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New Hampshire Motor Speedway • The Magic Mile • Loudon, New Hampshire

Loudon is the kind of race weekend that rewards the fan who shows up with a plan.

NHMS is flatter, tighter, and more old-school than a lot of first-timers expect. That is part of the charm. If you understand the traffic flow, know where you want to park or camp, and pack for New England weather instead of just race weather, the whole weekend gets easier.

What the track website will not tell you: Loudon is more fun when you treat traffic, camping, and cooling off after the race as part of the strategy.

Last reviewed: March 2026Region: New EnglandFeaturedFirst-timerCamping

More track guides Back to Fantasy Official seating chart

Overview Why this track Arrival Getting there Parking Camping Food and drink Seat guide Weekend flow Packing Gotchas Resources and FAQ Partner fit

Track overview

Fast facts first, because this page should answer the stuff people are actually checking in the parking lot.

New England's lone Cup stop is one of the easiest tracks to love if you like real racing, bring-your-own beer, and a weekend that feels more practical than flashy.

Full name

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Nickname

The Magic Mile

Address

1122 Route 106 North, Loudon, NH 03307

Track length

1.058-mile oval

Banking

Progressive 2°-7° in the turns, 1° on the straights

Capacity

About 44,000

Nearest city

Concord, about 14 miles southwest

Nearest airports

Manchester-Boston 30 miles, Logan about 80 miles

Cup race

New England's only NASCAR Cup race

2026 race date

Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 3 PM on USA Network

Weekend window

August 21-23, 2026

Phone

833-4LOUDON

Why this track works

This is where the guide stops being generic and starts making actual calls.

First-timer verdict

One of the best starter tracks in the country

Loudon is approachable, compact, and less chaotic than the biggest NASCAR weekends, but still has enough camping and race-week flavor to feel special.

Best family camping pick

Book S6 "The Cove" if you want the sweet spot

It has the best balance of track access, community feel, and actual rest. If you want a family-friendly home base, start there.

Best exit strategy

Treat the first 45 minutes after the race like dead time

Walk the midway, watch the scene, or hang at camp. Loudon gets dramatically easier when you stop trying to win the first traffic wave.

Best seat call

Turns 3 and 4, high enough to see the whole rhythm

That is the easiest first answer. Loudon rewards fans who can watch the braking zones and restart setups, not just the frontstretch.

Arrival strategy

Build more margin into the day than your optimistic brain wants to.

Give yourself enough time to get through Route 106 traffic, park, and still enjoy the midway before driver intros.

If you are day-tripping from Concord, Manchester, or Boston, race morning gets easier when you are on the road earlier than feels necessary.

For campers, opening day and the first big Friday rush both go smoother when your group already knows the campsite number, the arrival order, and who is carrying the tickets.

Getting there

The route plan matters because the last few miles are usually where race weekends get messy.

Coming from Boston, Manchester, or Concord

1Take I-93 North to Exit 15E and merge onto I-393 East.
2Take Exit 3 off I-393 and turn left onto Route 106 North.
3Stay on Route 106 for about 9 miles. NHMS will be on the right.
4On Sunday, most south-side traffic should use the South Entrance.

Coming from the Lakes Region or northern New Hampshire

1Take I-93 South to Exit 20 in Tilton.
2Use Route 140 through Belmont to connect with Route 106 South.
3The speedway is about 7 miles south on the left.
4Friday and Saturday traffic usually enters through the South Entrance. Sunday north-side arrivals often use the North Entrance.

Traffic gotcha

Route 106 is the whole game after the race.

NH DOT flips multiple ramp and route patterns after the Cup race to move tens of thousands of fans. I-393 and I-93 connections can close for hours, northbound traffic can be detoured, and your GPS may give you nonsense. If you can, hang out 30 to 45 minutes after the checkered flag and let the first wave clear.

Traffic gotcha

Rideshare works better as drop-off than miracle escape plan.

Uber and Lyft use the Main Office area, but pickups still get tangled in race-day traffic. If you are relying on rideshare, build patience into the plan and use Route 106 landmarks when talking to your driver.

From the south, the standard play is I-93 North to Exit 15E, then I-393 East to Exit 3, then Route 106 North for the final 9 miles.

From the north, most fans come down I-93 to Exit 20 in Tilton, then use Route 140 through Belmont to Route 106 South.

On race weekend, trust the traffic plan over your app once you get close. GPS can lag behind the actual road closures and police direction.

Parking guide

Parking works better when you pick the tradeoff you actually care about: price, walk, or exit strategy.

General parking

Free

Free lots on both sides of the property. They are first-come, first-served and connected by shuttles and trams.

Premium parking

Paid

Closer to the Main Office and the grandstands. Best for fans prioritizing shorter walks over budget.

Village Green Tailgate

Tailgate

Paid tailgate option off the Main Entrance for fans building the day around hanging out before the race.

Overlook Tailgate Hill

Scenic

Paid option with elevated views and a little more personality than a standard asphalt lot.

N14

Secret weapon

One of the smartest exit lots because it gives you flexibility north or south on Route 106 after the race.

General parking being free is a genuine Loudon perk. It is one of the few major Cup weekends where you are not getting nickel-and-dimed just to leave your car.

N14 is the strategic move if your main goal is flexibility on the way out.

If you have mobility needs, check the handicap lot requirements ahead of time. NHMS does verify placards and plates.

Camping guide

Camping works best when you know exactly what kind of weekend you are trying to have.

Read this before booking

You need at least two Sunday race tickets to buy a camping spot.

Most lots do not have hookups, so bring a self-contained RV or camper with its own bathroom and water plan.

Gray water dumping is strictly prohibited and heavily enforced.

Generators are allowed but must stay below 75 decibels.

Only local New Hampshire firewood is allowed because of the state quarantine on untreated out-of-state wood.

Most camping lots are reserved in advance. S7 is the exception for tent camping.

Lot

Vibe

Hookups

Quiet hours

Notes

S6 "The Cove"

RV / Camper

Family-friendly

11 PM - 7 AM

The most balanced lot on property. Popular, comfortable, and usually the first family favorite to go.

N1 "X Lot"

RV / Camper

Party

Midnight

Later, louder, and more social. Good if you want energy instead of quiet.

RV / Camper

Scenic and relaxed

11 PM - 7 AM

Elevated views and a calmer atmosphere. Also one of the easiest lots to lose if you wait too long.

Tent only

Budget and first-timer friendly

11 PM - 7 AM

The only tent camping option on Cup week. First-come, first-served and no overnight staging the night before.

Infield

Premium RV

VIP

Electric, water, sewer

11 PM - 7 AM

The expensive all-in experience with armbands, track access, and serious proximity to the action.

RV / Camper

Backstretch overlook

11 PM - 7 AM

Often waitlisted because of the elevated view over the backstretch.

THOR Industries provides free mobile RV repair support in Speedway-owned campgrounds.

Suburban Propane offers on-site refills and delivery during the weekend.

Security line: 603-783-9245.

Loudon camping is great if you build for self-sufficiency: water, bathroom, power, shade, and a clean camp flow all matter more than squeezing in extra toys.

The Cove in S6 is the sweet spot for families and groups who want community without all-night chaos.

If you want the loudest party scene, choose that on purpose. NHMS has quieter and rowdier pockets, and they do not feel the same.

Food and drink

This is the part of the trip where a little planning can save real money and frustration.

Allowed

Alcohol is allowed in the grandstands.
Bring it in cans or plastic bottles only.
Use a soft-sided cooler no bigger than 14" x 14" x 14".
Clear bags help you get through security faster.

Do not test this

Glass containers anywhere on property.
Alcohol in pit road or garage areas.
Trying to push your luck if you are visibly intoxicated at entry.

New Hampshire's tax-free liquor stores are a real race-weekend advantage. If you are driving in from out of state, the Concord store on Loudon Road is the easiest stock-up stop before you hit the track.

Inside the track

Track food is the standard burgers, dogs, fried stuff, BBQ, and rotating vendors in the S1 area.

NHMS is cashless inside the gates, so do not rely on cash for concessions.

The smartest money move is still bringing your own cooler with snacks, water, and canned drinks.

Nearby food and drink

T-BONES

15 min south

Reliable casual dinner in Concord and a strong Friday-night pick before the crowds get weird.

Canterbury AleWorks

15 min

Good local brewery stop if you want a New Hampshire detour.

Tilt'n Diner

20 min north

Big breakfast, easy race-morning energy, and very on-brand for the weekend.

Town Dock

30 min north

Lake dinner in Meredith if you are turning the trip into a Friday escape.

The Common Man

20-30 min

Classic New Hampshire comfort-food move with multiple viable locations.

Best seats

The best seat is usually the one that matches how you want to watch, not just what is closest.

View official seating chart View official facility maps

Official seating chart

Visual first. Open the PDF only if you need the full file.

Open PDF Download

Open official seating chart PDF

Best all-around seats: Turns 3 and 4, as high as you can afford

This is the best first-timer answer. You get the entry to Turn 3, the rhythm through the corner, and a better overall read on the track without constantly turning your head.

Best for pit road people: Concord Grandstand on the frontstretch

You will see pit road and start-finish moments better than the rest of the circuit. Great if you care about pre-race, strategy stops, and Victory Lane.

What to avoid: low rows

Low seats are not the move here. The walls steal more of your sightline than most people expect, so height beats proximity at Loudon.

Sit higher than you think. Low rows lose a lot to the walls, and Loudon is better when you can actually watch the rhythm of the whole track.

Bring ear protection even if this is not your first sporting event. A Cup field at Loudon still surprises people.

Pack a light layer. August in New Hampshire can still swing hard from hot afternoon sun to cool wind later.

The race itself is usually better than outsiders expect because the flat corners force braking, mistakes, and real restarts.

Weekend flow

The best weekends happen when you plan around the property, not just the green flag.

Thursday and Friday

Campgrounds open up, practice sessions start, Fan Zone wakes up, and live music usually gets rolling.

Friday

Qualifying, practice, evening entertainment, and Flat Track racing behind the New England Racing Museum.

Saturday

Truck Series, Whelen Modified Tour, family activities, and the busiest non-Cup day on property.

Sunday

Cup race day, pre-race access for pass holders, intros, and Victory Lane after the finish.

Interactive simulators and team merch haulers.

Driver appearances and autograph sessions if you watch the schedule closely.

Flat Track racing on property is one of the coolest side experiences most first-timers never hear about.

The New England Racing Museum is on site and absolutely worth a stop before the crowds peak.

Camper appreciation events, live music, and family activities round out the weekend.

Cup tickets use flex pricing, so verify current numbers on NHMS.com.

Kids 12 and under are usually a great value, especially on support-race days.

Tickets are digital only. Download them before you leave home.

Track Pass is worth it for first-timers who want to get on the frontstretch before the race.

Ultimate Fan Pass is the serious version if garage access and pit road are part of why you came.

Lake Winnipesaukee

20-30 min north

The best nearby add-on if you want the race weekend to feel like a summer trip, not just a Sunday event.

Canterbury Shaker Village

20 min

A calm history stop if your group wants something different on Saturday morning.

New England Racing Museum

On property

The easiest and smartest pre-race side quest for actual race fans.

Gunstock Mountain trails

30 min north

A solid summer hiking option if you are building a longer weekend in the Lakes Region.

Boston

75 min south

A natural fly-in extension for out-of-town fans who want city time before heading up.

Packing lists

This should be the section people screenshot before they leave the driveway.

Day trip

Must-have

[ ]Digital tickets downloaded before you leave Wi-Fi
[ ]Valid ID
[ ]Ear protection
[ ]Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
[ ]Soft-sided cooler with drinks and snacks
[ ]Portable battery pack
[ ]Comfortable walking shoes
[ ]Light jacket or layer

Nice to have

[ ]Scanner or race radio headset
[ ]Clear bag for faster entry
[ ]Binoculars
[ ]NHMS app downloaded ahead of time
[ ]Poncho if the forecast looks messy

Camping

Camping essentials

[ ]Camping pass plus Sunday race tickets
[ ]Self-contained RV or camper, or full tent setup for S7
[ ]Fresh water and empty holding tanks before arrival
[ ]Generator rated below 75 dB
[ ]Chairs, canopy, table, and campsite lighting
[ ]Bug spray and first-aid basics
[ ]Trash bags and paper towels
[ ]Local New Hampshire firewood only

Comfort and camp life

[ ]Bluetooth speaker
[ ]Lawn games
[ ]Extra blankets for cool nights
[ ]More clothes than you think you need
[ ]Cards or camp games
[ ]Radio plan for keeping up with track activity back at camp

Downloaded digital tickets

ID and payment card

Ear protection

Soft-sided cooler

Portable phone charger

Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen

Comfortable shoes

Light jacket or extra layer

Things nobody tells you

This is the section that saves people from their own bad assumptions.

Digital tickets are not optional.

If your phone dies and you did not save the tickets ahead of time, you are creating your own bad day.

Route 106 backs up hard.

The easiest fix is patience. Stay late, walk the midway, and stop trying to beat 40,000 people to the same ramp.

No out-of-state firewood.

This is a real state rule, not a suggestion. Buy local firewood when you get here.

Glass gets you in trouble fast.

Keep everything canned or plastic and do not test the policy.

The race is an afternoon race because NHMS has no lights.

That means your full day is front-loaded. Plan your travel and heat strategy around a daytime event.

Lodging in the region gets tight.

Concord, Tilton, Laconia, and Manchester all get squeezed on NASCAR weekend. Book early or pay for the mistake later.

Concord is the easiest hotel cluster if you want the most straightforward commute.

Laconia and the Lakes Region make the whole weekend more scenic, but you trade off with heavier regional demand.

Manchester is a good fly-in base if you want a wider hotel pool and airport convenience.

Resources and FAQ

The last-minute section for when someone in your group starts texting real questions.

NHMS official site

Use this to verify the latest tickets, schedules, and policies.

NHMS camping

Current lot details, camping passes, and official rules.

NHMS directions

Official traffic and entrance guidance.

Official Sunday seating chart

Direct official PDF from NHMS for the Cup race seating layout.

Official facility maps

Property maps, parking references, and other official fan maps.

NH 511

Best live source for race-week traffic control and road alerts.

NH Liquor store locator

Worth using before you head up Route 106.

Is Loudon a good first NASCAR trip?

Yes. It is compact enough to understand, the racing is better than its reputation with casual fans, and it has fewer giant-venue headaches than the biggest destination tracks.

Should I camp or day-trip it?

If you are local to New England, day-tripping is realistic. If you want the full experience or hate early-morning stress, camping is worth it.

What surprises people most at NHMS?

Usually the traffic plan, how important high seats are, and how much fun bring-your-own cooler rules make the day.

Partner fit

This is where Fan Zone becomes sponsor-ready without becoming noisy.

Future sponsor fit

Local campground or hotel partner

This slot is a natural fit for a Concord hotel cluster, Lakes Region rental partner, or a featured campground recommendation.

Future sponsor fit

Gear and scanner partner

A headset, scanner, cooler, or hearing-protection partner would fit naturally inside Loudon's packing and first-timer sections.

Pit Road Intel is independent fan-made guidance and is not affiliated with New Hampshire Motor Speedway or Speedway Motorsports. Rules, prices, and schedules change, so verify the latest details with NHMS before you go.