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Lee USA Speedway

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Coordinates: 43°06′58″N 71°02′24″W / 43.116026°N 71.039973°W / 43.116026; -71.039973
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Lee USA Speedway
Location380 Calef Highway
Lee, New Hampshire
Time zoneEastern: UTC−5 / −4 (DST)
Coordinates43°06′58″N 71°02′24″W / 43.116026°N 71.039973°W / 43.116026; -71.039973
Opened1964 (60 years ago)
Former namesLee Raceway (1964–1983)
Lee Speedway (1984–c.1995)
Websiteleeusaspeedway.com
Oval (since 1984)
Surfaceasphalt
Length3/8 miles (0.6 km)
Banking12 degree corners
  8 degree straights

Lee USA Speedway is a short-track oval race track located in Lee, New Hampshire.[a]

History

The facility opened as Lee Raceway in 1964 as a dirt tri-oval, 1⁄3 mile (0.54 km) in length.[2] Original owner Bob Bonser later recounted that he initially bought the land the track is located on in order to have a site along New Hampshire Route 125 to place advertising for a nudist camp that he owned and operated.[3] Bonser paved the track the following year, and it became home to the New England Super Modified Racing Association (NESMRA).[2][b]

In late 1983, the facility was purchased by Kenny Smith, Russ Conway, and Charlie Elliot, who had previously owned and operated Star Speedway in nearby Epping, New Hampshire.[4] Renamed as Lee Speedway, the track was changed to be an oval, 3⁄8 mile (0.60 km) in length, and reopened in the fall of 1984.[5][c] The first event held at the reconfigured track reportedly drew 236 entrants.[6] A section of the original tri-oval is still used as a pre-race staging area.[2]

The facility was sold to Red and Judy MacDonald in December 1986.[2] Their son, Eddie MacDonald, became a professional race car driver.[7] Branding of the track as Lee USA Speedway dates to at least 1996.[8] The MacDonalds operated the track until February 2018, when it was sold to Norman Wrenn Jr. of Nashua, New Hampshire.[2] Wrenn bought Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, New Hampshire, the same year.[9]

Events

The track has hosted various racing events, including for NASCAR.[2] Notable drivers who have competed at Lee include John Andretti, Gary Bettenhausen, Brett Bodine, Todd Bodine, Dale Earnhardt, Terry Labonte, Ollie Silva, and Bentley Warren.[2] Snowmobile racing,[10] demolition derby,[11] and motorcycle races have also been held.[12]

On August 20, 1973, a driver from nearby Madbury was killed in a racing accident at the track.[13] On October 27, 1985, a driver from nearby Epping was killed in a racing accident at the track.[14]

The track is a member of the New Hampshire Short Track Racing Association (NHSTRA).[15] Entering the 2022 season, modified stock car racing is planned, including a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event.[15]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Lee USA Speedway should not be confused with Lee County Speedway, which is located in Donnellson, Iowa.[1]
  2. ^ That the raceway closed in 1979 and remained dormant during 1980–1981, as recounted in on the track's website, is not supported by contemporary newspaper reports.
  3. ^ That the track reopened on July 4, 1984, as recounted on the track's website, is not supported by contemporary newspaper reports.

References

  1. ^ "Lee County Speedway". leecountyspeedway.com. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "About". leeusaspeedway.com. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  3. ^ Lessels, Alan (August 21, 1988). "Stock car racing shifts into higher gear". The Boston Globe. p. NH 18. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Cadigan, Barry (December 19, 1983). "Auto Racing (column)". The Boston Globe. p. 101. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Cadigan, Barry (September 30, 1984). "Auto Racing (column)". The Boston Globe. p. 101. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Cadigan, Barry (November 4, 1984). "Auto Racing (column)". The Boston Globe. p. 76. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ St. Louis, Justin (April 13, 2014). "VT Speed: Finally, MacDonald wins at home". The Burlington Free Press. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  8. ^ "Auto racing series leaders, schedule". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. June 28, 1996. p. C5. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Cloutier, Michelle (18 December 2018). "Monadnock Speedway Has A New Owner For 2019 Season". Race Pro Weekly. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  10. ^ "Racing Slated At Lee Track". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. November 4, 1969. p. 9. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Demolition Derby". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. October 14, 1966. p. 5. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Motocucle Race Slated Sunday At Lee Raceway". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. May 26, 1972. p. 20. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Harton Killed". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. August 20, 1973. p. 12. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Race driver killed in Lee crash". The Boston Globe. October 28, 1985. p. 34. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b "Your Nascar Hometrack". leeusaspeedway.com. Retrieved February 27, 2022.


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