View source for Star Speedway

{{short description|Race track in the U.S. state of New Hampshire}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
| name             = Star Speedway
| nicknames        = 
| time             = [[UTC−05:00|UTC−5]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC−4]] [[Daylight saving time|DST]])
| location         = 176 [[New Hampshire Route 27|Exeter Road]]<br/>[[Epping, New Hampshire]]
| coordinates      = {{coord|43.029272|-71.040665|type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| logo             = Star-speedway-transparent-logo orig.png
| logo_caption     = Logo used since 2020
| image            = 
| image_caption    = 
| capacity         = 
| FIA_grade        = 
| owner            = 
| operator         = Webber family (2011–present)
| broke_ground     = 
| opened           = 1966 
| closed           = 
| construction_cost= 
| architect        = 
| former_names     = 
| events           = '''Current:'''<br />'''[[American Canadian Tour]]''' (1985, 2013, 2019, 2024–present)<br />'''[[International Supermodified Association]]'''<br>''Star Classic''<br />'''Former:'''<br />[[ARCA Menards Series East|NASCAR Busch North Series]] (1987–2001)<br />[[NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour]] (1985–1987, 1990)
| miles_first      = true
| layout1          = Oval (1966–present)
| surface          = Asphalt
| length_km        = 0.402
| length_mi        = 0.250
| turns            = 
| banking          = Semi-banked
| record_time      =
| record_driver    =
| record_car       =
| record_year      =
| record_class     =
| website          = {{URL|www.starspeedwaynh.com}}
}}

'''Star Speedway'''  is a [[Short track motor racing|short-track]] oval [[race track]] located in [[Epping, New Hampshire]]. It hosts a tour-type [[modified stock car racing]] division under the management of the Webber family.

==History==
[[File:Star speedway.jpg|thumb|left|A race on Star Speedway in August 2014]]
Star Speedway opened in 1966,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96578169/epping-track-opens-friday/ |title=Epping Track Opens Friday |newspaper=[[The Portsmouth Herald]] |location=[[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]] |page=15 |date=August 24, 1966 |accessdate=February 27, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> having been primarily built by Charlie Elliot, a contractor, restaurant owner, and car enthusiast from nearby [[Dover, New Hampshire]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96578016/star-speedway-a-small-miracle/ |title=Star Speedway a small miracle |first=Jerry |last=Nason |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=51 |date=August 19, 1970 |accessdate=February 27, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The prior year, Elliot had gone into business with Kendall C. Smith and local journalist [[Russ Conway (journalist)|Russ Conway]] to build a race track on what had formerly been Star Brick Yard in [[Epping, New Hampshire]].<ref name="WHAV">{{cite web|url=http://www.whav.net/cms/hockey-racing-hall-of-famer-russ-conway-salutes-ken-smith/|title=Hockey, Racing Hall of Famer Russ Conway Salutes Ken Smith|date=2017-05-17|website=[[WHAV]]|access-date=2018-11-03}}</ref> Elliot, Smith, and Conway sold their interests in the track by late 1983, when they purchased Lee Raceway (later known as [[Lee USA Speedway]]) in nearby [[Lee, New Hampshire]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96611920/auto-racing-column/ |title=Auto Racing (column) |first=Barry |last=Cadigan |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=101 |date=December 19, 1983 |accessdate=February 27, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

The track has a long history of notable drivers, highlighted by [[Ollie Silva]], a [[Modified stock car racing|modified]] and [[Supermodified racing|supermodified]] standout who won features races from Canada to Florida with less-than-top equipment.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/obituaries/articles/2004/08/20/ollie_quick_silva_at_75_lapped_competition_on_track/ |first=Tom |last=Long |website=[[Boston.com]] |date=August 20, 2004 |title=Ollie Quick Silva, at 75; lapped competition on track}}</ref>  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.{{cn|date=February 2022}} The speedway also held promotional races featuring some [[Boston Bruins]] players.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96593011/once-near-death-hes-racing-back/ |title=Once near death, he's racing back |first=Will |last=McDonough |authorlink=Will McDonough |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=58 |date=September 6, 1979 |accessdate=February 27, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> It even hosted what was then thought to be the heaviest [[wedding cake]] in history, tipping the scales at over {{convert|700|lb|kg}}.{{cn|date=February 2022}}

Star Speedway hosted one [[American Canadian Tour|NASCAR North Tour]] race in 1985.<ref name=RR/> The track hosted 20 [[ARCA Menards Series East|NASCAR Busch North Series]]<ref name=RR/> events between 1987 and 2001, and four [[NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour]] events between 1985 and 1990.<ref name=RR/>

==Since 2000==
{{Refimprove|section|date=February 2022}}
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.<ref name=Seacoastonline>{{cite web| url=http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20101015-NEWS-10150324| title=Speedway is open again| author=Kathleen D. Bailey| date=October 15, 2010| publisher=Seacoastonline.com| access-date=October 21, 2010}}</ref> 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 two [[American Canadian Tour|ACT Late Model Tour]] races, one in 2013 and the other in 2019.<ref name=RR>{{cite web |url=http://www.racing-reference.info/tracks/Star_Speedway |title=STAR SPEEDWAY |website=racing-reference.info |accessdate=February 27, 2022}}</ref>

The track hosts the Star Classic every fall, featuring the [[International Supermodified Association|ISMA Super Modifieds]]. Drivers such as Chris Perley (the 2005 winner), Russ Wood, Mike Ordway and [[Indianapolis 500]] veteran [[Bentley 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|date=February 2022}} hosts many popular touring series including [[Pro All Stars Series|PASS]], [[International Supermodified Association|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.{{Clarify|date=October 2017}}

==See also==
* [[New England Dragway]], also located in Epping

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{official website|www.starspeedwaynh.com}}

{{American Canadian Tour late model racetracks}}
{{Valenti Modified Racing Series racetracks}}
{{PASS Super Late Model Series racetracks}}
{{NASCAR K&N Pro Series racetracks}}
{{NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour racetracks}}

[[Category:Motorsport venues in New Hampshire]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Rockingham County, New Hampshire]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Rockingham County, New Hampshire]]
[[Category:Epping, New Hampshire]]
[[Category:NASCAR tracks]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1966]]
[[Category:1966 establishments in New Hampshire]]