Green Flag Ready: The Crayon 301 Ignites NASCAR Weekend in Loudon

By Angela Houle
EAGLE TIMES CORRESPONDENT
LOUDON, NH — Despite the devastating floods and threat of rain, New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH, continues to gear up for its annual NASCAR Cup Series race, the Crayon 301, set to take place this weekend.

The event is expected to draw a crowd of 75,000-80,000 fans, solidifying its status as one of the most popular NASCAR races in the country.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway has strong ties to the local community. Speedway Safety Services, a locally owned company based in Claremont, has been an integral partner of the speedway since it opened in 1990.

Dale Girard, owner, said the firm has a long-standing partnership with the speedway.

“Our family has been proudly providing medical and fire support to NHMS since its inception,” Girard said. “My dad initiated this partnership, and we are honored to continue the tradition of ensuring the safety and well-being of all involved.”

Since its inception in the early 1990s, NASCAR races have been held at NHMS. This race has garnered a reputation for close competition and fan-friendly experiences,

This weekend’s lineup will feature several NASCAR events, including the Ambetter Health 200 Xfinity Series race and the Mohegan Sun 100 Whelen Modified Tour race on Saturday and finish out with the feature Cup Series race on Sunday, the Crayon 301.

Beyond the racing action, fans can also enjoy live concerts and various activities taking place throughout the weekend.

William Byron, the current points leader, enters the race as the favorite, but he faces fierce competition from the likes of Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, and Christopher Bell.

The speedway, also known as the “Magic Mile,” is a 1,058-mile oval track. Race enthusiasts can catch the action live on July 16, at 2:30 p.m. The race will be broadcast on the USA Network, NBC Sports App, PRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, allowing fans around the country to be part of the action.