{"id":156374,"date":"2025-09-20T04:57:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T04:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/156374\/"},"modified":"2025-09-20T04:57:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T04:57:06","slug":"new-englands-only-nascar-playoffs-weekend-gets-off-to-wicked-big-start-news-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/156374\/","title":{"rendered":"New England\u2019s Only NASCAR Playoffs Weekend Gets Off to Wicked Big Start | News | Media"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASCAR<\/a> fans showed up in droves as the opening day of New England\u2019s only NASCAR Playoffs weekend delivered a full slate of on-track action capped by a night of dirt racing under the lights in front of a full house at The Flat Track.<\/p>\n

Before engines fired at New Hampshire Motor Speedway<\/a> (NHMS), the day kicked off by the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series<\/a> (NCS) Hauler Parade through downtown Concord \u2013 New Hampshire\u2019s capital \u2013 drawing tremendous crowds of race fans. With a police escort and horns blaring, the brightly colored transporters rolled down Main Street as families lined the sidewalks, waving checkered flags and snapping photos and Governor Kelly Ayotte waved the green flag to officially mark the start of The Granite State\u2019s annual NASCAR weekend. The energy from the parade set the tone that carried straight to \u201cThe Magic Mile\u201d for the rest of the day\u2019s on-track activities.<\/p>\n

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour<\/a> (NWMT) started things off with practice and qualifying for Saturday\u2019s Mohegan Sun 100. Justin Bonsignore, a three-time NHMS NWMT race winner, secured the pole position and will lead the field to green at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday. Bonsignore, chasing his fourth victory (third consecutive) at \u201cThe Magic Mile,\u201d emphasized the stakes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always important to win the pole. This is our biggest race of the season. We\u2019re behind in the points right now, so we\u2019ve got to go out and try to win as much as we can and see what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

At midday, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series<\/a> (NCTS) made its long-awaited return to NHMS for the first time since 2017. Qualifying for the Team EJP 175 set the stage for Saturday\u2019s playoff battle, with current points leader Corey Heim earning the top spot on the grid. The 175-lap event will mark a pivotal step in the championship hunt.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely a big advantage to be out front here,\u201d Heim said. \u201cTrack position makes a huge different, so starting on the pole is important. Now it\u2019s about staying there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s schedule wrapped up just outside the main oval with the annual SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels event at The Flat Track. Fans were treated to an evening of high-intensity dirt racing, highlighting the variety of disciplines and excitement that have become staples of NHMS\u2019s annual NASCAR weekend.<\/p>\n

Friday Flat Track feature winners included:<\/p>\n


\nTravis Billington (Sprint Cars of New England Feature One)
\nMatt Tanner (Sprint Cars of New England Feature Two)
\nRobert Leonard (Granite State Micro Sprints 500s Feature)
\nJacob Perry (Xtreme Dirt Midget Association Feature)
\nChase Rodgers (Granite State Micro Sprints 600s Feature)
\nWill Hull (Sprint Cars of New England Showdown Race) <\/p>\n

Of note, a miscommunication by the flagger resulted in Jake Wolf slowing one lap too early, allowing Robert Leonard to bet by and win the Granite State Micro Sprints 500s Feature.<\/p>\n

Hull, a two-time Sprint Cars of New England (SCoNE) champion (2018, 2019) from Plainfield, Vt., is now a three-time NHMS Dirt Duels champ and third on the all-time SCoNE win list.<\/p>\n

On-track action continues on Doubleheader Saturday<\/a> with the Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race, the Team EJP 175 NCTS Playoffs race and NCS practice and qualifying. The on-track action culminates Sunday with the NCS taking on \u201cThe Magic Mile\u201d to kick off the Round of 12 with the Mobil 1 301<\/a>. Don\u2019t miss all of the exciting off-track action including \u201cThe Magic Mile\u201d Happy Hour Show<\/a>, Trackside Live<\/a>, The Groove<\/a> fan hangout, a Draw the Line<\/a> concert, driver appearances<\/a>, a variety of live performances and much more.<\/p>\n

For a full NASCAR<\/a> weekend schedule, visit NHMS.com\/Events\/Mobil-1-301\/Schedule\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tickets:
For tickets and camping for New England\u2019s only NASCAR Playoffs weekend, featuring the Mobil 1 301 NCS and Team EJP 175 NCTS Playoffs races and the Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race, fans should visit NHMS.com<\/a> or call 833-4LOUDON. Tickets for kids 12 and under are just $10 on Sunday and free on Doubleheader Saturday.<\/p>\n

Follow Us:
Keep track of all of New Hampshire Motor Speedway\u2019s events by following on Facebook<\/a>\u00a0(@NHMotorSpeedway), X<\/a>\u00a0(@NHMS) and Instagram<\/a>\u00a0(@NHMS). Keep up with all the latest information on the speedway website<\/a>\u00a0(NHMS.com) and mobile app.<\/p>\n