New Hampshire Motor Speedway launched a new video series today focused on proving one thing: NASCAR is a family sport. The show, titled “Speedway Mom,” features an everyday mother of two teenage boys, as she investigates the sport of auto racing and becomes a diehard fan.
Former NASCAR antagonist Cheryl LaPrade serves as Speedway Mom and explains what changed her mind about the sport. (In short, she simply gave it a chance and wants to encourage others to do the same.) She’ll take an exclusive look inside the workings of “The Magic Mile” and report her findings on the show. The initial rundown of shows includes a trip with NHMS executive vice president and general manager, Jerry Gappens, as he gives an infield tour, a discussion with pit reporter Dick Berggren about what makes NASCAR so much fun and might even feature a one-on-one with a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver.
LaPrade has two boys, ages 15 and 13, and deals with the same issues as most mothers. She juggles her work as the executive director of the NH Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities with transporting her children to their sporting events, encouraging them to stay focused on education and wishing hopelessly that they’d clean their rooms. She handles all this while supporting the family’s strong interest in NASCAR and scouring Dave Matthews’ schedule for nearby concerts.
In the pilot episode, the Speedway Mom recalls her first time attending a race. “We thought, ‘this was a great opportunity…let’s take the kids!’” she said. “From the moment that the command was given, we were hooked!”
The show captures the family-oriented nature of racing, and people need not look farther than the garages of NASCAR’s national series to see such connections. The sport’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., is the son of a late legend; top team owner Richard Childress is currently grooming his two grandsons, Austin and Ty Dillon, for the Sprint Cup Series; and, brothers Kurt and Kyle Busch run wild in the sport’s top series.
The pilot episode launched Tuesday, March 27 on NHMS.com. Aside from the website, it will also be uploaded to the NHMS Facebook page and the NHMS YouTube Channel. Shows will air roughly once a month and be shared on the site and social media accounts.
NHMS
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