NHMS family presents gift basket to Baby Katie
LOUDON, N.H. (Sept. 23, 2012) – Shawna Arnold thought she had one lap to go, but the checkered flag fell early for the birth of her fourth daughter Baby Katie.
The Belmont mom returned to New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, site of the “Miracle at the Magic Mile.” Last week, Arnold delivered her baby girl in the backseat of the family sedan in the parking lot at NHMS.
“I thought I had plenty of time,” said Arnold, who was on her way to Concord Hospital. “I’ve had three children before, but Katie was not going to wait.”
If it were any other week at NHMS, Arnold might not have received the proper medical support needed to safely care for Katie. But fortunately it was race week at “The Magic Mile.” Director of Operations, Tom Blanchette, a trained EMT was quick to respond to the needs of Arnold, Katie and family.
“I’m convinced there are angels that walk among us because they stopped at the one place where they could get the most help” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of the speedway.
The birth on property was a first for the New Hampshire Motor Speedway family, and Gappens wanted to present a special care package to Katie and her mom. Katie’s family was invited to the speedway just before the running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SYLVNIA 300 for a special presentation in front of media and track officials.
Among the gifts given to Baby Katie and family were a Milo the Moose doll, Milo the Moose huggy pillow, baby care kit and a onesie with “I was born at New Hampshire Motor Speedway” embroidered on the back.
Katie also has tickets for life to all NASCAR events at the track.”Race fans are born, and Katie is proof,” joked Gappens. “We’ll see Katie and her parents at the races next summer.”
For more details and ticket information on events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, or to purchase tickets to next year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends, please stop by our Ticket Office, visit the speedway website at www.nhms.com, or call our Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931.