NASCAR This Weekend!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Thought I'd post a heads up for potential traffic trouble. Looks like great weather for the upcoming races.

NASCAR This Weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway!

09/18/09
Heluva Good! Fall Pole Day | NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
3:10pm

09/18/09
Heluva Good! Fall 125 | NASCAR Camping World Series East
5:00pm

09/19/09
New Hampshire 100 | NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
1:00pm

09/19/09
Heluva Good! 200 | NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
3:00pm

09/19/09
The ACT Invitational | American-Canadian Tour
5:30pm

09/20/09
SYLVANIA 300 | NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
2:00pm

[fatlazyless]

It just figures that the Winni Rowing Regatta, held on Saturday Sept 19, 7am-2pm, in Meredith Bay with 120 row shells and 400 rowers is an all woman rower event while the NASCAR is 100% men drivers.

Why is that?

Because the guys want the power of 600hp race cars without much of any physical effort. Sort of like the 1200hp go-fast power boats.

The women are happy to ruw-row-row their team boat while the guys just want to move the accelerator forward about two inches and there's never enough horsepower. ....go figure that one out?

[jmen24]

Time to do some research FLL. Danica Patrick will be making a move into a national touring NASCAR series next year. Sorry to blow your whole theory on things.

[dpg]

Had four tickets for Sunday....Gave them away....

[chipj29]

The youth football team I coach has a game in Laconia at 9am on Saturday. We are planning on avoiding Rt 106. Any ideas on what traffic will be like at 7:30-8AM Saturday morning heading up I-93?

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by chipj29

The youth football team I coach has a game in Laconia at 9am on Saturday. We are planning on avoiding Rt 106. Any ideas on what traffic will be like at 7:30-8AM Saturday morning heading up I-93?

Saturday morning will hardly be any different than a typical Saturday this time of year.Sunday morning however is a whole different story.I'm usually in the concord area by 8:00ish when headed to the "big" race on Sunday.Traffic is still fine that early.About 1/2 way up 106 to Loudon at that time though,even with 3 lanes headed north,the slowdown starts.In a weird way I kind of like all the excitement of being in the middle of all that and traveling in the wrong lanes legally.It moves pretty good at that time of the morning but there are a lot of cars already getting there early.

[jmen24]

Saturday morning will have two lanes of travel heading north from south of the track, you will not be slowed down at all, just make sure to use the two lanes, most people do not have a clue on using the breakdown lane as a travel lane during these days.

[Argie's Wife]

Route 140 is never fun those weekends, because that's the way all the Maine-ahs come in to see the races.

[rick35]

The state didn't plan very well for all the traffic the race brings. Lots of construction in the Hooksett-Concord area on 93 when I came up to the lake late this afternoon. No way I'm going back through that until well after the race is over Sunday evening.

[jmen24]

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

Route 140 is never fun those weekends, because that's the way all the Maine-ahs come in to see the races.

The roads in and around Loudon on the race weekend really are not that bad exept for Sunday morning and immediately following the race. The difference is that they do not let you out of the line of traffic on 106 to use side roads after the race, but before the race you can enter the stream of traffic at specific locations along the route. The house I grew up in and parents still occupy is approx. 2 miles as the crow flies from the track and about 4-5 from the track depending on the route choosen. Starting about 4 years ago on Sunday mornings the road they live on is grid lock, mostly because polic time the intervals of traffic entering the flow on 106. Last year and this summer it really was not that bad traffic wise (who knows why) but after the race the traffic is moving *** to get out of dodge as quick as they can. That to me is the worse part of it. Heading north away from the track is always better traffic wise than south, but you will eventually catch up to the traffic unless you maintain the backroads.

It is depressing to see that the fans have started finding these backroads around the traffic. For us locals it was alway easy to get from one end of loudon to the other running parallel to 106 without ever needing to touch 106. That made going to work on Sunday, so much easier, but now that is not as easy, still can be done but you have to way out and around. We have not gone to the Cup races for years as we can watch on TV or sit on the front porch and listen to the PA at the track. I agree the NH needs a plan to deal with race traffic to use the main routes and allow for smoother exiting.

I will admit it is not as fun as it use to be to ride down to Dudley's ice cream and sit on the tailgate and watch five lanes of traffic exiting for all they had, but not being able to get emergency vehicles around with the side roads made that change to keeping an open opposing lane needed. Should be a great weekend for the races.

[VtSteve]

I-89 in Vermont this morning was filled with convoys of people from NY, VT and Canada. All headed your way for the races. I passed a convoy of ten travel trailers all in a single row. At least business in the region will be brisk this weekend.

[riverat]

A friend talked me into going this Sunday(free ticket) and I have never gone to the races before, I am coming from Alton and am wondering what time should I leave to avoid all this traffic and what roads should I take?
I'd rather watch it on tv but he really wants to go and I am driving. Not looking forward to the mass exodus after the race, is it better to wait it out?

[lil bear]

The earliest I will be able to pass through the Concord/Tilton exits en route to the lake via 93N is approx 2:30 or 3pm on Saturday. Is it reasonable to assume that the bulk of the NASCAR traffic will be already parked at the Speedway and I should be able to breeze through between 2:30-4pm? Any recommendations appreciated. I'm headed to Meredith. Thx

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by lil bear

The earliest I will be able to pass through the Concord/Tilton exits en route to the lake via 93N is approx 2:30 or 3pm on Saturday. Is it reasonable to assume that the bulk of the NASCAR traffic will be already parked at the Speedway and I should be able to breeze through between 2:30-4pm? Any recommendations appreciated. I'm headed to Meredith. Thx

At that time on Saturday you should not have any troubles at all. It may be a bit heavier than usual, esp coming through Concord, but I doubt you will experience gridlock anywhere.

[jmen24]

Originally Posted by riverat

A friend talked me into going this Sunday(free ticket) and I have never gone to the races before, I am coming from Alton and am wondering what time should I leave to avoid all this traffic and what roads should I take?
I'd rather watch it on tv but he really wants to go and I am driving. Not looking forward to the mass exodus after the race, is it better to wait it out?

Check your PM

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by lil bear

The earliest I will be able to pass through the Concord/Tilton exits en route to the lake via 93N is approx 2:30 or 3pm on Saturday. Is it reasonable to assume that the bulk of the NASCAR traffic will be already parked at the Speedway and I should be able to breeze through between 2:30-4pm? Any recommendations appreciated. I'm headed to Meredith. Thx

You'll be the only there at that time.the race starts at 2:00 and usually ends about 6:00.

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by riverat

A friend talked me into going this Sunday(free ticket) and I have never gone to the races before, I am coming from Alton and am wondering what time should I leave to avoid all this traffic and what roads should I take?
I'd rather watch it on tv but he really wants to go and I am driving. Not looking forward to the mass exodus after the race, is it better to wait it out?

If your coming from Alton you'll encounter very little traffic until right before you get to the track.Take Rt 140 to 106 south and enter in the north entrance.I like to get there by 8:00 to 9:00ish to beat the real crunch.Make a whole day of it and either tailgate before or walk around the huge concessions area.There are many vendors making breakfast.You'll have plenty of time to walk through the all the vendor booths to check out all the other things going on around the track.Make sure to bring comfortable walking footwear.I've never sat in the grandstands but you can even bring your own cooler(yes beer too) in the stands last I knew.I'll be in the reserved RV area on the grassy hill.Plenty of b-b-cue grills going looking over the whole track.I also like to wait at least a couple of hours before leaving if headed south.Heading north out of the main or north gates should not have to long a wait to get out.Have fun.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

If your coming from Alton you'll encounter very little traffic until right before you get to the track.Take Rt 140 to 106 south and enter in the north entrance.I like to get there by 8:00 to 9:00ish to beat the real crunch.Make a whole day of it and either tailgate before or walk around the huge concessions area.There are many vendors making breakfast.You'll have plenty of time to walk through the all the vendor booths to check out all the other things going on around the track.Make sure to bring comfortable walking footwear.I've never sat in the grandstands but you can even bring your own cooler(yes beer too) in the stands last I knew.I'll be in the reserved RV area on the grassy hill.Plenty of b-b-cue grills going looking over the whole track.I also like to wait at least a couple of hours before leaving if headed south.Heading north out of the main or north gates should not have to long a wait to get out.Have fun.

SIKSUKR, your not supposed to give up the good advice to arrive early like this...... Of course I whole heartedly agree..... This is my Fourth year going to the Fall Race. I always arrive, around 8 - 8:30...... and before you know it it is 2 pm and the race is starting.....

and heading North after the race is not bad at all..... Here is a tip though, whether you leave Imediately following the race, or wait 1 hour, I still get home at the same time..... In Short don't rush out........

I will be sitting right across from you in the main grandstand.....

[Jonas Pilot]

Tony Stewart's car being pushed to the pole position for the June Lenox 301.

[robmac]

I haven't missed a race since the first cup race. I like to be there and set up by 8-8:30

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by dpg

Had four tickets for Sunday....Gave them away....

We had four tickets for the race but work got in the way!

If you want to see REAL racing go down to Lee USA on RT. 125 and watch the NEMA Midgets on 9/18....Ryan Newman raced with them earlier this year. Midgets produce some good drives like Stewart, Gordon, Kayne, Newman, the late Kenny Irwin, Schrader, A.J. Foyt, Mario.....

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

It just figures that the Winni Rowing Regatta, held on Saturday Sept 19, 7am-2pm, in Meredith Bay with 120 row shells and 400 rowers is an all woman rower event while the NASCAR is 100% men drivers.

Why is that?

Because the guys want the power of 600hp race cars without much of any physical effort. Sort of like the 1200hp go-fast power boats.

The women are happy to ruw-row-row their team boat while the guys just want to move the accelerator forward about two inches and there's never enough horsepower. ....go figure that one out?

FLL, try driving a stock car full out for a few hundred miles, there is a lot of physical effort.

[Argie's Wife]

jmen24 - The traffic started Thursday night, to tell ya the truth. Several long caravans of RV's, campers, and the like were seen rumbling through little ol' Main St. Alton, and then turning onto Route 140. You can always tell when the race is over - getting onto 140 is very tricky... (and I wonder if some of the cars were *in* the race because of how they are driving.)

SIKSUKR - Thanks for the great tip on how to get around the major traffic. If your doorbell rings and there's a burning bag of ________ on your doorstep... well.... I have no idea who that coulda been.

(j/k of course - I think today's GPS devices have helped to enabled folks to find that little short cut...)

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by riverat

A friend talked me into going this Sunday(free ticket) and I have never gone to the races before, I am coming from Alton and am wondering what time should I leave to avoid all this traffic and what roads should I take?
I'd rather watch it on tv but he really wants to go and I am driving. Not looking forward to the mass exodus after the race, is it better to wait it out?

Route 11 to 106! Make the left off of 11 bewteen (is that 11D) the movie theater and before Walmart in Gilford. Signs for the Speedway are on 11 when you near the exit for 106.
140 may be shorter but it a twisty road.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

not 11D.
That's in Alton.

[loony]

we are up in the lakes region. When is the best time to travel through Concord Sunday afternoon/evening to avoid traffic?

[Jonas Pilot]

... one of these, it doesn't matter!

[Argie's Wife]

Originally Posted by gtxrider

Route 11 to 106! Make the left off of 11 bewteen (is that 11D) the movie theater and before Walmart in Gilford. Signs for the Speedway are on 11 when you near the exit for 106.
140 may be shorter but it a twisty road.

I think you mean 11B, not 11D.

RG is correct - 11D is in Alton.

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

I think you mean 11B, not 11D.

RG is correct - 11D is in Alton.

I stand corrected.



I would head to out anytime between the Green Flag and the Checkered Flag...

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by chipj29

The youth football team I coach has a game in Laconia at 9am on Saturday. We are planning on avoiding Rt 106. Any ideas on what traffic will be like at 7:30-8AM Saturday morning heading up I-93?

Well, we had no troubles at all on Saturday. Hardly any traffic going into Laconia. Coming out was a different story. No gridlock, but Rt 3 was pretty backed up at the intersections, nothing unusual though.

[riverat]

Got to the track Sunday morning around 9:15AM, parked in the handicap section of the Frontier Lot(hardly any traffic). Took several Golf Cart rides to various parts of the track to see what was there(first timer).

After lunch we took our seats in the nosebleed section of the Laconia grandstand proceeded to bake like a potatoe skin on an aluminum cookie sheet. Now, I have watched the races on the TV for many years and have enjoyed them very much....But between the roar of the cars(which were atleast as loud as the 2 jet flyover directly over us) and the smell of the fumes from the cars and the people chainsmoking infront of us, I think I will continue to watch them on TV only from now on. Now I know why almost everyone had something either over or in their ears.

Waited for the checkered flag and headed down the hundred steps only to go back up fifty more, to the tram at the bottom of heart attack hill and to our parking lot, in the car and out to 106 in about 15 minutes and home in Alton in less than 1 hour! I was really amazed how the traffic flowed, although I believe our timing had a lot to do about it.

Was different, but not for me.

[dpg]

Originally Posted by gtxrider

FLL, try driving a stock car full out for a few hundred miles, there is a lot of physical effort.

I was up at the track for the Marlboro hot laps event in August. It was the extremely hot week we had in August, the day I was there I believe hit 90 but in the direct sun down on the track it felt much hotter. I was driven around the track in a racecar for 3 laps and I was roasting when I got out of my suit. Although fun all I kept thinking to myself is how can they do this for hours at a time? I know I have a new respect for them.