New Hampshire

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire, for the Dollar Tree 301. This race represents one of the most anticipated stops on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, bringing premier stock car racing to New England. New Hampshire Motor Speedway, known as "The Magic Mile," offers a unique challenge for drivers and teams with its flat banking and distinctive layout.

Race Overview

The Dollar Tree 301 will feature 301 laps around the 1.058-mile oval, covering a total distance of 318.458 miles. New Hampshire Motor Speedway earned its "extra mile" nickname when Speedway Motorsports, Inc. added the additional lap to the race distance. The NASCAR Cup Series event highlights a full weekend of racing at New Hampshire, which also includes the Team EJP 175, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series regular season finale.

Circuit Characteristics

New Hampshire Motor Speedway features a distinctive paper-clip shape with long straightaways and tight corners. The oval measures 1.058 miles in length. Each straightaway extends 1,500 feet, while all four turns maintain a consistent radius of 450 feet. The track presents a unique test for NASCAR Cup Series competitors with its progressive banking that ranges from two to seven degrees in the turns and one degree on the straightaways.

This configuration makes New Hampshire Motor Speedway the flattest oval currently on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The progressive banking allows for multiple racing grooves, which creates competitive racing throughout the field. The facility accommodates 44,000 spectators and includes additional racing surfaces beyond the main oval, including a 1.6-mile road course, a 0.25-mile mini oval, and a 0.25-mile dirt flat track.

Technical Specifications for 2026

The NASCAR Cup Series has implemented several rule changes for the season. Engine output at tracks under 1.5 miles, including New Hampshire Motor Speedway, has increased from 670 to 750 horsepower. This change affects how teams approach setup and strategy for the Dollar Tree 301.

All NASCAR Cup Series cars now feature mandatory A-post flaps to help prevent flips, with bright orange undersides for visibility. The short-track and road-course rules package applies at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which includes a three-inch rear spoiler and fewer diffuser strakes compared to larger tracks.

Playoff Format Changes

The NASCAR Cup Series has returned to "The Chase" playoff format for the season. The top 16 drivers in points after the 26 regular-season races qualify for the playoffs. Starting points in the Chase are staggered based on regular-season standings. A race win now awards 55 points, an increase from the previous 40 points. Playoff points are no longer part of the system.

The fastest lap bonus point rule has been modified. A car that enters the garage during a race becomes ineligible for the fastest lap bonus point. However, any fastest lap recorded before entering the garage remains valid.

Expected Participants

The NASCAR Cup Series field at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will include chartered teams and their drivers. These organizations represent the top tier of stock car racing competition. New Hampshire Motor Speedway has hosted many successful drivers throughout its NASCAR Cup Series history, with Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick each earning four wins at the track. Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and Jimmie Johnson have each won three times at the facility.

Track History

New Hampshire Motor Speedway opened in its current oval configuration in 1990. Bob Bahre built the facility, which later became part of Speedway Motorsports, LLC in 2007. The track previously operated as Bryar Motorsports Park from 1965 to 1989 and was known as New Hampshire International Speedway from 1989 to 2007.

NASCAR first sanctioned competition at the facility with an Xfinity Series race in July 1990, won by Tommy Ellis. The NASCAR Cup Series made its debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 11, 1993, with Rusty Wallace winning the inaugural event. The track hosted two NASCAR Cup Series races annually from 1997 to 2017 before transitioning to one race per year starting in 2018.

Notable Moments

New Hampshire Motor Speedway has been the site of several significant moments in NASCAR Cup Series history. The "lucky dog" rule was introduced at the track in 2003. Joey Logano became the youngest winner in NASCAR Cup Series history at the facility in 2009, winning at 19 years, 1 month, and 4 days old in a rain-shortened race. Jeff Burton led all 300 laps in his fourth and final win at New Hampshire in 2000. Kurt Busch completed a season sweep of the Magic Mile in 2004, the year he won the championship, and the track hosted the first-ever playoff race that same year.

Unique Features

New Hampshire Motor Speedway serves as New England's largest sporting and entertainment facility, covering approximately 1,200 acres. The track's mascot, Milo the Moose, derives his name from the facility being a mile oval. Winners at New Hampshire Motor Speedway traditionally receive a lobster in Victory Lane, celebrating the region's New England heritage.

The speedway is located in Loudon, New Hampshire, approximately 14 miles northeast of Concord and about an hour north of Boston. This location provides easy access for fans from major metropolitan areas throughout the Northeast region. The Dollar Tree 301 offers NASCAR Cup Series fans in New England a chance to experience premier stock car racing at a facility that combines challenging racing with regional character.

The flat banking and tight corners at New Hampshire Motor Speedway create a distinct racing experience compared to other tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. Teams must balance setup for the long straightaways with the need for grip in the progressively banked corners. This balance makes the Dollar Tree 301 a true test of driver skill and team preparation.