CONCORD — Mayors and officials from 13 Granite State cities will probably be closely watching the NASCAR Sprint Cup series next month at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway — they have $20,000 riding on the winner.

Speedway officials on Tuesday held an unusual lottery drawing at the State House as part of their Race to Benefit Education. City officials drew numbers to see who would get to pick first among the drivers in LENOX Industrial Tools 301 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on July 15.

If their selected driver wins, their city will get a $20,000 check from the NH Motor Speedway for an education initiative of their choosing.

The first pick went to Lebanon. Council member Sue Prentiss chose Tony Stewart.

Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas was among the last to pick a driver. He opted for car number one, driven by Clint Bower. “I think he'll be first,” he said.

“There weren't a lot of picks left, but I think we're going to get lucky,” Gatsas said after the event, adding, “There's no question the speedway should be congratulated for this.”

The other cities in the running are Berlin, Claremont, Concord, Dover, Franklin, Keene, Laconia, Nashua, Portsmouth, Rochester and Somersworth.

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