LOUDON, N.H. (May 30, 2012) – It wasn’t that long ago that A.J. Allmendinger was turning his first laps in NASCAR at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the Camping World Truck Series. A little over five years later, the Californian is a full-fledged star in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and in July he will return to “The Magic Mile” to take part in the annual WOKQ FanFest on Thursday, July 12.
Allmendinger will answer questions from Mark and 2K of WOKQ’s Morning Waking Crew, then will hang around to sign autographs for a few lucky fans. During the day, the first 100 fans to buy Allmendinger merchandise will receive a wristband that will allow them access to the autograph session at his souvenir trailer in the Broadway Midway.
Admission to all events, including FanFest, on July 12 is completely free of charge.
“It’s always cool to get up and close with the fans, especially New England fans because they’re so passionate about all their sports,” said Allmendinger, driver of the No. 22 Shell Oil Company/Pennzoil Dodge Charger for Penske Racing. “Loudon is where I first started my NASCAR career, so it’s going to be great to be a part of the weekend up there.”
Allmendinger will be the latest in a long line of drivers that have taken part in this unique fan-driven event, including Joey Logano, Jeff Burton, Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer and Michael Waltrip.
FanFest provides fans with a jumpstart to an exciting weekend of NASCAR racing that includes the Whelen Modified Tour Town Fair Tire 100 and Nationwide Series F.W. Webb 200 on Saturday, and the Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 on Sunday.
Also running on Saturday will be the Global RallyCross Championship, which is making its New Hampshire Motor Speedway debut. GRC drivers – which includes the likes of 10-time gold medalist Travis Pastrana, 2011 X Games Rally Racing gold medalist Liam Doran, two-time World Rally champion Marcus Gronholm and Dave Mirra, the most decorated X Games athlete of all-time – will practice on their specially-built course from 8:30-11:00 a.m. prior to FanFest on July 12.
Other entertainment scheduled for WOKQ FanFest includes a balloon artist, raffles, caricatures and mini tech 101, as well as appearances from other NASCAR or Global RallyCross drivers. There will also be a free concert slated for 9 p.m. And while the band has yet to be determined, past acts to have performed at FanFest include the country music duos Steel Magnolia and Trailer Choir as well as country icons Brett Eldredge and Chuck Wicks.
FanFest begins at 5:30 p.m. and will also include the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hauler Parade beginning at 6:00 p.m. This exclusive opportunity allows fans to see the colorful rigs that bring their favorite driver’s car to the track for race weekend.
For more details and ticket information on events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway or to purchase tickets to the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 and SYLVANIA 300 NASCAR weekends, please stop by our Ticket Office, visit the speedway website at www.nhms.com, or call our Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931.