racing series. The crowd at the 2024 and 2025 races proved that the New England fan base is still incredibly loyal. They show up rain or shine—and at Loudon, it usually rains.
Looking Forward: The 2026 Season and Beyond
The future of the Loudon NH race track is actually looking pretty bright despite the general volatility of the sports world. There’s a constant rumor about the track potentially getting a date for the NASCAR playoffs again. While nothing is set in stone, the move toward "short track" style racing in the Next Gen car plays right into Loudon’s hands.
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The Next Gen car (the seventh generation of NASCAR stock cars) has struggled on some big tracks but has provided some fascinating, high-braking-zone duels on flat tracks. NHMS is the ultimate test of that platform.
If you’re planning a trip, here is the reality:
- Bring comfortable shoes. The walk from the parking lots (especially the grass lots) is no joke. It’s hilly and dusty.
- Rent a scanner. You won't know what’s happening otherwise. Listening to the driver-crew chief communication is half the fun. You get to hear the genuine frustration when the car won't turn.
- Check out the "The Hill." Some of the best views aren't in the grandstands; they’re from the hillsides where people set up their own spots.
- Prepare for the weather. It’s either 95 degrees with 90% humidity or it’s a torrential downpour. There is no in-between in Loudon during the summer.
Actionable Steps for Your First Visit
If you’re heading to the Loudon NH race track for the first time, don't just wing it.
First, get your tickets early for the Modifieds on Saturday. It’s cheaper and, arguably, the better race. Second, look into the fan zone activities. Unlike stick-and-ball sports, NASCAR allows a level of access that is pretty wild. You can often get right up to the fence near the garages.
Third, stay in Concord or Manchester if you want a hotel, but book six months out. If you're more of a rugged type, the camping at NHMS is legendary. It’s basically a giant party that lasts four days. Just remember that New Hampshire has strict "Live Free or Die" vibes, but the track security and State Police keep things from getting too out of hand.
The Loudon NH race track isn't just a circle in the woods. It’s a grueling, technical, and historically rich venue that demands respect from drivers and fans alike. Whether you’re there for the 300-mile Cup grind or the century-old motorcycle tradition, you’re standing on one of the most important pieces of asphalt in the country.
To get the most out of your experience, check the official NHMS schedule for "Track Laps" days. These are specific dates throughout the year where you can drive your own street car behind a pace car for a few laps. It’s the only way to truly understand the pitch and roll of those "flat" corners. Also, keep an eye on the weather via local Concord stations rather than national apps; the Merrimack River creates its own micro-climate that the big weather models often miss. Finally, if you're a serious fan, download the NASCAR app to track live telemetry during the race—seeing the braking points in real-time will change how you view the "boring" parts of the lap.