With the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 race weekend less than a month away, New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) hosted media on Friday for a little taste of what’s to come. Media members from across New England took part in the fourth annual Media Racing Challenge, and it was Billy Thomas of the K-Zone on WPKZ 105.3 FM/1280 AM in Fitchburg, Mass. who took home the win.

“It still hasn’t sunk in, but the smile on my face says it all,” said Thomas. “I had an amazing time today. I can’t thank New Hampshire Motor Speedway, David McGrath, Shannon and everyone with Rusty Wallace Racing Experience enough. My ride-along driver Doug gave me some great tips that really helped me out, and the car performed fantastically for me. This is such an unexpected ending to a fantastic day, and I can’t wait to show this guy [the lobster] the hot tub later.”

The Media Racing Challenge winner was determined by the fastest lap time on the track. Thomas was the fastest media member around the track at 38.41 seconds, while Timmy G. (The Wicked Fast Podcast on 105.7 WROR), Adam Drapcho (Laconia Daily Sun), Nick Teto (Yankee Racer) and Zach Derby (104.9 The Hawk) rounded out the top five.

Thomas was honored with a traditional NHMS victory lane celebration, complete with a trophy, $100 gift card to Makris Lobster and Steak House and, of course, a live lobster, also provided by Makris Lobster and Steak House. Though a bit smaller than 20-pound Loudon the Lobster, who will be presented to the winner of the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 on July 18, the eight-pound crustacean was hoisted high up into the air by Thomas.

Lap Times:

  • Billy Thomas (The K-Zone on WPKZ 105.3 FM/1280 AM in Fitchburg, Mass.) – 38.41 seconds = 99.16 mph
  • Timmy G. (The Wicked Fast Podcast on 105.7 WROR in Boston, Mass.) – 39.22 seconds = 97.11 mph
  • Adam Drapcho (Laconia Daily Sun in Laconia, N.H.) – 39.27 seconds = 96.99 mph
  • Nick Teto (Yankee Racer in Johnston, R.I.) – 39.39 seconds = 96.69 mph
  • Zach Derby (104.9 The Wolf in Concord, N.H.) – 39.45 seconds = 96.55 mph
  • Matt Porter (The Boston Globe in Boston, Mass.) – 43.26 seconds = 88.04 mph
  • Kevin Wiles Jr. (WHDH-TV in Boston, Mass.) – 43.64 seconds = 87.28 mph
  • Justin McIsaac (WGIR-AM in Manchester, N.H.) – 44.27 seconds = 86.04 mph
  • Chris Ryan (WGIR-AM in Manchester, N.H.) – 45 seconds = 84.64 mph
  • Andy Austin (99.9 The Wolf in Portland, Maine) – 45.41 seconds = 83.88 mph
  • Terrill Covey (Seacoast Online.com and Portsmouth Herald in Dover, N.H.) – 48.05 seconds = 79.27 mph
  • Harrison Hinman (93.3 The Wolf in Concord, N.H.) – 50.71 seconds = 75.11 mph
  • Darryl Mundo (WASR 97.1 FM/1420 AM in Wolfeboro, N.H.) – 52.25 seconds = 72.90 mph

Race weekend action gets underway on Doubleheader Saturday, July 17 with practice and qualifying sessions scheduled for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT). The green flag drops for the Whelen 100 NWMT race at 12:45 p.m. followed by the Lakes Region 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at 3 p.m. The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 will run at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 18, marking the 50th NCS race at “The Magic Mile.”

For a NASCAR race weekend schedule, visit NHMS.com/Events/Foxwoods-Resort-Casino-301/Schedule/

Tickets:

Log on to NHMS.com for tickets, schedules and more information on the weekend’s lineup of action-packed racing. Doubleheader Saturday tickets start at just $35 while kids 12 and under are free. Sunday’s Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 tickets start at just $59 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under.

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