On Sunday, Aug. 23, Steve Park, a winner in all three of NASCAR’s top series and one of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s (NWMT) 40 Greatest Drivers, will get behind the wheel of the official Toyota Camry XSE pace car as he leads 36 of NASCAR’s best to the green flag for the Dollar Tree 301 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS).

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be given the opportunity to be the Honorary Pace Car Driver at what I have always considered one of my home tracks in New England,” said Park, an East Northport, N.Y. native. “New Hampshire Motor Speedway has given so many racers the opportunity to showcase talent from the New England area to many in the NASCAR world, and let drivers like myself live their dream to make a career in NASCAR.”

In addition to serving as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for Sunday’s Dollar Tree 301, Park will participate in a variety of appearances throughout New England’s only NCS weekend:

  • Saturday, Aug. 22
    • 12-1 p.m. – Autograph session with a No. 8 Sunoco modified on display
    • 6-7 p.m. – Guest on “The Magic Mile” Happy Hour Show with Dick Berggren, hosted by NASCAR personality Jose Castillo and New Englanders Mamba Smith and Alan Cavanna at The Groove
  • Sunday, Aug. 23
    • 11:45 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Guest on Trackside Live with Mark Martin, hosted by Kenny Wallace and John Roberts on the Cracker Barrel Stage

“We’re so proud to have Steve Park, a four-time modified winner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, lead the Cup Series field to green,” said New Hampshire Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager David McGrath. “It’s great to have one of the local guys who built an illustrious career by working all the way up to the Cup Series from the modifieds return to ‘The Magic Mile’ in this special role.”

Throughout his career, Park achieved six wins across NASCAR’s top three series and 16 wins in the NWMT, four of which came at NHMS. In August 2025, he was named one of the NWMT’s 40 Greatest Drivers.

From 1997 to 2011, Park made 183 NCS starts, earned two wins, 12 top-fives, 35 top-10s and four poles and led 1,017 laps. From 1990 to 2006, he made 56 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, earned three wins, 15 top-fives, 29 top-10s and one pole and led 542 laps. From 1996 to 2010, he made 65 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) starts, earned one win, eight top-fives, 16 top-10s and one pole and led 131 laps. From 1986 to 2013, he made 187 NWMT starts, earned 16 wins, 56 top-fives, 86 top-10s and 23 poles and led 2,675 laps.

New England’s only NCS weekend is Aug. 21-23 at NHMS. On-track action kicks off Friday with practice and qualifying for the NWMT and 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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