On Thursday, as the state absorbed the news that Loudon would lose one of its two NASCAR races, New Hampshire Motor Speedway general manager Dave McGrath was optimistic the venue would be able to rebound.
There could be a major obstacle, though: Some events, like music festivals, may not be legally allowed at the racetrack.
Select board meeting minutes from December show that McGrath submitted a letter of intent to host a “Live Nation Country Music Festival” either July 28 to 30 or Aug. 4 to 6 in the S6 parking lot.
When Loudon select board Chairman Bob Krieger asked about the 1989 settlement agreement between the race track, the Loudon planning board and several individuals, however, one sentence stood out: “New Hampshire Speedway (agrees) that it shall not permit any musical concerts of any type or description to be held on the premises currently known as New Hampshire International Speedway (‘premises’) except in conjunction with racing events.”
McGrath argued that the word “currently’ meant that the agreement referred to the physical speedway itself, but not the land parcels added after 1989, including the S6 parking lot.
Planning board Vice Chairman Stanley Prescott said that the word “currently” would need to be removed from the agreement, in court, before the board would allow the event to go forward.
No case is currently open between Loudon and NHMS in the New Hampshire court system.
In the meantime, Loudon officials are continuing to mull the issue with their town attorney. NHMS is scheduled to be discussed at a planning board meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Krieger, who is serving his last few days as the chairman of the Loudon select board before town meeting next week, said it comes down to analyzing the language and not wanting to accidentally violate the 1989 settlement.
“We just want to make sure that we as selectmen are doing the right thing,” he said. “That was written by a judge, and I don’t want to get in trouble with a judge, to tell you the truth.”
Whether the music festival is brought to fruition or not, Krieger said he’s rooting for the speedway to be successful.
“I’m really hoping that the track can fill the void, because a business that’s not making money is not good for the town or for that industry,” he said. “I’m hoping the town can rally behind NHMS so they can bring different venues in. They’ve always worked very well with us.”
Krieger said he has faith in McGrath, who has been “doing an awesome job” up to this point. Select board meeting minutes from Feb. 14 show that NHMS submitted 10 letters of intent for 2017 – these events include the Tough Mudder, the Loudon Classic, the annual vintage race, the Gift of Lights, a half-marathon, a “Bubble Run,” and the music festival.
“Even with losing a race, I have no doubt (McGrath) is going to find a way to fill that weekend with something,” Krieger said. If the general manager needs help with ideas, he might take a trip to the Loudon transfer station this weekend.
“It’ll be a hot item at the dump for sure,” Krieger said.
Regional and state leaders are looking to help fill the gap, too, given the revenue Sprint Cup races usually bring to the region. A 2011 Southern New Hampshire University study found $179 million in spending and $103 million in income is generated (this includes 2,500 jobs) from the races.
“The chamber is very supportive – the track is a major asset to this region,” Tim Sink, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce president, said. “It is the largest sporting venue in New England.”
He added, “Visitor spending is visitor spending – we sort of look at New Hampshire Motor Speedway as fitting into the entire package of why someone would want to come and spend time in our area.”
Gov. Chris Sununu is thinking along the same lines. A spokesman said Friday that the governor “looks forward to partnering with New Hampshire Motor Speedway in support of new opportunities to take full advantage of one of our state’s most premier event venues.”
(Elodie Reed can be reached at 369-3306, ereed@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @elodie_reed. Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.)
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that the 1989 agreement was not arranged between just NHMS and Loudon, but was a settlement from a suit brought by several individuals against the speedway and the Loudon planning board.