The last oval track race for 2023 in New England occurred on the final weekend in October at the Claremont Speedway Park (NH) Speedway. While there were many divisions in the pit area, the overall number of race cars was disappointing!
The Super Modifieds only drew 13 entries while the Modifieds had 5 for two features while the Late Models only had 15. Those events were held on Saturday of that weekend. Sunday’s car count was a mere 13 for the ACT Type Late Models with only just 4 for the Dirt Modifieds. The Open Street Stocks starting just 9 entries for three features.
Claremont has never been noted for drawing lots of race cars. Going on the final weekend of the seven-month racing season should have brought in more cars into the pits, as other tracks were shut down. The results were no doubt due the lack of promotion and possibly the offered purse money. Claremont has never been one of the consistent top drawing venues in the southern portion of the Granite State.
The track is located in the sparse area of NH and suffering from the lack of population and businesses. In the center of that town many store fronts are empty.
Considering the bad economy in the entire country, it appears that short-track racing in New England could be on the verge of a major setback. One knowledgeable observer, who covers racing in the north-country area, predicts that 2024 will suffer from the lack of entries and race fans.
Southern NH has five racing venues along the southern border of Massachusetts. Going east to west is Hudson Speedway. Then Star Speedway in Epping, NH, Lee USA in that town, Monadnock in Winchester, NH and then Claremont.
A few years ago, all of those track operators/promoters got together for a major alliance to work together under a NASCAR umbrella. We were surprised when one of the tracks backed out and what sounded like potential success just faded away.
Also, For the past few years many short tracks in New England have been stingy by not sending out press releases to the media. Somehow the attitude by those tracks is that they can save money! Because they have a webpage and also keep the latest information and also on Facebook. They have the attitude that it covers everything. Not true! Results and pre-race releases and internet posters should be sent out weekly to the media.
Sorry to hear that Stowe, VT’s Ken Squier passed away. He was a guy who mastered the TV business as an announcer for motor racing, skiing and other sports when it was needed. Not only at the top level with the NASCAR Cup Series. He also owned four radio stations dubbed Radio Vermont as well as Thunder Road Speedway in Barre, VT and the American Canadian Tour with his late partner Tom Curley. RIP Ken as you will be missed as is Tom Curley.
We got the unofficial word that both Cris Micheau of ACT and Tom Mayberry of PASS are returning to the Thompson Speedway with plans to lease that track again and run 12 events in 2024. There’s talk of three Whelen Modified Tour races and at least one Monaco Ford Modified Tour events topping the card among other special events. Now the only question is when will the 5/8 -mile track get repaved and who will pay for it?
