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Lee USA Speedway is a short-track oval race track located in Lee, New Hampshire.[lower-alpha 1]

Lee USA Speedway
Location380 Calef Highway
Lee, New Hampshire
Time zoneEastern: UTC−5 / −4 (DST)
Coordinates43.116026°N 71.039973°W / 43.116026; -71.039973
Opened1964 (58 years ago)
Former namesLee Raceway (1964–1983)
Lee Speedway (1984–c.1995)
Oval (since 1984)
Surfaceasphalt
Length3/8 miles (0.6 km)
Banking12 degree corners
  8 degree straights
Websiteleeusaspeedway.com

History


The facility opened as Lee Raceway in 1964 as a dirt tri-oval, 1⁄3 mile (0.54 km) in length.[2] Original owner Bob Bonser later recounted that he initially bought the land the track is located on in order to have a site along New Hampshire Route 125 to place advertising for a nudist camp that he owned and operated.[3] Bonser paved the track the following year, and it became home to the New England Super Modified Racing Association (NESMRA).[2][lower-alpha 2]

In late 1983, the facility was purchased by Kenny Smith, Russ Conway, and Charlie Elliot, who had previously owned and operated Star Speedway in nearby Epping, New Hampshire.[4] Renamed as Lee Speedway, the track was changed to be an oval, 3⁄8 mile (0.60 km) in length, and reopened in the fall of 1984.[5][lower-alpha 3] The first event held at the reconfigured track reportedly drew 236 entrants.[6] A section of the original tri-oval is still used as a pre-race staging area.[2]

The facility was sold to Red and Judy MacDonald in December 1986.[2] Their son, Eddie MacDonald, became a professional race car driver.[7] Branding of the track as Lee USA Speedway dates to at least 1996.[8] The MacDonalds operated the track until February 2018, when it was sold to Norman Wrenn Jr. of Nashua, New Hampshire.[2] Wrenn bought Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, New Hampshire, the same year.[9]


Events


The track has hosted various racing events, including for NASCAR.[2] Notable drivers who have competed at Lee include John Andretti, Gary Bettenhausen, Brett Bodine, Todd Bodine, Dale Earnhardt, Terry Labonte, Ollie Silva, and Bentley Warren.[2] Snowmobile racing,[10] demolition derby,[11] and motorcycle races have also been held.[12]

On August 20, 1973, a driver from nearby Madbury was killed in a racing accident at the track.[13] On October 27, 1985, a driver from nearby Epping was killed in a racing accident at the track.[14]

The track is a member of the New Hampshire Short Track Racing Association (NHSTRA).[15] Entering the 2022 season, modified stock car racing is planned, including a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event.[15]


See also



Notes


  1. Lee USA Speedway should not be confused with Lee County Speedway, which is located in Donnellson, Iowa.[1]
  2. That the raceway closed in 1979 and remained dormant during 1980–1981, as recounted in on the track's website, is not supported by contemporary newspaper reports.
  3. That the track reopened on July 4, 1984, as recounted on the track's website, is not supported by contemporary newspaper reports.

References


  1. "Lee County Speedway". leecountyspeedway.com. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  2. "About". leeusaspeedway.com. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  3. Lessels, Alan (August 21, 1988). "Stock car racing shifts into higher gear". The Boston Globe. p. NH 18. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  4. Cadigan, Barry (December 19, 1983). "Auto Racing (column)". The Boston Globe. p. 101. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  5. Cadigan, Barry (September 30, 1984). "Auto Racing (column)". The Boston Globe. p. 101. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  6. Cadigan, Barry (November 4, 1984). "Auto Racing (column)". The Boston Globe. p. 76. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  7. St. Louis, Justin (April 13, 2014). "VT Speed: Finally, MacDonald wins at home". The Burlington Free Press. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  8. "Auto racing series leaders, schedule". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. June 28, 1996. p. C5. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  9. Cloutier, Michelle (18 December 2018). "Monadnock Speedway Has A New Owner For 2019 Season". Race Pro Weekly. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  10. "Racing Slated At Lee Track". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. November 4, 1969. p. 9. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  11. "Demolition Derby". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. October 14, 1966. p. 5. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  12. "Motocucle Race Slated Sunday At Lee Raceway". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. May 26, 1972. p. 20. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  13. "Harton Killed". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. August 20, 1973. p. 12. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  14. "Race driver killed in Lee crash". The Boston Globe. October 28, 1985. p. 34. Retrieved February 27, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  15. "Your Nascar Hometrack". leeusaspeedway.com. Retrieved February 27, 2022.





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