With New England’s only NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) weekend just seven weeks away, New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) teamed up with NASCAR Racing Experience to host media on Thursday for a taste of what’s to come. Media members from across New England took part in the ninth annual Media Racing Challenge, and it was Dan Walker of The Loose is Fast Podcast out of Weymouth, Mass. who took home the win – his first, but it was the third win for the outlet.

“I think this is four or five times – finally got it done today,” said Walker of earning his first Media Racing Challenge win. “It was fun. We had a great time. A little hot, but no one can control that, so we had a really good time thanks to the NASCAR Racing Experience. They always do such a good job. We just have a blast out here.”

The Media Racing Challenge winner was determined by the top speed achieved on the 1.058-mile oval racetrack. Walker was the fastest media member around “The Magic Mile,” reaching a top speed of 126.27 mph while Erik Barber from WMEX 101.1 FM/1510 AM out of Plymouth, Mass. (125.11 mph), Kevin Wiles Jr. from WCVB-TV/ABC 5 out of Needham, Mass. (125.03 mph), Claire Overton from WWLP-TV/22 News out of Springfield, Mass. (124.36 mph) and Mike Wankum, also from WCVB-TV/ABC 5, (123.81 mph) rounded out the top five.

Walker was honored with a traditional NHMS victory lane celebration, complete with a trophy, $100 gift card to Makris Lobster and Steak House, $100 gift card to Mohegan Sun and, of course, live lobsters, provided by Makris Lobster and Steak House. Though a bit smaller than the 20-pound Loudon the Lobster, who will be presented to the winner of the Dollar Tree 301 NCS race at NHMS on Aug. 23, the twin crustaceans weighed about eight pounds together and were proudly hoisted up into the air by Walker.

When asked what he’s going to do with his prize lobsters, Walker replied, “My plans are to give them to my co-host Kyle, because he likes lobster a lot more than I do, so he’s very excited that he gets to have some lobster tonight.”

Not only did the participants get a taste of what it’s like being a NASCAR driver, they also sampled three unique food items that were crafted by the chefs of NHMS’s catering partner Levy Restaurants:

  • Watermelon Cooler – A refreshing, nonalcoholic blended drink made from watermelon, often mixed with lime or lemon juice, mint and sometimes a sweetener like honey or simple syrup
  • Wicked Big Lobster Roll – An oversized New England seafood specialty typically featuring one to three pounds of fresh New England claw, knuckle and tail meat
  • Fruit Roll-Up Dill Pickle – A large, juicy dill pickle tightly wrapped in sweet, chewy fruit leather Fruit Roll-Up and often dipped in tangy Mexican condiments

Garnering 47.37% of the votes, the Watermelon Cooler won as the favorite of the three and will be available for race fans to purchase at an NHMS concession stand Aug. 21-23.

Top Speeds:

  • Dan Walker (The Loose is Fast Podcast | Weymouth, Mass.) – 126.27 mph
  • Erik Barber (WMEX 101.1 FM/1510 AM | Plymouth, Mass.) – 125.11 mph
  • Kevin Wiles Jr. (WCVB-TV/ABC 5 | Needham, Mass.) – 125.03 mph
  • Claire Overton (WWLP-TV/22 News | Springfield, Mass.) – 124.36 mph
  • Mike Wankum (WCVB-TV/ABC 5 | Needham, Mass.) – 123.81 mph
  • Matt Holderman (WFFF-TV/FOX 44 & WVNY-TV/ABC 22 | Colchester, Vt.) – 123.46 mph
  • Andy Austin (WWSF 104.3 FM & 1220 AM/Seacoast Oldies | Sanford, Maine) – 122.62 mph
  • Nelson Valencia (WMEX 101.1 FM/1510 AM | Plymouth, Mass.) – 121.48 mph
  • Nick Antonakas (WWLP-TV/22 News | Springfield, Mass.) – 121.06 mph
  • Alex Rapp (Concord Monitor | Concord, N.H.) – 120.95 mph
  • Morgan Prue (95.7 WZID-FM & Rewind 94.1/WZID-HD2 | Manchester, N.H.) – 120.50 mph
  • Ian Steele (WMUR-TV/ABC 9 | Manchester, N.H.) – 119.02 mph

Christian LaCoss from 96.5 Live Free Country/WMLL-FM out of Manchester, N.H. took part in a ride-along experience.

New England’s only NCS weekend is Aug. 21-23 at NHMS. On-track action kicks off Friday with practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) plus SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels at The Flat Track. The action continues on Doubleheader Saturday with the Team EJP 175 NCTS race and the Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race following NCS practice and qualifying. The on-track action culminates Sunday with the Dollar Tree 301 NCS race. Don’t miss all of the exciting off-track entertainment including the “The Magic Mile” Happy Hour Show, Trackside Live, The Groove fan hangout, concerts from Everybody Wants Some and Tim Dugger, Family Movie Night featuring “Zootopia 2,” driver appearances, fireworks and much more.

For a full NASCAR weekend schedule, visit NHMS.com/Events/NASCAR-Cup-Series/Schedule/.

Tickets:

For tickets and camping for New England’s only NCS weekend, featuring the Dollar Tree 301 NCS race, Team EJP 175 NCTS race, Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race and SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels, fans should visit NHMS.com or call 833-4LOUDON. Tickets for kids 12 and under are just $10 on Sunday, free on Doubleheader Saturday and start at $10 on Friday.

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