LOUDON, N.H. (July 10, 2012) – President Barack Obama might not be able to be a part of the biggest sporting event in New England on Sunday, but the tickets that were left for him certainly won't be wasted. Francine Slesinski won a two-week long auction that ended with the Chesterfield, Mass., native as the highest bidder on four tickets to Sunday's LENOX Industrial Tools 301 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The tickets are emblazoned with Obama's name and White House address, and were sold for $300 to Slesinski, who has attended every NASCAR race at the speedway for the last 10 years. Slesinski plans to camp at the track beginning on Thursday and will use the tickets with her husband and family.

“I planned on getting tickets anyway,” said Slesinski, “but when I saw those up for auction I had to get them.”

With all proceeds benefiting the Speedway Children's Charities, New Hampshire Motor Speedway executive vice president and general manager Jerry Gappens started the bidding at $100 back on June 27. The (4) tickets are located in Section H, Row 44 of the Main Grandstand, some of the best seats in the house. Each ticket has a face value of $110.

“Though it didn't create the frantic, high-paced competitive bidding that we had hoped, it did raise $300 for Speedway Children's Charities,” said Gappens. “Francine got a great bargain, excellent seats to the biggest sporting event in New England and a one-of-a-kind collectible!”

Gappens had originally hoped the president might stop by the speedway while he was in New Hampshire on June 25 for a campaign visit. In response to Gappens' invitation, Obama's campaign released an official statement from the office of New Hampshire State Director Pete Kavanaugh, indicating that while they did “appreciate the offer” … “the president will not be able to attend the race.”