(Press Release from New Hampshire Motor Speedway)
From mobile ticketing and cashless payments for souvenirs and concessions to updated cooler policies and socially distanced seating, “The Magic Mile” will roll out several new procedures to safely welcome fans to New England’s first fan-attended live sporting event since the onset of the pandemic.
LOUDON, N.H. – As New England’s first live major league sports event with spectators since the onset of the pandemic, Sunday’s Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will mark the most anticipated event of the 30th anniversary season at “The Magic Mile.” Speedway officials and staff have been hard at work refining procedures and protocols to ensure the best fan experience at the NASCAR Cup Series race while meeting and exceeding recommended health and safety guidelines set forth by local, state and federal officials.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to provide sports fans, families and friends a memory making experience. It’s the chance for people to enjoy the type of entertainment they haven’t enjoyed in months,” said David McGrath, New Hampshire Motor Speedway executive vice president and general manager. “Hosting the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 is also a responsibility we take very seriously. It’s our job to not only host a marquee NASCAR Cup Series race, but also to provide a safe and fun environment.”
Fans may notice a few changes to the usual procedures on race day, but should be assured that these common-sense measures have been put in place for the health and safety of the fans, drivers, teams, staff and greater community.
Among other new practices, fans can expect to see the following:
Ticketing
- All ticketing, from purchase to scanning, will be conducted digitally to eliminate contact points
- Seating is assigned at the time of purchase to ensure adequate social distancing
- No will-call or in-person ticket pickup will be available (all ticketing will be conducted digitally)
- Guest Services personnel will be available to help answer questions and provide guidance
Transportation
- Golf cart shuttles will be reserved for guests with limited mobility
- Free parking will be available in the S1, S2, S3 and S9 lots on race day
Face Coverings
- Guests are required to put on masks or other appropriate face coverings, which cover the nose and mouth, once they enter the property
- Face coverings, which cover the nose and mouth, are required in common areas such as gate entries, restrooms, concessions, souvenir stands, elevators, concourses and suite-level hallways
- Masks may be removed once guests are socially distanced in their assigned grandstand seats
Wellness
- If a guest purchases a ticket and then becomes ill, a refund will be issued
- All fans, NHMS personnel and NASCAR team members will be temperature screened on event day. NHMS and NASCAR team personnel will wear masks at all times and gloves, as needed
- Whether on grounds or off, NHMS encourages all residents and guests to observe the practices of social distancing, frequent hand washing, wearing a face covering in all public spaces and using hand sanitizer
Social Distancing
- Guests are asked to socially distance at all times while on grounds (floor markings at concourse, concession and souvenir stands and directional traffic flow signage will be provided)
- NHMS’s Ticket Office will stagger seating throughout the stands to provide for a minimum of six feet of distance between groups
- Suites will operate at a reduced capacity, in line with guidance from health officials
Cleanliness
- Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the grounds
- Prior to gates opening and throughout the event, NHMS will follow enhanced cleaning procedures, especially in high-touch surface areas such as handrails and bathrooms
Concessions and Souvenirs
- All purchases from food and souvenir stands will be electronic transactions (debit and credit cards only, no cash or checks)
- Only clear, soft-sided bags 14”x14”x14” and smaller will be allowed in
- No coolers or glass containers permitted
Tickets/Parking:
Tickets still remain for Sunday’s Foxwoods Resort Casino 301. Adult tickets are available starting at $70 at https://www.nhms.com/events/foxwoods-resort-casino-301/tickets/. Tickets for kids 12 and under are just $10. Free parking will be available in the S1, S2, S3 and S9 lots on Aug. 2. There will be no trams, camping or open bath houses for this event. Further details can be found on the New Hampshire Motor Speedway website.
I wish someone would explain the rationale to not allowing the use of coolers due to COVID. I’m more than happy to open and go through my cooler in front of security so they can see inside it as long as they have a mask on. That’s usually the way it normally worked at all the tracks before anyway. What’s the big deal?
Fast Eddie,
I think it has to do without avoiding as much as possible having lines and people congregating because they have to wait in those lines. One less instance of that happening.
I didn’t think of that! Thanks Shawn, that definitely makes sense. However, I’d still rather reach into my cooler for my $0.75 soda or $0.20 bottle of water instead a waiting in line at the concession stand for a $4.00 one!! AND missing some of the racing in the process!! 🙂
So you don’t stand in line at the gate for cooler inspections. You can stand in ten different lines for drinks and food throughout the day. Doesn’t make much sense to me. That’s why we have decided not to use our tickets and stay home.
The only thing I saw wrong is that asymptomatic people do not have a higher temperature.
Fast Eddie, how do you think the track is going to make up 💰 for the lower attendance and lower sales at the concessions? Don’t allow people to bring in their beverages, make a fortune at the concessions.
Given how many people usually bring their own beer, they better have many concession stands open or the lines will be very long at the few that are open.
I always get a laugh at the red wagons locked to the fencing on the way in, red wagons used to haul the beer from the parking lots to the gates. The stands are usually clogged with coolers.
I’m glad they are doing this.
FOR those who have NOT BEEN TO STAFFORD u cant bring in coolers or bags just 1 GALLON CLEAR PLASTIC BAGS AND NOOOO RE ENTRY once u walk in the gate No trips back to the car
What are they limiting attendance for this race? Is it set at the same percentage like the NH short tracks. Good point on the lines for checking coolers. Another valid point that now no one can bring in their own food and drink they will be waiting in lines all day at the concession stands. You really cant win with this one. Lets pray everyone is on their best behavior and there isnt any bad publicity coming out of this event. Right now, NH is about the most favorable state in our area for racing.
Dareal, another part I didn’t think about and what may be the biggest reason. I know it’s all due to the virus, but going to different tracks for races is so drastically different from state to state, and even track to track, is like going for the first time every time. I check online before each race to see if there were any new changes to the spectator rules to make sure I ‘m correctly prepared.
CSG, I hope you’re right about Loudon! I’m sure that race will be getting very close scrutiny from many directions.
csg, yes they are limiting attendance. It’s set to 35% capacity, which I think ends up being about 18,000 fans.
I read somewhere that those from out of the northeast region traveling to NHMS are not allowed to go to restaurants, etc. They effectively have to go to the track, sequester at the track, then get out of there.
Seating also takes into consideration social distancing.
Cup teams are from states with very bad TrumpPandemic case rates. They can only make things worse in New Hampshire.
Darealgoodfella,
Yes, there is a stipulation that anyone going to Sunday’s event in any type of official industry capacity must agree to that. Officially the stipulation states: “Industry members traveling to New Hampshire are prohibited from patronizing any restaurants (take-out / to-go / delivery orders only) or bars in the area and must limit their travel to New Hampshire Motor Speedway and their hotel only.”
Really wmass? We brought in 3 soft side coolers 2 weeks ago.
2020, you must know somebody or got very lucky bypassing security. I tried to bring my soft sided cooler on Stafford’s opening night and was forced to bring it back to the car and squeeze a few drinks into a couple of freezer bags (brought them just in case) to get in. Needless to say they weren’t cold for very long.
Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
NEWFLASH: Foxwoods employee tests positive for COVID-19.
And that has what to do with the race? Who said the employee contracted it at Foxwoods?