 Logo used since 2020 | |
| Location | 176Exeter Road Epping, New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°01′45″N71°02′26″W / 43.029272°N 71.040665°W /43.029272; -71.040665 |
| Operator | Webber family (2011–present) |
| Opened | 1966 |
| Major events | Current: American Canadian Tour (1985, 2013, 2019, 2024–present) International Supermodified Association Star Classic Former: NASCAR Busch North Series (1987–2001) NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (1985–1987, 1990) |
| Website | www |
| Oval (1966–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 0.250 mi (0.402 km) |
| Banking | Semi-banked |
Star Speedway is ashort-track ovalrace track located inEpping, New Hampshire. It hosts a tour-typemodified stock car racing division under the management of the Webber family.
Star Speedway opened in 1966,[1] having been primarily built by Charlie Elliot, a contractor, restaurant owner, and car enthusiast from nearbyDover, New Hampshire.[2] The prior year, Elliot had gone into business with Kendall C. Smith and local journalistRuss Conway to build a race track on what had formerly been Star Brick Yard inEpping, New Hampshire.[3] Elliot, Smith, and Conway sold their interests in the track by late 1983, when they purchased Lee Raceway (later known asLee USA Speedway) in nearbyLee, New Hampshire.[4]
The track has a long history of notable drivers, highlighted byOllie Silva, amodified andsupermodified standout who won features races from Canada to Florida with less-than-top equipment.[5] In the 1970s, Star Speedway hosted modified and supermodified races weekly, and Silva's battles with "Big Daddy" Don McLaren, Eddie West, Jim Cheney, Dick Batchelder, and Paul Richardson provided fans with great thrills and memories.[citation needed] The speedway also held promotional races featuring someBoston Bruins players.[6] It even hosted what was then thought to be the heaviestwedding cake in history, tipping the scales at over 700 pounds (320 kg).[citation needed]
Star Speedway hosted oneNASCAR North Tour race in 1985.[7] The track hosted 20NASCAR Busch North Series[7] events between 1987 and 2001, and fourNASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events between 1985 and 1990.[7]
 | This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Star Speedway" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(February 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
The track struggled in the early years of the 21st century, often failing town inspection.
In 2008, Robert MacArthur took over the management, renamed the speedway "All-STAR", and promoted a very aggressive and diverse program including Supermodifieds, Modifieds and Late Models. Unfortunately, the promotion did not draw enough fans to be successful, leaving the track and promoter seriously in debt.
The track was closed for most of the 2010 season due to issues between track manager and promoter MacArthur and the town of Epping.[8] The track was permitted by the town of Epping to be open for three days at the end of October, subject to the completion of required repairs to the facility.
The facility had twoACT Late Model Tour races, one in 2013 and the other in 2019.[7]
The track hosts the Star Classic every fall, featuring theISMA Super Modifieds. Drivers such as Chris Perley (the 2005 winner), Russ Wood, Mike Ordway andIndianapolis 500 veteranBentley Warren have participated in the 200-lap race.
Owner Bob Webber has been operating the track since the departure of MacArthur and has made many improvements. Star Speedway currently[when?] hosts many popular touring series includingPASS,ISMA, Granite State Pro Stock, Tri-Track modified and Northeast Classic Lites to name some. Star Speedway "sold out" an event in 2015, something never seen before in the modern era.[clarification needed]