Claremont Speedway Preview
Claremont to Open Friday Night with Granite State Pro Stocks
Claremont (NH) Speedway will be back in action this season. Four people bought the former Twin State Speedway track during the offseason. New ownership did some remodeling to make it look more presentable for fans. The track’s 4 divisions will be returning: the ACT Late Models, Super Streets, Limited Sportsman, and Wildcats.
The Granite State Pro Stock Series will open the season on Friday night with a 125 lap race. Thrillin’ Dillon Moltz won the season opening Icebreaker at Thompson (CT) Speedway Motorsports Park. It will be the first race for the series since 2011, when Chris Wilk claimed the inaugural event. Several touring series will be visiting including the Valenti Modified Racing Series July 10, and the NEMA Midgets and NEMA Lites on August 21. The track will have the Sunday Karting Series and Mud Bog Series. The track will host four combination car shows and concerts. The acts will be announced.
It is all about nostalgia for the new owners. Phil Hayes, one of the new owners, has been going to the speedway for 35 years. “It was always in the back of my mind ever since I was a kid that I would run a racetrack,” Hayes said.
The business plan is to take it step by step, but these new owners are in it for the long haul. They hope to have a campground at the track in the future for fans and racers. Hayes retired on March 3 after 21 years in the trucking business to focus on the track.
“I’m all in. I refuse to fail. We will bring this back to a place to be for adults and children. The racers are going to love to be there.”
The word of mouth has been very positive for Claremont.
“We’re doing all the concessions ourselves. We’re going to have a basic, but quality menu. We’re going to do tons of things that are kid oriented that I feel personally that there is a 10 year gap in children that were not exposed to the racing thing as I was as a child and I think they’re missing out and we’re gonna bring that back. We’re implementing a kids club, a driving school from 12 to 14, anything that we can think of to get the kids. We have a whole list of ideas. We just need to implement them one at a time to see what works, what doesn’t, and move forward from there.”
Claremont will have 20 racing events this season.
“Hopefully we don’t get rained out more than a couple times. My personal goal is 1,500 fans per week, which I feel is tamable. I’ve had a lot of people say no. I don’t believe it for a second. I think we will exceed it.”
The track already has an increased car count in every division.
“It’s gonna be fair. We’re going to do tech every day we race. Every division is getting teched. It’s gonna be fair. Everyone gonna get a fair shake and we’re only human and we’re gonna do our best job.”
The Claremont 125 for the Granite State Pro Stocks is Friday night. The Pit Gates will open at 3:30. Racing will begin at 7:30 PM. Tickets for Adults will be $15.
Sources: Matthew Wiernasz/YankeeRacer.com