Bob Bahre, the founder of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, has died at the age of 93. (Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Bob Bahre, the founder of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, has died at the age of 93. (Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR photo)
NASCAR Cup Series

New Hampshire Motor Speedway Founder Bob Bahre, 93

July 24, 2020

LOUDON, N.H. – Bob Bahre, the founder of New Hampshire Motor Speedway and the former owner of Oxford Plains Speedway, has died at the age of 93.

“Bob Bahre’s passion and belief in NASCAR helped bring our sport to millions of New England fans over the last three decades,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France. “As founder of what is now New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Bahre’s bold vision helped set a tone for the sport’s national growth. Throughout his career, he was a trusted and valued voice in the industry, and will be greatly missed. My family and all of NASCAR extends its deepest condolences to Sandy, Gary and the entire Bahre family.”

Bahre broke into motorsports by owning a midget racing team in the 1950s and ’60s. In 1964 Bahre become a track owner, acquiring Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine.

During his years as the owner of the three-eighths-mile asphalt oval, Bahre created one of the Northeast’s biggest races, the Oxford 250. The event debuted in 1974 as a 200-lap race before later expanding to a 250-lap event.

After selling Oxford Plains Speedway in 1987, Bahre turned his attention building a new racing facility in New Hampshire. He would go on to acquire Bryar Motorsports Park and redeveloped the property into what would eventually become known as New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The track opened for business in 1990 as New Hampshire Int’l Speedway and hosted a NASCAR Xfinity Series that same season. After hosting six Xfinity Series events from 1990 through 1992, the track hosted its first NASCAR Cup Series race in 1993.

In 1996 Bahre partnered with Speedway Motorsports Executive Chairman Bruton Smith to purchase North Wilkesboro Speedway, which allowed them to move one of North Wilkesboro’s races to New Hampshire, giving the venue two NASCAR Cup Series races for the first time.

“Bob Bahre was a true pioneer for motorsports in New England,” said Smith. “He wanted to grow our sport and build things that people will remember. He was a smart businessman and I have a lot of respect for that, but I have even more respect for the positive impact he had on people. I’ll pray for Sandy and Gary during this tough time, and I know they are proud of the legacy Bob leaves behind.”

Bahre remained owner of the 1.058-mile paved oval through the 2007 season before selling the track to Speedway Motorsports, at which point the track was renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

“What I’ll remember most about Bob Bahre will be his character, understated yet charming,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “Every time I saw him he had on khakis and a white shirt. I always enjoyed our genuine conversations. He was very generous to people in the motorsports industry and to the New England communities where he did business. He went about things in a quiet, dignified manner and often times that simple approach is the most impactful. It’s truly an honor to have known Bob. He lived a meaningful life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Ricky Craven, a native of Maine who made a name for himself racing on short tracks in the Northeast prior to his NASCAR career, shared his memories of Bahre in a Twitter post Friday.