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Star Speedway

Coordinates: 43°01′45″N 71°02′27″W / 43.02917°N 71.04083°W / 43.02917; -71.04083
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Star Speedway is located in Epping, New Hampshire. It hosts a tour-type modified division under the management of the Webber family. The track was closed for most of the 2010 season due to issues between track manager and promoter Robert MacArthur and the town of Epping.[1]

History

The track has a long-history of legendary drivers, highlighted by Dynamite Ollie Silva, a super-modified and modified standout who won features races from Canada to Florida with less than top equipment. In the 1970s Star hosted the Supermodifieds and Modifieds (called late models) weekly, and Ollie's weekly battles with "Big Daddy" Don McLaren, Eddie West, Jim Cheney, Dick Batchelder, and Paul Richardson provided fans with great thrills and memories. In the 1970s the track hosted what was then thought to be the heaviest wedding cake in history, tipping the scales at over 700 lbs. Local journalist Russ Conway was a partial owner and operator of the track from 1965 to 1989.[2]

Star Speedway hosted one NASCAR North Tour race in 1985.

The track hosted 20 NASCAR Busch North Series events between 1987 and 2001 and four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events between 1985 and 1990.

The facility had two ACT Late Model Tour races, one in 2013 and the other in 2019.

Boston Bruins race

Star hosted celebrity races in the 1970s featuring Boston Bruins players. Often Don Awrey (after being traded) would invade Star and beat the local Bruins.

Star Classic

The track has hosts the Star Classic every fall, featuring the ISMA Super Modifieds. Stars such as Chris Perley (the 2005 winner), Russ Wood, Mike Ordway and Indy veteran Bentley Warren have participated in the 200-lap race.

Today

The track struggled in the early years of the 21st century, often failing town inspection. It was closed for most of the 2010 season, but was permitted by the town of Epping to be open for three days at the end of October, subject to the completion of required repairs to the facility. In 2008, Bobby MacArthur took over the management, renamed the speedway "All-STAR", and promoted a very aggressive and diverse program including Supermodifieds, Modifieds and Late Models. Unfortunately, the promotion did not draw enough fans to be successful, leaving the track and promoter seriously in the red.

Owner Bob Webber has been operating the track since the departure of MacArthur and has made many improvements. Star Speedway currently hosts many popular touring series including PASS, ISMA, Granite State Pro Stock, Tri-Track modified and Northeast Classic Lites to name some. Star Speedway "sold out" an event in 2015, something never seen before in the modern era.[clarification needed]

References

  1. ^ Kathleen D. Bailey (October 15, 2010). "Speedway is open again". Seacoastonline.com. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  2. ^ "Hockey, Racing Hall of Famer Russ Conway Salutes Ken Smith". WHAV. 2017-05-17. Retrieved 2018-11-03.

43°01′45″N 71°02′27″W / 43.02917°N 71.04083°W / 43.02917; -71.04083

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