It seems like the NASCAR Cup Series was saved by their use of wet weather tires at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon.
Mother Nature didn’t want to see NASCAR finish the USA Today 301 in Loudon, but Goodyear allowed the best racers in America to get the job done. That led to a lot of praise for the sport’s decision-makers in general, and NASCAR SVP of Competition Elton Sawyer faced the media afterwards.
Speaking with FOX’s Bob Pockrass following a successful event, Sawyer explained that without the wet weather tires making it possible to get back on the track, the race would’ve been called with 82 laps to go, when the red flag came out for rain.
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Elton Sawyer explains the procedures of the wet weather tires, his evaluation of it, why NASCAR didn’t call the race considering the severe weather threat in New Hampshire and why they had non-competitive pit stops. pic.twitter.com/3Lx8pzGaZm
“Oh, we would’ve,” Sawyer responded, revealing NASCAR would’ve called the race if not for the wet weather tires. “We would’ve been done with 82 laps to go. Again, it gave us an opportunity to get back green. We knew we were up against it, with daylight as well. But kudos to our teams, our drivers, our owners and especially Mr. [Jim] France, for his vision.”
That really puts it all into perspective, as the action we saw following the rain delay was certainly worth it. Continuing, Sawyer explained how the process went down with wet weather tires, and what NASCAR learned following the USA Today 301 in Loudon.
“Well, I think the way we started this whole wet weather tire process was basically, we wanted to get our races started on time, and it really played into our hand (Saturday), to get the Xfinity Series race started on time, and to get our races back to green as quick as possible if we’ve had a delay, which we had (Sunday),” Sawyer elaborated. “So kudos to Goodyear. Again, this was Jim France’s vision, of what wet weather tires could do. We ran 301-plus laps today, because it went into overtime. Our fans that bought a ticket, they got to see some great, exciting racing.
“There’s still some things that we’re learning throughout this process, and in all honesty, we’d like to be out of the tire business. We’d like to just turn that over to the teams. But as we continue to take small steps and we learn, eventually we’ll get there. We just want to do this in the safest way possible.”
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Moreover, the race began around 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, and lasted six hours due to the two-hour weather delay. Once the rain cleared, the drivers completed on a damp track with rain tires, the second time in NASCAR history a points-paying race used the newly-developed tires. When the race was all said and done, Christopher Bell came away with the victory.
“You never know how this thing is going to shake out whenever you change so many things like that and have adverse conditions,” Bell said after the race. “I personally love adverse conditions because you’re always trying to think outside the box.
“When we went back out [on wet weather tires after the red flag delay] I was feeling around and it felt like the normal Loudon groove was really, really slippery so I tried to just run down or up, but [crew chief] Adam [Lambert] really put the tune on this thing and it was running good.”
Christopher Bell might’ve been the most joyous about the experience, but drivers, fans and media members alike have given Elton Sawyer and NASCAR rave reviews for what they pulled off on Sunday. Hopefully it allows the sport to push the envelope some more into the future, as well.
Sunflowers are my absolute FAVORITE flowers. I truly feel like they have magical uplifting abilities. Hence, why I’ve always kept fresh sunflowers in my house, brightening up my kitchen table or even my TV stand.
Obviously, it was a dream of mine to have my maternity photos taken in a sunflower field. They reflect sunshine and exude happiness.
Not to mention, one of my favorite quotes is about sunflowers! “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller
A beautiful reminder to keep an optimistic outlook on life and not dwell on the negative.
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So, you can imagine the joy I felt when I learned that New Hampshire had its very own Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm in Lee!
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
About the Sunflower Festival:
During the summer, the farm transforms into a sea of golden blooms, giving visitors the chance to wander through thousands of sunflowers, snap photos, enjoy local food vendors, artisan crafts, listen to live music, and experience one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful summer traditions.
Other unique activities on the itinerary? Sip-n-snip! Guests can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail of their choice and cut their own fresh bouquet of flowers.
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
Or maybe you’re a yoga fan? You can join a 60-minute sweat session from Lee, New Hampshire yoga instructors right in the heart of the flower field.
And because the farm grows oilseed sunflowers for culinary oil (which they harvest in the fall months), the flowers only stay at their peak for a brief window, making the festival a limited-time experience, according to the festival organizers…
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What makes this event even more special is the reason behind it. The festival started as a way to share the beauty of the sunflower fields, but it has grown into something much bigger. Organizers say the event has raised more than $90,000 for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire over the years and now shares a portion of its proceeds with several local nonprofit organizations serving the Seacoast community.
Anyone who knows me knows that paying it forward is something that’s incredibly important to me. It’s right up there with my love of sunflowers because both fill my cup in the best way. So, when I found out this festival celebrates my favorite flower and gives back to the community, I knew I had to share it.
Sunflower Festival Details:
This festival only runs from Saturday, July 25th until Sunday, August 2nd. You can get the full list of activities and more on the Coppal Farm website.
Daily Field Hours
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10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last admission at 6PM because fields close at 6:30) Weekend Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free Weekend Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm): $16 per person ages 13 & older $14 per person ages 5-12 $14 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free includes: access to sunflower fields, craft fair, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, farm animals, & live music
Weekday Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $8 per person ages 13 & older $6 per person ages 5-12 $6 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
Weekday Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
What tickets include: Access to sunflower fields, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, and farm animals
READ MORE: A Classic Fairy Tale Comes To Life At Portsmouth’s Prescott Park This Summer
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This festival might just leave you smiling long after you leave the fields!
What Flowers Thrive in New England
See what flowers thrive in New England weather: Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Gallery Credit: Logan
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering Locally Grown Strawberries
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering PYO Strawberries
Ed. Note: If this was you and you are interested, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP.
“Dear PoPville,
I was biking home from a doctor appointment a little before noon on Friday, and stopped at a red light on New Hampshire & L st nw. There was a woman across the street who was looking fine in her dark blue (I think they were) scrubs. I might be crazy, but it felt like we kept checking each other out. By the third time,
if we were in a romcom, one of us would have waved. Sorry I didn’t, but if you are reading this and date men, reach out to the Prince if you are interested in that man on the bike. Have a great weekend!”
Ed. Note: If this is you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. PoPville is not affiliated with either party, please proceed with any potential connection at your own risk using caution as you would any online encounter. For those curious about past missed connections, many have been made and when possible I’ll try to update when/if more are made.
A New Hampshire motorcyclist who had been missing since the Fourth of July was found dead in Shelburne late Thursday night.
State police say they received a request from the Berlin Police Department just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday for help locating 41-year-old Wesley Grondin — the Berlin man was last seen riding his motorcycle on Saturday, July 4, and had been reported missing.
Troopers received a call a couple of hours later, around 10:10 p.m. Thursday, from a concerned resident who had been out looking for Grondin along Route 2 in Shelburne. The person told police they had found Grondin dead, along with his Harley Davidson.
According to state police, a preliminary investigation determined that Grondin was riding his Harley on Route 2 westbound in Shelburne when, for reasons that remain under investigation, he crossed over into the opposing lane, struck a post, and came to a final rest in the wood line.
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The crash is believed to have occurred just before midnight on July 4. At this time, police say there’s no indication that another vehicle or person was involved.
All aspects of the crash remain under investigation, however. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact Trooper Hunter Newsham at Hunter.P.Newsham@dos.nh.gov.
