Director of business development, Steve Kirkpatrick, has been named New Hampshire Motor Speedway's 2018 Salesperson of the Year for going above and beyond the call of duty in the corporate sales department. Kirkpatrick received the award on Wednesday in Las Vegas, where NASCAR is hosting its annual awards banquet.

"Steve's drive and determination have made him a very valuable member of our corporate sales team," said Lisa McGahan, director of corporate partnerships for New Hampshire Motor Speedway and NHMS's 2016 and 2017 salesperson of the year. "In the almost two years since his arrival, he has made great strides to build on existing partnerships and create new partnerships here at the speedway. Steve has accomplished a lot in 2018, and I can't wait to see great things from him in 2019."

Kirkpatrick has been part of the speedway's corporate sales department since 2017. This year, he was instrumental in increasing sponsorship levels including two new entitlement partnerships for the speedway. He manages a portfolio of 55 partners and has renewed many of them for next season.

"I am really honored to be named New Hampshire Motor Speedway's Salesperson of the Year," said Kirkpatrick. "I work with a team of dedicated professionals who support me and provide me with the tools needed to represent best-in-class sports and entertainment options for local, regional and national brands. I couldn't have success without the incredible team at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Speedway Motorsports, Inc."

Kirkpatrick, who currently resides in Bedford, N.H. with his wife, Kelly, and sons, Clay, Duncan, Reid and Stewart, was born in Middletown, Conn. He graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont and earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst prior to starting his career at a sports marketing agency, Octagon, in Connecticut. Kirkpatrick then was the general sales manager for Amoskeag Beverages as well as a business development executive for event marketing agency, Gigunda Group in Manchester, N.H. and Inspira Marketing in Norwalk, Conn. Before coming to NHMS in February 2017, he was with the sports content startup, Gameface Media in Boston, Mass.

Along with this award and other internal perks from the speedway, Kirkpatrick was honored with a trip to Las Vegas to attend the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Thursday.

For ticket information for events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, including the Gift of Lights, Nov. 23 - Dec. 31, visit the speedway website at www.NHMS.com or call Fan Relations at (603) 783-4931.