New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Track Info

Location	Loudon, New Hampshire
Type	Oval (Modified Short Track)
Length	1.058 miles (1.703 km)
Banking	12 degrees in turns, 7 degrees on frontstretch, 3 degrees on backstretch
Surface	Asphalt
Capacity	~76,000
Opened	1990

Track Characteristics

New Hampshire Motor Speedway - nicknamed "The Magic Mile" - is a unique track that does not fit neatly into any category. At 1.058 miles, it is too long to be a traditional short track but too short to be an intermediate. The relatively flat banking at 12 degrees puts a premium on mechanical grip, and the track surface is known for being abrasive on tires, creating significant tire degradation over long runs.

The low banking means drivers must rely on braking and throttle management rather than carrying speed through the banked turns. This rewards precision and patience, and the driver who can maintain consistent lap times while others fall off tends to have the best results. The track races more like a large short track than a small speedway, with strategy and tire management playing outsized roles.

Set in the forests and lakes of central New Hampshire, the track offers a beautiful New England backdrop for racing. The summer race weekend brings NASCAR to a region with deep roots in modified racing, and the passionate New England fan base turns out in force.

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) - approximately 50 miles south. Boston Logan International (BOS) is about 80 miles southeast.
Nearest City	Loudon, NH. Concord, the state capital, is about 15 miles northwest. The Lakes Region and White Mountains are nearby for extended trips.

Series That Race Here

• NASCAR Cup Series - One race per year
• NASCAR Xfinity Series
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

2026 NASCAR Event Info

Cup Race	Crayon 301
Date	June 28, 2026
TV	USA Network

Track Records

Qualifying Record	Ryan Newman - 133.357 mph (2003)
Race Record	Jeff Burton - 117.134 mph (2000)

Notable Past Races

• 1993: Rusty Wallace won the inaugural Cup race at New Hampshire, the Slick 50 300, establishing the track on the national stage.
• 2001: Dale Jarrett won in emotional fashion, just weeks after the September 11 attacks, in a race that carried deep patriotic significance.
• 2017: Denny Hamlin won a fuel-strategy race at the Magic Mile, stretching his fuel window to the limit while others had to pit.
• 2014: Joey Logano held off Brad Keselowski in a teammate battle that showcased the intensity of the Team Penske rivalry.

Track Facts

• New Hampshire Motor Speedway was built by Bob Bahre, who carved the facility out of the New England woods in 1990.
• The track is nicknamed "The Magic Mile" despite being 1.058 miles, and it races more like a giant short track than a typical one-mile oval.
• The facility includes a 1.6-mile road course and a 0.25-mile oval, and it hosts a variety of events including motorcycle races and driving experiences.
• New Hampshire is one of the only tracks where modified racing - a New England staple - is featured prominently on Cup Series weekends.

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