Indy racing returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend for the first time since 1998, when Tony Stewart won the New England 200 on his way to a series championship and a long-term NASCAR contract with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Television cameras and notebook-wielding reporters will flock to the Magic Mile by the dozens to cover all things Danica Patrick, she also with a rumored major league stock car deal in the offing.

No offense intended to those open-wheel rockets or their most popular pilot, but 65 other people roaming the garage area in fire suits this weekend probably couldn’t care less.

That’s how many drivers are on the preliminary entry list for the inaugural ACT Late Model All-Star Challenge, a two-day tango that begins today in Loudon, N.H.

It’s expected to be the second-largest field to compete in a New England touring division race this season, not far beneath the 82 that attempted to qualify for the TD Bank 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway three weeks ago.

One surprise, last-minute prospective qualifier is Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I.

Stefanik, an eight-time race winner in the K&N Pro Series East and Whelen Modified Tour at New Hampshire, takes over the second RPM Motorsports ride vacated when Austin Theriault of Fort Kent left the team last week.

It’s new ground for Stefanik, who has never turned a lap in an ACT-style late model.

“The whole newness of it is what’s exciting for me,” Stefanik said in a press release. “I really don’t know what to expect. I’ve been told that I’ve got a really good car, and it usually comes down to the car. As long as I’m smart with it, I should be OK. It will be on-the-job training.”

He has far more experience at the 1.058-mile layout than a majority of the ACT field. Whether touring or competing locally on weekends, most of those drivers have carved out their reputation on short tracks.

ACT has competed at NHMS twice previously, with Eddie MacDonald and Joey Polewarczyk Jr. winning invitational events in September 2009 and 2010.

This weekend’s race is the first late model “open” at the track.

OPS gave its late model teams the weekend off from points racing in deference to the superspeedway showcase.

“Hopefully we can improve upon last year,” said Ricky Rolfe of Albany Township, who was seventh and the top Maine driver in that 60-lap showdown.

Rolfe and business partner/team owner Mark Brackett of Jay built an all-new Ford Fusion for the occasion.

Other Maine drivers entered are Theriault, Dennis Spencer Jr. of Oxford, Brad Babb of Windham, Tommy Ricker of Poland, Glen Luce of Turner, Ben Ashline of Pittston, Dave Farrington Jr. of Jay, Rowland Robinson Jr. of Birch Harbor, T.J. Brackett of Buckfield, Shawn Martin of Turner and Scott Luce of Strong.

Conspicuous by their absence are the top five drivers in the OPS Late Model point standings: Jeff White, Don Wentworth, Tim Brackett, Shane Green and Corey Morgan.

White tested at NHMS with the other teams and won a simulated qualifying heat. But with a 20-point lead over Wentworth and only one race remaining on August 27, he is staying home to keep the car intact and focus his energy on a potential first speedway championship.

For others, it is worth the gamble for a share of the purse and a chance to compete at New England’s hub track. The winner’s portion of $123,000 in posted awards is $5,000.

The top dog will earn that payday through a unique, if somewhat disjointed format.

All qualifying races are 20 laps.

Three first-round heats are scheduled for 10:25 a.m. 12:15 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. Ten drivers will qualify from each.

Ten drivers will advance to the main event through top-five performances in a pair of last-chance events, starting at 2:25 p.m.

Two provisional starters will be taken from both the United States and Castrol (Canadian) ACT divisions for a final starting grid of 44 cars.

Saturday’s two-segment feature will begin with a 25-lap sprint at 10:30 a.m.

Then it’s a waiting game while Indy practice and qualifying and the NASCAR Whelen Modified cars speed into the spotlight. The 50-lap second segment — lineup set by an inversion of the morning finish — will take the green flag at approximately 6:15 p.m.

In the tradition of the storied Milk Bowl at its hub track, Thunder Road in Barre, Vt., ACT will determine an overall winner by the lowest combined finish in the two races. For example, finishes of second and third would be good for five points.

LEFT TURNS

— OPS won’t be dormant this weekend. WOXO Mega Prize Night includes racing for the Strictly Stock, Mini Stock, Outlaw and Runnin’ Rebel divisions. As the name implies, it’s also a chance for selected spectators to play on-track games and walk away with loot. Racing begins at 6:30 p.m.

— Three of Oxford’s Acceleration Series divisions fell victim to the rain Wednesday night and will contest double features next week. Between the showers, Bill Grover (Renegade) and Dottie Patria (Ladies) drove into victory lane.

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