New Hampshire considering lights; other uses for track

NH Motor Speedway

David McGrath is new at the top for New Hampshire Motor Speedway, but he already has four years of experience helping the track improve its performance in the Granite State. McGrath, 51, was named the speedway's executive vice president and general manager one month ago, replacing Jerry Gappens. Now he's in the corner office, leading the business that has become the state's preeminent sports and entertainment venue, and one of the top venues in New England. He's trying to find new ways of using the property. And he's thinking big.

He's building on many of Gappens' efforts to expand operations at the 1,200-acre facility. Among the ideas the speedway has been considering is the addition of lights above the 1.058-mile oval track, which is one of the more distinctive racing loops in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Lights, a multimillion-dollar investment, would allow night racing, something NASCAR fans have been asking for, McGrath said. It would need the approval of the town, and the track would seek the approval of area residents. Such a move would also require the approval of NASCAR "and our broadcasting partners," he said.

McGrath also wants to find new ways of using and selling the track, and for bringing more people there on a year-round basis. NHMS already offers numerous attractions besides its two Sprint Cup races, such as serving as host to the Daniel Webster Council's Boy Scout Jamboree in the fall and hosting high-profile motorcycle races during Motorcycle Week in the Granite State. He's considering hosting an Ironman Triathlon or a Tough Mudder mud run, the kinds of events that are held at other venues in the state during warmer months. Also receiving strong consideration is a return of snowmobile racing during winter months.

But most of his work revolves around the major NASCAR events, which fill the 88,000-seat grandstands in July and September each year. He hopes to bring new "decking space" for fans outside of the first two turns of the track. New Hampshire Union Leader