LOUDON - President Bush's visit to New Hampshire International Speedway this weekend isn't likely to change the fans'experience. Law enforcement officials say some areas will see a beefed-up security presence, but in most areas, all will remain the same.

On Thursday, a half-dozen bomb dogs will begin scouring the concessions stands. Long before the races start, metal detectors will be erected to greet ticket-holders. Every guest, along with bags and coolers, will also be subject to search.

Law enforcement officials won't publicly discuss the details of the security measures, but they and the Bush-Cheney campaign office both say the president is coming for a visit. Speedway officials, however, still refuse to acknowledge what seems more than likely.

According to law enforcement officials, about all that will change this weekend is the number of officers - a few more, at about 125 - specifically near the tunnel entrance to the track.

Bush will fly in via helicopter and land in parking lot I, before being ushered into the track, law enforcement sources said. He is expected to announce "Start your engines!"from the media building, located inside Turn 3, they said. Then he departs for an "Ask President Bush" event in Derry, while his family plans to stay at NHIS for the race. After the event, he is supposed to stay at his compound in Kennebunkport, Maine.

The only thing that might deter the trip is Hurricane Ivan, the remnants of which could leave the state soaking on Sunday, possibly canceling the race.

Yesterday, New Hampshire officials said two areas at the track were of the most concern for security: the campground, where 30,000 people sleep in their RVs, which have not been searched, and the air.

Officials said there will be a three-mile no-fly zone in effect, but it would take only a few seconds for someone with less than the best of intentions to fly over the track.

This would be Bush's second NASCAR appearance this year. In February, he made a similar stop at the Daytona 500, in Daytona, Fla., where Air Force One flew over the track. He emerged in a black racing jacket, accompanied by his wife, and mingled with the drivers.

Kenny Kane, senior director of media and communications at Daytona International Speedway, said the track had heightened security but "nothing that really made it an inconvenience for the majority of the fans."

As is the plan in New Hampshire, Bush left the race in Florida for another engagement. "But the highlight of him being here is at our racetrack, you can see the airplanes land," Kane said. "All the fans got to see Air Force One leave and take off."

On Sept. 11, Bush was expected to make an appearance at Richmond International Raceway. At the last minute, however, he opted to send U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in his stead and announced he would head to NHIS this weekend.

According to JournalNow.com, key NASCAR figures are large contributors to Bush, his re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee. NASCAR President Mike Helton, car owners Teresa Earnhardt, Roger and Greg Penske and Felix Sabates, driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., ex-driver Darrell Waltrip and the wives of drivers Jeff Burton and Kenny Schrader are among them, the Web site says.

(Rebecca Tsaros Dickson can be reached at 224-5301, ext. 312, or by e-mail at rtsaros@cmonitor.com.)

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