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N.H. Motor Speedway Loses One Of Its NASCAR Race Weekends

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The New Hampshire Motor Speedway is losing one of its two NASCAR race weekends.

An announcement was made Wednesday that beginning in 2018, the Loudon speedway would no longer host its September event, which will be held instead in Las Vegas.

The track will continue to host its race weekend in July.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway has hosted a pair of major race events annually going back to 1996, according to the Concord Monitor.

The September event will be held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which, like the New Hampshire track, is owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc.

"The fantastic support that NASCAR as a sport and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway receive from Las Vegas is phenomenal, and it really has proven to be something that we can't ignore," SMI CEO and President Marcus Smith said.

Officials at N.H. Motor Speedway have scheduled a press conference for Thursday morning.

Governor Chris Sununu says he's disappointed by the news, but remains optimistic.

“We look forward to welcoming race fans to Loudon in July and partnering with NH Motor Speedway to identify new events that could call New Hampshire home,” he said.

State Republican Party Chair Jeanie Forrester also weighed in, placing blame on former governors Maggie Hassan and John Lynch, both Democrats.

“It is a shame our previous two governors have done so little to keep them, and so many other businesses in New Hampshire,” Forrester said.

Michael serves as NHPR's Program Director. Michael came to NHPR in 2012, working as the station's newscast producer/reporter. In 2015, he took on the role of Morning Edition producer. Michael worked for eight years at The Telegraph of Nashua, covering education and working as the metro editor.
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