LOUDON, N.H. – Due to last-minute permit issues, the elephant race scheduled as part of the pre-race activities Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway has been cancelled.

“We didn’t know until late (Thursday) that there were pachyderm permits required to move an elephant across state lines, and apparently, there are some health certifications required as well,” Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of the speedway, said in a statement. “We’re disappointed, but we simply don’t have the time to comply properly with all the federal procedures.”

The NASCAR Sprint Cup race, the Lenox Indistrial Tools 301, is scheduled to start Sunday at 2 p.m. at NHMS. Tickets were still available as of Friday.