New Trackside Safety Fence Up and Ready for LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
New and enhanced trackside safety fencing is up along the grandstand sides of the racing surface at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Approximately 3,400 feet of fencing was installed. The lower portion is reinforced with six strands of 5/8-inch, high-strength cable, while the upper portion consists of sixteen strands of 3/8-inch cable. “Wheel fence” arch posts also raise the overall height of the safety fence to over 21 feet.
The upgrade process, which began construction in April, will be completed in time for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 event week as planned. The new fence system is consistent with safety standards at other Speedway Motorsports, Inc.-owned and operated facilities.
“This was not a reaction to what happened in Talladega,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, referring to Carl Edwards’ wreck on the last lap which injured seven fans. “Bruton Smith, our chairman, put this project on the top of our priority list for 2009 facility improvements, utilizing the improved technology and engineering used at other SMI facilities and installing it here.”
The previous grandstand safety fence measured 16 feet in height from the track’s surface, 12½ feet high from the grandstand surface side. The new fence measures 21 and a half feet in height from the racing surface, 18 feet on the grandstand side.
“We are upgrading many aspects of New Hampshire Motor Speedway to Speedway Motorsports, Inc.’s standards, and this fell right in place with the infield renovations in process for the June race,” said John Zudell, Vice President of Operations and Development at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Tickets for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 are on sale now. The new MegaTicket package features three days of racing for $99. The LENOX Speed Zone seating section offers fans a $39 ticket. With these promotions, fans have the unique opportunity to experience NASCAR racing for approximately 13 cents a lap!
To purchase tickets to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway LENOX Industrial Tools 301 and SYLVANIA 300 weekends, please stop by the Ticket Office in Loudon, call our Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931 or visit the speedway online at www.nhms.com.
Sources:Fred Neergaard/New Hampshire Motor Speedway PR