1on1: Jerry Gappens (cont'd)

Q: Changing subjects a bit, it was a little surprising to see a Ferris wheel poking up on the skyline around the camping and parking areas adjacent to the track. What was that and the other amusement rides located there all about?

Gappens: You know, Bruton challenges us as general managers. He gives us enough latitude. Even though he's in charge and he owns and operates all these different facilities, he does let the general manager kind of put their own personality into it and try to let the track have its own personality as well, and make it unique from all the others. We were in a meeting in December in New York, and he was talking about how he feels NASCAR races are today's version of the state fair. When we were younger, the big event that you looked forward to every year was the state fair, if not the county fair. I come from the Midwest, so I went to a lot of county fairs and state fairs.

Track just fine

After two exciting NASCAR weekends at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Bruton Smith, president of SMI, has decided to leave the track alone.

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That left an impact on me, and then with what Bruton was saying, I was like, 'You know, he's right.' And I thought it would just add some entertainment value and some atmosphere to our fans who come in and stay for the weekend. So we went ahead and made plans to bring it in. I think the impact is two-fold: one, it's exciting to see a Ferris wheel and rides; and secondly, it gives our fans who are here for an extended stay in our camping areas something else to do when the track activities shut down for the day. They can go ride rides and play games. I would like to continue to do it. I think it also gives the kids something to do if they get a little bit bored with hanging out at the track. There is some kid in all of us.

Q: So have you discovered any new hobbies since moving north from Charlotte to the great state of New Hampshire?

Gappens: I had a couple people try to sell me snowmobiles when I first got here, but I avoided that temptation. I've not purchased a snowmobile, but last winter I got indoctrinated pretty quickly with the 130 inches of snow we had. It was a record snowfall. I did do snow skiing for the first time in my life. Guys that are built like offensive tackles and aged 46 years old probably shouldn't be making their debuts on skis. I wasn't Franz Klammer, but I didn't break anything -- so that was a major win.

Q: Have you been to Fenway Park in nearby Boston yet?

Gappens: I've been to Fenway several times. I enjoy it. I grew up a Cubs fan and used to go to Wrigley Field. I always wanted to go to Fenway Park and never had the opportunity. It's a great atmosphere for baseball. And that's one of the things that I think New Hampshire Motor Speedway offers. We may not have all the amenities, but I tell people all the time that I think our facility is a combination of Wrigley Field and Fenway Park and a state fair type of atmosphere, and there is nothing wrong with that. We're hosting major-league events, and I don't ever want to lose what we are through brick or mortar or renovations. I think you still want to keep that feel to it. I think the fans have a comfort level here, much like they do at Fenway. People have fun going to the ballpark there, and that's always what we want the people who come to our racetrack to have as well. That's why our company has always been big on things like the pre-race stunts and concerts, things that you don't see in your everyday walk of life.

Q: So are you a Red Sox or Cubs fan now?

Gappens: I still like the Cubs, and I'm still holding out hope that they'll win a World Series some day. But I will say that the Red Sox have moved up the flagpole to a strong second there. They certainly are my favorite in the American League, and if it came down to a Red Sox-Cubs' World Series, I'd like the Cubs to try to at least win one World Series. I remember watching the Cubs on WGN with my grandfather, and he never got to see them win a World Series -- so I hope my Dad and I can before we move on to the greener pastures of heaven someday.