Lenox Industrial Tools 301 News and Notes

New Hampshire Tale of the Tape: The Favorites

Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet)

· Eighth in points
· Four wins, eight top fives, 13 top 10s
· Average finish of 13.5
· Average Running Position of 12.8, seventh-best
· Driver Rating of 91.5, ninth-best
· 497 Green Flag Passes, 11th-most
· 1,979 Laps in the Top 15 (66.7%), seventh-most
· 229 Quality Passes, 11th-most

Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)

· Sixth in points
· Three wins, six top fives, nine top 10s
· Average finish of 14.3
· Average Running Position of 13.6, ninth-best
· Driver Rating of 91.6, eighth-best
· 116 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-most
· 509 Green Flag Passes, ninth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 123.971 mph, seventh-fastest
· 1,945 Laps in the Top 15 (65.6%), eighth-most
· 323 Quality Passes, fourth-most

Kyle Busch (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota)

· Third in points
· One win, four top fives, five top 10s
· Average finish of 15.6
· Driver Rating of 89.4, 12th-best
· 101 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-most
· 512 Green Flag Passes, eighth-most
· 1,637 Laps in the Top 15 (55.2%), 12th-most
· 259 Quality Passes, eighth-most

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet)

· 13th in points
· Five top fives, eight top 10s
· Average finish of 17.8
· Average Running Position of 10.9, fifth-best
· Driver Rating of 100.7, fifth-best
· 173 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-most
· 504 Green Flag Passes, 10th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 124.355 mph, third-fastest
· 2,329 Laps in the Top 15 (78.5%), fourth-most
· 337 Quality Passes, second-most

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)

· Fifth in points
· Three wins, 13 top fives, 16 top 10s; three poles
· Average finish of 11.4
· Series-best Average Running Position of 7.4
· Driver Rating of 108.0, second-best
· 248 Fastest Laps Run, second-most
· 460 Green Flag Passes, 12th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 124.426 mph, second-fastest
· Series-high 2,667 Laps in the Top 15 (89.9%)
· Series-high 341 Quality Passes

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Freight Toyota)

· Fourth in points
· One win, three top fives, six top 10s
· Average finish of 7.5
· Average Running Position of 9.5, third-best
· Driver Rating of 102.7, fourth-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 124.184 mph, fourth-fastest
· 1,991 Laps in the Top 15 (84.2%), sixth-most
· 304 Quality Passes, fifth-most

Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet)

· First in points
· One win, three top fives, nine top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 14.8
· Average Running Position of 13.0, eighth-best
· Driver Rating of 93.2, seventh-best
· 123 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 123.911 mph, 10th-fastest
· 1,864 Laps in the Top 15 (62.9%), ninth-most

Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet)

· Second in points
· Two wins, five top fives, 11 top 10s
· Average finish of 9.5
· Average Running Position of 9.8, fourth-best
· Driver Rating of 106.3, third-best
· 230 Fastest Laps Run, third-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 124.111 mph, fifth-fastest
· 2,530 Laps in the Top 15 (85.3%), second-most
· 336 Quality Passes, third-most

Mark Martin (No. 5 CARQUEST/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet)

· 11th in points
· One win, nine top fives, 14 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 10.7
· Average Running Position of 11.3, sixth-best
· Driver Rating of 98.0, sixth-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 124.079 mph, sixth-fastest

Ryan Newman (No. 39 Haas Automation Chevrolet)

· 15th in points
· Two wins, five top fives, 10 top 10s; four poles
· Average finish of 13.8
· Average Running Position of 14.5, 12th-best
· Driver Rating of 90.6, 10th-best
· 101 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-most
· 1,993 Laps in the Top 15 (67.2%), fifth-most
· 251 Quality Passes, 10th-most

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Old Spice Chevrolet)

· 10th in points
· Two wins, 11 top fives, 13 top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 12.3
· Average Running Position of 9.4, second-best
· Series-best Driver Rating of 114.9
· Series-high 276 Fastest Laps Run
· Series-best Average Green Flag Speed of 124.450 mph
· 2,361 Laps in the Top 15 (79.6%), third-most
· 302 Quality Passes, sixth-most

Lenox Industrial Tools 301
By Micah Roberts

Over the last 4 weeks of NASCAR Sprint Cup series racing, we have seen four vastly different tracks and it continues this week with a visit to Loudon, New Hampshire’s flat one-mile track. Even though this is the first of two races to be held in Loudon this season, we can say that we have already seen the basics of this race run twice already this season.

Because of similar traits, performances run already this season at Phoenix and Richmond can be used as a great barometer into getting a head start for handicapping this weeks race. None of the tracks look alike in configuration, but because of the flat banking, many of the successful teams will be bringing the same chassis they did well with in those races to Loudon this week.

The driver with the most combined success this year at Phoenix and Richmond was Jeff Gordon, who probably should have won both, but finished second in each. It’s likely that if it had been the Gordon from 10 years ago, those would have been cinch wins, but even the Gordon of 10 years ago didn’t have to deal with green-white-checker finishes, the new late-race format where Gordon has yet to be the beneficiary of.

Gordon has yet to win in 2010 but is coming in this race with two straight top-five finishes and is currently fifth in points. His two runs at Phoenix and Richmond remain his best runs of the year. Over his career, Gordon is a three time winner at New Hampshire with his last coming in 1998. It seems like an eternity since that magical 13 win season of 1998. In more recent history, last season Gordon finished runner-up in this race and did the same in both 2007 races.

The one car Gordon may want to stay away from this week is Martin Truex Jr’s NAPA “Know-How” car. Last week at Sonoma, Gordon punted Truex Jr. early in the race after Truex Jr had fought his way into the top-5 with a very good car which resulted in Truex Jr losing several positions, and eventually caused him later to be involved in a wreck ending his day.

Truex Jr. vowed to get even with Gordon at Loudon with the “What goes around, comes around” theory. Gordon admitted he was wrong and apologized as much as he could, but Truex Jr didn’t seem to care much saying, “Of course he‘s sorry.”

Usually that type of talk and banter after a race is to be expected, but it’s rare to have a driver actually call the race he’s going to get even in, and in the this new age of NASCAR‘s relaxed stance on personality outbursts, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him make good on his promise.

If Truex’s revenge scares you off what should be one of the top contenders, then how about taking a look at last weeks winner, Jimmie Johnson, who finished in the top-10 at both Phoenix and Richmond. Johnson moved up four positions in points with the win, thanks to dreadful days by Gibbs teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. Johnson is a two-time Loudon winner, with both coming in 2003.

Kyle Busch won at Richmond this year and fought hard to finish eighth at Phoenix. He won this race in 2006 and finished in the top-10 of both Loudon races last season.

Juan Pablo Montoya is an interesting look this week not only because he finished fifth at Phoenix and sixth at Richmond this year, but because he finished second in the fall Loudon race last year. Montoya didn’t make many friends last week at Sonoma either with his bully tactics, but he’s one to watch this week who should have some great value.

Mark Martin won the fall New Hampshire race last season and finished fourth at Phoenix this year, one of best runs of the season. He hasn’t had the same look of a winner like he did last season, but is still someone to take notice of. This week he'll be using the same chassis that he finished fourth in at Phoenix earlier this year.

Jeff Burton is the tracks all-time leader in wins with four and had a great run at Richmond with fourth-place. This week he'll be bring the same car that finished runner-up at Phoneix last year and fourth at Richmond in 2010.

Top-5 Finish Prediction:

1) #24 Jeff Gordon (8/1)
2) #48 Jimmie Johnson (5/1)
3) #18 Kyle Busch (7/1)
4) #42 Juan Pablo Montoya (18/1)
5) #31 Jeff Burton (20/1)

Last ten winners at Loudon have been different
By: Steve Makinen

The NASCAR Cup series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon this weekend for the running of the Lenox Industrial Tools 301. The Magic Mile, the nickname for NHMS, hosts two races each year, with the second one coming in September as the first race in the Chase. So not only is this week’s event a preview for a bigger race down the road, it will also play a big role in which drivers still have title hopes at that time. The track is as flat as they come in NASCAR and typically at flat tracks, the cream rises to the top. For that reason, it’s interesting to note that 10 different drivers have won the last 10 races at this facility, and none of them was named Jimmie Johnson, the defending four-time series champ. Even still, after Johnson’s win at Sonoma last weekend, he is the favorite for Sunday at 5-1 odds, ahead of five other expected contenders listed at 10-1 or better.

With 16 races in the books and 10 remaining till the cutoff point, there are still about 20 contenders in the hunt for the 12 Chase spots, with Juan Montoya in 20th being the last driver within a single-race point margin of the 12th place driver, Carl Edwards. Kevin Harvick continues to lead the standings and is 140-points in front of Jimmie Johnson. Kyle Busch is third, 141-points back, and Denny Hamlin is in fourth, 151-points out. Ironically, Harvick has one win only, while the three closest runners-up to him in the standings have combined for 11. Perhaps even more strange is the fact that seven of the Top 12 drivers currently have not won a race in 2010, led by Jeff Gordon, who rounds out the Top 5.

With banking of just 12 degrees in the turns and 2 degrees in the straightaways, New Hampshire is a sure-fire designated Flat Track. Most NASCAR fans aren’t crazy about flat track racing, which has become synonymous with single groove, non-compelling action, but bettors dig it a little more since typically the best cars finish at the front at flat tracks. Luck and strategy theoretically don’t play as important of a role, making it the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the available matchup and prop wagering options. Don’t tell that to Joey Logano though, as he picked up his only career Cup Series win at this race a year ago, benefitting from a late decision to stay out of the pits before the skies opened up and prematurely ended the race. Oddsmakers certainly aren’t putting a whole lot of stock into that win, listing Logano at 20-1 for Sunday.

Jimmie Johnson is a well-known flat track ace, and thus not surprisingly the official favorite at a 5-1 price. Still, he has proven to be much better at Phoenix, a track similarly flat to this one. In fact, he has not won at this track since 2003. For his career, he boasts two New Hampshire wins and an average finish of 9.5. He has been better than that in the COT, averaging a series best 5.8 finish with 215 laps led in six races. Denny Hamlin (13-2) also excels on flat tracks, and his record at New Hampshire is indicative: a win and six top-10s in eight starts. His other two finishes were 15th. His 7.5 average finish is tops among drivers with more than one start. Kyle Busch (8-1) figures to also be a threat, having scored a pair of Top 5’s at Loudon a year ago.

Beyond those Top 3, the other drivers expected to contend are Tony Stewart (10-1), Kevin Harvick (14-1), and Clint Bowyer (18-1). Stewart has led a series high 264 laps in the six races run in the new car since 2007. In fact, in his last 10 starts he has led nearly 25 percent of laps run (697). Overall at Loudon, he has two wins and 11 top-fives in 22 starts. And again he is on the move in the standings. Only Johnson's 4.0 average finish the past three weeks is better than Stewart's 5.7. Harvick, the series leader, has a win and nine top-10s in 18 starts at NMHS but has only one top-10 in his past five starts. He had his worst year at Loudon last year with finishes of 34th and 32nd. But this year has been nothing like last year. Expect much better from Harvick on Sunday. Clint Bowyer has one of his two Cup wins at Loudon (September 2007), and he has led 222 laps in the last six races here.

There are a few top drivers that you may want to avoid this weekend, including Matt Kenseth (16-1), Jeff Gordon (15-2), Mark Martin (15-1), and Kurt Busch (11-2). Kenseth is now working with his third crew chief of the season. Todd Parrott is out and Jimmy Fennig is in. He has been sputtering lately, dropping from third to seventh in the standings in the past three races and is winless at Loudon with 11 top-10s in 20 starts. Gordon admittedly roughed up a few drivers last week at Sonoma by driving out-of-character. Those on the receiving end were not shy about their disapproval and could be seeking payback on this tight oval. He was second here a year ago, and if he can stay up front, perhaps he can avoid any wrinkles. Martin actually won here in September but seems so far from winning right now that even his 15-1 price doesn’t hold enough value. Finally, Busch has been hot lately, but isn’t even among the Top 10 drivers in the series at NMHS on loop data over the last three years. The drivers with the ugliest average finishes at Loudon in the six COT races are Kasey Kahne (35-1) at 22.3 and Jamie McMurray (50-1) at 26.3.

The Lenox Industrial Tools 301 continues a six-race summer stretch of immensely varying track types. Sandwiched between last Sunday’s road course event, and the 4th of July holiday weekend Superspeedway race in Daytona, the flat track at NHIS offers a unique change, since it is requires an entirely different car setup and strategy to win. This week’s race should offer up a nice preview of what’s to come in Race #1 of the Chase in September. The weekend schedule gets started with qualifying at 3:10 PM ET on Friday. The last four winners at this track have started 9th or worse and overall, only seven of the previous 30 races have been won from the first two rows. In fact, nearly as many (five) have won from outside the Top 25 starting spots. Happy Hour speed has proven more important, with the last 10 winners placing 14th or better in final practice, averaging 7.3. Still, the teams that win here get it dialed in on Sunday by finding the best recipe for what the weather and track conditions bring. The green flag for Sunday’s race is scheduled to drop some time around 1:15 PM ET on Sunday on TNT. As always, the StatFox NASCAR FoxSheet, Matchup Analyzer, and In-depth Driver Pages are available to help in your handicapping of the race…

Driver Handicaps: New Hampshire
RacingOne.com

This weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for Sunday's Lenox Industrial Tools 301. To help you make your fantasy racing picks, Motor Racing Network brings you our weekly detailed look at some of the field for the 300-lap event.

Who's HOT at New Hampshire
• Denny Hamlin leads all drivers with multiple starts with an 7.5 average finish.
• Tony Stewart has two wins and six finishes of eighth or better in his last 10 starts.
• Two-time winner Jimmie Johnson leads all drivers with a 5.8 average finish in the six races with the COT.
• Jeff Gordon leads all drivers in top fives (13), top 10s (16) and laps led (1,205).
• 2008 June race winner Kurt Busch has posted an average finish of 4.0 in his last four starts.
• Mark Martin is coming off his first win in 26 starts.
• Jeff Burton leads all drivers with four wins.
• 2005 June winner Kyle Busch finished in the top 10 in both races in 2009.
• Greg Biffle has one win and two top 10s in last three starts.

Keep an Eye on at New Hampshire
• Joey Logano is the defending New Hampshire race winner.
• Juan Pablo Montoya will be back in the same car that won the pole, led 105 laps, and finished third at New Hampshire last September.
• Brad Keselowski finished sixth in his only Sprint Cup start at New Hampshire.
• Martin Truex Jr. has four top 10s with the COT at New Hampshire.
• Ryan Newman will return in the same car that won at Phoenix in April.
• Clint Bowyer and Dale Earnhardt Jr. each have led more than 175 laps with the COT at New Hampshire.
• Points leader Kevin Harvick has one win and an average finish of 14.8 in 18 starts at New Hampshire.

Top 30 Driver Notes - Ordered by current standings

(All stats/notes are in regards to New Hampshire Motor Speedway unless noted)

1. Kevin Harvick: 19.2 average finish in the six races with the COT; Last of nine top 10s came in this event in 2007; Won the 2006 September race from the pole; Will race the same car (chassis No. 304) that most recently finished third at Richmond.

2. Jimmie Johnson: Two-time winner; Has finished ninth or better in last six starts; Led 93 laps and finished ninth in this event last year; 5.8 average finish in the six races with the COT leads all drivers; Will be back in the same car (chassis No. 540) that finished 10th at Richmond in May.

3. Kyle Busch: Finished in the top 10 in both races in 2009; 14.3 average finish in the six races with the COT; Won the 2005 June race with Hendrick Motorsports.

4. Denny Hamlin: Leads all drivers with two or more starts with a 7.5 average finish; Won the 2007 July race after leading 46 laps; 8.3 average finish in the six races with the COT; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 256) that finished third at Phoenix last November.

5. Jeff Gordon: Three-time race and pole winner; Led 64 laps and finished second in this event last year; 7.7 average finish in the six races with the COT.

6. Kurt Busch: 4.0 average finish in last four starts; Scored third win in the 2008 June race; Combined to lead 61 laps in 2009; Tested at Milwaukee in preparation for Sunday's race; Will be behind the wheel of the same car (chassis No. 701) that finished eighth at Auto Club last October.

7. Matt Kenseth: 19.8 average finish in the six races with the COT; Last of 11 top 10s came in the 2007 September race; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 645) that finished 13th at Richmond in May.

8. Jeff Burton: Four-time winner; Led every lap in this event in 2000; All wins came with Roush Racing; Has posted a 12.8 average finish in 11 starts with Richard Childress Racing; Will race the same car (chassis No. 280) that most recently finished fourth at Richmond in May.

9. Greg Biffle: Winner of the 2008 September race; Victory was one of six top 10s in 15 starts; 15.5 average finish in the six races with the COT; Bringing Chassis No. 634 that was last raced to 22nd at Phoenix.

10. Tony Stewart: Two-time winner; Finished fifth in first track start with Stewart-Haas Racing in this event last year; Has led the most laps (264) in the six races with the COT; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 587) that finished 26th at Martinsville; This car was tested at Milwaukee in preparation for Sunday's race.

11. Mark Martin: Coming off first win in 26 starts; Finished 14th in this event last year in first track start with Hendrick Motorsports; Posted 13 top 10s in previous 24 starts with Roush Racing; Will be back in the same car (chassis No. 588) that finished fourth at Phoenix in April.

12. Carl Edwards: 13.5 average finish in the six races with the COT; Led 61 laps and finished third in the 2008 fall race; Best finish (second) came in the 2006 July race; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 647) that finished seventh at Phoenix in April.

13. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: 19.3 average finish in four starts with Hendrick Motorsports; Led 79 laps and finished fifth in the 2008 fall race; Seven previous top 10s came with Dale Earnhardt, Inc; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 589) in the Lenox Industrial Tools 301.

14. Clint Bowyer: Coming off second top 10 in eight starts; Won the 2007 September event after leading 222 laps; Finished 20th in this event last year; Will race the same car (chassis No. 303) that finished seventh in the Coca-Cola 600 in May.

15. Ryan Newman: Coming off 10th top 10 in 16 starts; Finished 29th in first track start with Stewart-Haas in this event last year; Captured two wins and nine top 10s in previous 14 track starts with Penske Racing; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 536) that won at Phoenix in April.

16. Jamie McMurray: No top 10s in last 10 starts; Three top 10s came with Ganassi Racing in 2003 and 2004; Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 1008) that finished 24th at Phoenix in April.

17. Joey Logano: Won first career Sprint Cup race in this event last year; 18.0 average finish in three starts; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 271) in the Lenox Industrial Tools 301.

18. Kasey Kahne: Finished 10th in this event last year; Finish was fifth top 10 in 12 starts; Has not led a lap in the last nine races.

19. Martin Truex Jr.: Finished 37th in this event last year after a crash took him out of contention; Finish ended a streak of four consecutive top 10s; Will make first track start with Michael Waltrip Racing.

20. Juan Pablo Montoya: Coming off first top 10 in six starts after finishing third from the pole; Led a race-high 105 laps in that event; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 907) that he raced last September at New Hampshire.

21. David Reutimann: Has finished in the top 20 in last four starts at track, including a best fourth in this event last year.

22. AJ Allmendinger: Posted best finish of 25th in five starts at track last fall; 34.2 average finish; Bringing same car (Chassis No. 289) that was raced at Las Vegas (25th) and Richmond (17th) this year.

23. Paul Menard: Has yet to finish inside the top 20 in six starts; 29.5 average finish; Piloting same chassis (No. 619) that he finished 14th with at Martinsville.

24. Brad Keselowski: Finished sixth in track debut in this event last year for only start at track; Bringing Chassis PRS-716, which will see its second race after finishing 16th at Phoenix.

25. David Ragan: Finished a track best (15th) in debut in 2007; 28.8 average finish in six starts; Piloting chassis RK-635 which was last run at Richmond to a 24th-place finish.

26. Scott Speed: Finished 36th and 31st last year due to on-track incidents in only two starts.

27. Marcos Ambrose: 21.5 average finish in two starts; Led two laps last fall en route to a 20th-place finish.

28. Elliott Sadler: Coming off eighth-place finish in fall race last year; Has six top 10s in 22 starts with an average finish of 20.9; Bringing Chassis No. 270; This chassis was used this season at both Martinsville (24th) and Richmond (38th).

29. Sam Hornish Jr.: Finished eighth in this event last year; Only top-10 finish in four starts; 28.5 average finish.

30. Regan Smith: 29.0 average finish in five starts.

NASCAR Lenox Tools 301: Odds and Matchup Picks
By Greg Engle

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for Sunday’s Lenox Tools 301. The Magic Mile is the site of the first race of the 10 making up the ‘Race to the Chase’ the final races until the field for the Chase for the Sprint Cup is set at Richmond, so look for everyone to turn it up a notch.

Favorites

Kevin Harvick (+1500)

Harvick has been leading the points for a career high 11 weeks, including the last seven straight. He has one win (2006) along with three top five and nine top 10 finishes along with a pole here. He wants to maintain his points lead and do all he can to win and go after the all important 10 bonus points awarded for victories prior to the Chase.

Jimmie Johnson (+450)

Johnson was a surprise winner at Sonoma last week; surprising given that he had never won on a road course before. With the win Johnson vaulted up four spots to second in the points and showed that he’s still very much in the hunt. He’s won twice here, sweeping the events in 2003. He also has five top five and 11 top 10 finishes. As he showed last week, Johnson is a threat no matter where he goes.

Denny Hamlin (+450)

Hamlin has been the driver to beat so far this season. Despite his hiccup last week that left him in 34th, he’s still the series leader in wins with five. He has one win here along with three top five and six top ten finishes. Until someone else steps up to the plate, Hamlin has to be considered among the favorites each and every week.

Others to watch

Jeff Gordon (+700)

Gordon continues to search for the elusive win. He finished fifth last week at Sonoma continuing a string of strong runs. He has three wins here at Loudon along with 13 top five, 16 top 10 and three poles. Although his wins came during the 1990s, Gordon has shown that a win for him could happen any Sunday.

Tony Stewart (+1500)

Stewart has two wins here along with 11 top five, 13 top 10 finishes and a pole. Stewart may not be the strongest car in the field so far this season, but traditionally the summer time is the right time for Stewart and this may just be his week.

Kurt Busch (+1200)

Busch has shown that he is a force to be reckoned with this season. He has two wins so far and has been competitive each and every week. Busch has three wins here along with six top five and nine top 10 finishes; he could be a legitimate contender on Sunday.

Head to head

Dale Earnhardt Jr. vs. Matt Kenseth

Neither driver has won at Loudon, but both have similar records setting up the possibility of a great matchup. Earnhardt has five top five and eight top ten’s, while Kenseth, five top five and 11 top 10 finishes. This will be a close call, but given the decent finishes Earnhardt has displayed the last two races look for him to finish ahead of Kenseth.

Jeff Burton vs. Mark Martin

The battle of the old guys, Burton has four wins here along with eight top five and 13 top 10 finishes while Martin has one win, nine top five and 14 top ten finishes. While Burton may have four wins, he and his Richard Childress Racing team seemed to be missing an element that will allow them to be real contenders. Martin hasn’t exactly set the world on fire this year but he should be able to finish ahead of Burton.

Carl Edwards vs. Greg Biffle

In this matchup of teammates, Edwards has two top five and two top 10 finishes while Biffle has one win, four top five and six top 10s. Biffle may seem to have the edge but I talked to Edwards this week and he seems to think they have something for the field Sunday; edge to Edwards.

Practice Notes - New Hampshire
By Micah Roberts

Top 8 Driver Rating Following All New Hampshire Practice Sessions

Rating Driver Odds Practice 1 Qualifying Practice 2 Practice 3

1 Jimmie Johnson 9/2 2nd 10th 1st 1st

Notes: Using 10th-place Richmond chassis; Best average speeds during Saturday practices.

2 Kyle Busch 7/1 8th 22nd 2nd 3rd

Notes:Won 2006 NHMS race; Won at Richmond, a track that requires similar set-up.

3 Jeff Gordon 7/1 6th 16th 7th 4th

Notes: Three-time NHMS winner; average finish of 11.4. Finished runner-up at Richmond and Phoenix.

4 Ryan Newman 35/1 5th 5th 3rd 25th

Notes:Using same chassis that won at Phoenix; two-time winner at NHMS with average finish of 13.8.

5 Jeff Burton 15/1 9th 17th 9th 2nd

Notes:All-time track leader with four wins. Using same chassis that finished fourth at Richmond.

6 Kurt Busch 12/1 3rd 3rd 8th 9th

Notes:Three-time NHMS winner with last coming in 2008. Using Fontana chassis this week.

7 Juan Pablo Montoya 20/1 1st 1st 12th 8th

Notes:Using third-place chassis from 2009 NHMS fall race. Finished fifth and sixth at Phoenix and Richmond.

8 Tony Stewart 15/1 4th 25th 15th 5th

Notes: Had one of his best practices of the year. Using chassis that recently tested well at flat Milwaukee Mile.

Note: New Hampshire’s flat one-mile layout requires a similar set-up to Phoenix and Richmond.