Race fans on Friday took to Twitter and other social media sites complaining the popular display was not at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, some blaming NASCAR or the track itself for its absence.
Speedway president Jerry Gappens said the track was informed less than two weeks ago that Sprint would not be bringing the Experience this weekend. As of Friday afternoon, Sprint's web site page dedicated to the Experience still said it would be appearing at all 36 Cup race weekends this season.
"As a promoter, when I got word two weeks ago I was disappointed because it creates a void in the display area that is a featured attraction for fan interaction," Gappens said. "The Sprint display has been a very popular activity for our fans for years.
"To have that not here, takes away from the experience. Sprint is in a very competitive business and needed to divert some of the money it took to activate it to advertising."
Gappens said the track - and others coming up including Michigan, Watkins Glen and Atlanta - will still get paid for the display space. "I'd still like to see it here, though," he said.
When asked about the decision not to bring the Sprint Experience to New Hampshire, spokesperson Kimberly Meesters provided the following statement to The Observer:
"We have an abbreviated schedule during the summer. It will be at New Hampshire in the fall. Some years we take it to every race. Some years we focus on the markets most important to Sprint corporate priorities. Sometimes we send it every week but send smaller footprints. It varies. We are doing 33 races this season."
The Sprint Experience is a 14,400-square-foot interactive display that brings fans closer to the sport by offering custom interactive games, driver and celebrity appearances, participation in stage games, and the latest handsets and technologies available from Sprint.
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