NASCAR returns to the Magic Mile. After a seven-year hiatus from the Playoff spotlight, New Hampshire Motor Speedway roars back into championship relevance, hosting its 58th Cup Series race and the first Round of 12 event since 2017 (Mobil 1 301 | Sunday | 2:00 p.m. ET | USA Network, HBO Max). Once a staple of the postseason grind, Loudon was long the gateway to title contention. Now, it returns— carrying with it a legacy of triumph, turmoil, and championship dreams.
Weekend Tune-In Guide – New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Saturday | NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour | Mohegan Sun 100
- Saturday, September 20 | 9:15 a.m. ET | FloRacing
- The Mohegan Sun 100 will bring the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour back to “The Magic Mile,” where tight packs and high speeds promise a thrilling start to Doubleheader Saturday at NHMS.
Saturday | NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series | Team EJP 175
- Saturday, September 20 | 12:00 p.m. ET | FS1 | NRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
- Playoffs Round of 10 elimination race. The bottom four drivers will be cut from the Playoffs following the race conclusion (click for playoff standings).
Saturday | NASCAR Cup Series | Mobil 1 301
- Sunday, September 21 | 2:00 p.m. ET | USA Network, HBO Max | PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
- First race of Playoffs Round of 12 (click for playoff standings).
NASCAR Regional Spotlight: NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national championship to be decided this weekend
- It all comes down to this. This is the final weekend to score points towards NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division I national championship.
- As of Wednesday morning, Minnesota’s Jacob Goede holds a two-point advantage on Virginia’s Chase Johnson (442 to 440) in the battle for the national title.
- Goede will be in action Saturday at Minnesota’s Elko Speedway while Johnson will be racing Saturday at Virginia’s Dominion Raceway as both drivers chase points towards the national championship.
- Action begins at Elko at 6 p.m. CT and cars hit the track at Dominion at 5 p.m. ET. Tickets are available at either elkospeedway.com or dominionraceway.com
Cool Facts & Hot Stats
- Five drivers earned their first career Cup win at New Hampshire (most recent: Joey Logano in 2009).
- Four of the last nine winners at NHMS earned their first win of the season there.
- NHMS has seen only one overtime finish since 2014 — and it came last year.
- Chevrolet leads all makes with 19 wins, but just one win in the last 18 races at NHMS.
Current Playoff Picture
- Joe Gibbs Racing is red-hot:
- Swept the entire Round of 16.
- Won the last three Playoff races.
- Led 68% of all Playoff laps.
- Toyota has dominated the Playoffs:
- Won all three races.
- Led 78% of all laps.
- Chevrolet, in contrast, has only two top-5s in the Playoffs.
Round of 12 Reset: The Numbers Game
- Denny Hamlin – NHMS is one of his best tracks (three wins).
- William Byron – Still no Top 10s at New Hampshire.
- Kyle Larson – Three runner-ups but only 22 laps led at NHMS.
- Christopher Bell – Won 2 of last 3 at NHMS.
- Ryan Blaney – Inconsistent performance at Loudon.
- Chase Briscoe – Finished runner-up here in 2024.
- Chase Elliott – Just 1 Top 10 in last 4 NHMS races.
- Bubba Wallace – Two top 10s in last three NHMS starts.
- Austin Cindric – Best finish at NHMS is 13th.
- Joey Logano – Two-time NHMS winner.
- Ross Chastain – Three top 10s in last four NHMS starts.
- Tyler Reddick – Finished sixth in last two Loudon races.
Team Trends: Joe Gibbs’ Granite Grip
At New Hampshire (Next Gen Era):
- Three straight wins (Christopher Bell 2022, Martin Truex Jr. 2023, Bell 2024)
- At least one car Top-2 in last 13 NHMS races — Cup Series record.
In the 2025 Playoffs:
- Three wins, three different drivers (Chase Briscoe at Darlington, Denny Hamlin at WWTR, Bell at Bristol)
- Nine Top-10 finishes.
NHMS: The Good, The Sleepers & The Strugglers
Ones-to-watch
- Christopher Bell – NHMS master: two Cup wins, four-for-four in Xfinity, Truck winner too.
- Denny Hamlin – Three wins, six runner-ups, dominant in past Playoff rounds.
Sleepers
- Chase Briscoe – 2nd last year, Top 10 in all three Next Gen races at NHMS.
- Tyler Reddick – Quietly consistent, trending up.
Something to prove
- William Byron – Only track without a Top 10 in Cup; Hendrick winless here since 2012.
- Alex Bowman – Just one Top 10 in 13 NHMS starts.
Ty Majeski Eyes Critical New Hampshire Race in 2025 Truck Series Title Defense
- Ty Majeski, defending NASCAR Truck Series champion, is preparing for the return of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) using simulators and iRacing, aiming to stay competitive in the 2025 championship hunt.
- The upcoming NHMS race on Sept. 20 is a critical playoff cutoff event, marking the first Truck Series race at the track since 2017 and playing a key role in reducing the playoff field from 10 to eight drivers.
- Majeski is excited to race at NHMS, noting its similarity to his home track in Milwaukee, and sees the open practice sessions as a key opportunity to dial in his truck for a strong showing.
New Hampshire Sets The Stage For CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff Elimination Race
For more: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series News & Notes – New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Christopher Bell Soaks in Boston Ahead of New Hampshire Playoffs Race
- Christopher Bell explored Boston with a Duck Boat tour, Italian cooking session in the North End, and a heartwarming visit with patients at Boston Children’s Hospital, all in celebration of the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
- The two-time NHMS winner embraced local culture and connected with fans and media, showcasing his excitement for returning to New England to kick off the Round of 12 on Sunday, Sept. 21.
- Bell’s visit highlights the lead-up to a packed NASCAR weekend at NHMS, featuring three days of racing and entertainment from Sept. 19–21, including Truck, Modified, and Cup Series events.
First-Ever NASCAR Hauler Parade Rolls Through Concord to Launch Playoffs Weekend
- New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte will wave the green flag in front of the State Capitol as 40 NASCAR Cup Series haulers parade through downtown Concord on Friday, Sept. 19 at 1 p.m., marking the start of New England’s NASCAR Playoffs weekend.
- The haulers, led by the NHMS pace car and escorted by state police, will travel from Steeplegate Mall through Main Street before heading to New Hampshire Motor Speedway via Route 106.
- The parade kicks off a full weekend at NHMS (Sept. 19–21) featuring NASCAR Truck, Modified, and Cup Series racing, plus fan events, concerts, fireworks, and more.
Ricky Craven to Lead the Field as Honorary Pace Car Driver at NHMS
Photo Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images Two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner and Maine native Ricky Craven will serve as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the Mobil 1 301 on Sunday, Sept. 21, leading the field to green at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
- Craven will also make several fan appearances throughout the weekend, including autograph sessions, live shows, and charity events during New England’s only NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs stop.
- Craven, a fan favorite in the region, brings deep racing roots and history to “The Magic Mile”. His appearance at NHMS as a local racing icon adds excitement and hometown pride to the start of the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 12.
Closing Thoughts: Magic Mile Mayhem Awaits
As the Playoff field shrinks and pressure mounts, New Hampshire reclaims its role as the great separator. Will Toyota’s dominance continue? Can Chevrolet break a 13-year drought? And who will make the most of the narrow margins that define the Round of 12?
Next Race: Mobil 1 301 from New Hampshire Motor Speedway | Sunday, September 21 | 2:00 p.m. ET | USA Network, HBO Max