During FANtasy Drive Open House on April 7 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
LOUDON, N.H. (April 2, 2012) – The top-16 finalists for the Speedway Star singing competition have been chosen and will perform live during the FANtasy Drive Open House at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 7.
More than 50 of New England’s best singers entered but only the most talented 15 finalists were invited to the next round. The top contenders hailing from New Hampshire are: Samantha G. and Joshua Y. from Concord, Jodie C. Gilmanton, Alexis C. from Littleton, Jimmy L. from Manchester, Alan S. from Nashua, Colin W. from Newmarket, Megan T. from Nottingham, Cathy P. from Rochester, and Emma J. from Windham. From Massachusetts are Whitney D. from Fitchburg and Jillian C. from Haverhill followed by Maine-natives Bruce P. from Lebanon and Rosemary C. from Kennebunk.
After the first round of elimination, the finalists will be given one last chance on Saturday to sing their best version of “The Star Spangled Banner” a cappella style (without music or other accompaniments) in front of race fans and a celebrity judging panel. The judging lineup will include NASCAR pit reporter Dick Berggren, WMUR/ABC 9 news anchor Jennifer Vaughn, RCA Records director of northeast promotion Dan Nelson, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s general manager Jerry Gappens. New England’s Best Country station WOKQ/97.5 FM Morning Waking Crew host Mark Ericson will serve as emcee of this “Idol-style” competition.
Two winners will be selected during the fan celebration to perform during the NASCAR event weekends at either the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour New England 100 on July 14, or the F.W. Webb 100 on Sept. 22.
FANtasy Drive is a free admission open house with something for everyone. Race fans can feel like their favorite NASCAR star by driving their own car around the 1.058-mile oval, they can enter the infield to check out the garage area, have their picture taken in Victory Lane and meet local, regional series drivers. The hospitality area will feature a band and Milo the moose will host his annual Easter egg hunt for the children. Other area mascots will be throwing a birthday party for Milo as he celebrates his 3rd birthday. Attendees may also check out the box levels for an exclusive tour of chairman of the board Bruton Smith’s suite or head up to race control to see where officials oversee the track.
For more information and for rules and regulations please click here http://www.nhms.com/documents/2012-speedway_star-rules.pdf.
The 2012 NHMS season is almost here. Purchase your tickets for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 on July 15 or the SYLVANIA 300 on Sept. 23 by calling the track’s ticket hotline at (603) 783-4931 or by visiting www.nhms.com.