2023 Daytona 500 champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., NASCAR Cup Series driver of the No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet, proudly shows off the lobster he banded at Luke's Lobster Portland Pier as part of his visit to Portland, Maine on Tuesday.
Olive Branch, Miss. native Ricky Stenhouse Jr. visited Portland, Maine for the first time Tuesday with stops at Luke's Lobster Portland Pier, Lucky Catch Cruises, The Holy Donut and Portland Head Light.
Stenhouse Jr. began the day at Luke’s Lobster Portland Pier, where he learned how to make a proper New England lobster roll from Jeff Holden whose son Luke is the founder and CEO of Luke’s Lobster. Stenhouse then received a tour of the receiving area where lobster boats bring their fresh daily catch for Luke’s Lobster to purchase and also the holding tanks where the lobsters are held once received. Stenhouse then enjoyed a lobster roll lunch with some local media members.
Once lunch was finished, Stenhouse Jr. boarded the Lucky Catch Cruise that took him out on the water to learn more about lobstering. Captain Tom Martin taught Stenhouse Jr., dressed in a bright orange apron and rubber gloves, how to haul traps, measure the lobsters and band the claws while enjoying the cruise.
Once back on land, Stenhouse Jr. stopped in to The Holy Donut, where Director of Retail Operations Joshua Ward taught him how to make donuts from Maine potatoes. Stenhouse rolled out the dough, cut and hand-formed the donuts, lowered them into the deep fryer, flipped them and glazed them. Once finished, he immediately indulged in the popular blueberry donut made from Maine blueberries and ordered a half-dozen to take home that included New England favorites, maple bacon and whoopie pie.
Stenhouse’s visit concluded at the Portland Head Light, where he walked around Fort Williams Park and checked out the famous lighthouse up close while enjoying the sound of the waves crashing on the rocky shore.
Before heading back to Portland International Jetport to return home, Stenhouse Jr. reflected on the day: “Yeah, Portland, Maine, I didn't really know what to expect when I got here. It was cool just seeing the little town right there on the water, seeing the industry at work, watching the guys bring in the lobster right there at Luke's Lobster House and then being able to eat a lobster roll right there, fresh, was amazing. Headed out on the boat, it was really neat seeing the way they, I mean, I've seen the lobster traps, but I've never really seen how it worked and what all goes into it, so that was really cool. I like to get perspectives from everybody, and then the donuts, I've always just ate donuts. I've never really paid attention how they were made, but no, it was an amazing experience. Looking forward to getting back up here in New England. It's just really cool this time of year, seeing everybody out and about, gets me excited to get up here and get to racing.”
Stenhouse Jr. will return to New England on Sunday, Aug. 23 to compete in the Dollar Tree 301 NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
On-track action kicks off Friday with practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) plus SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels at The Flat Track. The action continues on Doubleheader Saturday with the Team EJP 175 NCTS race and the Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race following NCS practice and qualifying. The on-track action culminates Sunday with the Dollar Tree 301 NCS race. Don’t miss all of the exciting off-track entertainment including the “The Magic Mile” Happy Hour Show, Trackside Live, The Groove fan hangout, concerts from Everybody Wants Some and Tim Dugger, Family Movie Night featuring “Zootopia 2,” driver appearances, fireworks and much more.
For a full NASCAR weekend schedule, visit NHMS.com/Events/NASCAR-Cup-Series/Schedule/.
For tickets and camping for New England’s only NCS weekend, featuring the Dollar Tree 301 NCS race, Team EJP 175 NCTS race, Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race and SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels, fans should visit NHMS.com or call 833-4LOUDON. Tickets for kids 12 and under are just $10 on Sunday, free on Doubleheader Saturday and start at $10 on Friday.
