New Hampshire 301
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
By Richard Tix
It's almost race weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. That means we are already through 18 week's and have just eight more races to go before the 2016 Chase. We know guys like Brad Keselowski (4 wins), Kyle Busch (3 wins), Jimmie Johnson, and Carl Edwards (both 2 wins) are in. Plus, everyone else with a win should be a lock (even Tony Stewart should stick in at least 30th place in points).
However, with the last eight races approaching quickly the last five spots are going to start taking shape.
Chase Elliott is the first guy in the points standings without a win. He has 492 points and currently sits 8th overall in front of 2016 winners like Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth. He is almost a lock to get the top non points spot (if he doesn't win) as he has a 29 point lead on the next highest non win driver and that's after a few tough races in a row.
Ryan Newman is the next guy up in the points Chase (or fight for a win to get in). He has been his usual self in this Chase Era that started in 2014. Knocking off consistent finishes to constantly be hanging around in the points. At 463 points he only has a two point cushion on Dale Earnhardt Jr and three points on Austin Dillon.
Those three have the safest spot to make it without a win (assuming Chase Elliott is already locked in on points), but one or two back races can really hurt your spot in the standings if others take advantage. After Dillon their is a 21 point gap until Jamie McMurray who hasn't been all that consistent this season and holds the final spot as of now.
The shocking part is Trevor Bayne is only 10 points behind JMac and the 16th spot. Now, understand that as soon as a driver not ahead of them in the standing's wins they will automatically get pushed farther down (think AJ Allmendinger at Watkins Glen).
So, will the points bubble get smaller this weekend? Most likely a driver with a win in 2016 will win the New Hampshire 301 (Keselowski, Kyle Busch, or maybe Kenseth?). But, don't count out Larson, Newman, and Dillon who have all had some success here.
However, with the last eight races approaching quickly the last five spots are going to start taking shape.
Chase Elliott is the first guy in the points standings without a win. He has 492 points and currently sits 8th overall in front of 2016 winners like Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth. He is almost a lock to get the top non points spot (if he doesn't win) as he has a 29 point lead on the next highest non win driver and that's after a few tough races in a row.
Ryan Newman is the next guy up in the points Chase (or fight for a win to get in). He has been his usual self in this Chase Era that started in 2014. Knocking off consistent finishes to constantly be hanging around in the points. At 463 points he only has a two point cushion on Dale Earnhardt Jr and three points on Austin Dillon.
Those three have the safest spot to make it without a win (assuming Chase Elliott is already locked in on points), but one or two back races can really hurt your spot in the standings if others take advantage. After Dillon their is a 21 point gap until Jamie McMurray who hasn't been all that consistent this season and holds the final spot as of now.
The shocking part is Trevor Bayne is only 10 points behind JMac and the 16th spot. Now, understand that as soon as a driver not ahead of them in the standing's wins they will automatically get pushed farther down (think AJ Allmendinger at Watkins Glen).
So, will the points bubble get smaller this weekend? Most likely a driver with a win in 2016 will win the New Hampshire 301 (Keselowski, Kyle Busch, or maybe Kenseth?). But, don't count out Larson, Newman, and Dillon who have all had some success here.
**This section is just a quick look at some of Cup drivers latest finishes. This is not a tool for fantasy purposes and NBTW only is looking at end results. No deep statistic's are involved, but rather it is just a quick way to get ready for the race and get caught up on who has finished well at each track**
The Good
- Brad Keselowski- BK has been one of the most consistent drivers at NHMS for a few year now. He has lead at least one lap in nine straight races. He also has lead at least one lap in ten of his thirteen career starts here.
- Matt Kenseth- Kenseth won the second race here in 2015 and also had a top 10 the first time around. His average finish of 12.5 is good for fourth best among active drivers.
- Jimmie Johnson- JJ hasn't won here since 2010, but he still has 19 top 10's, 10 top 5's and 3 wins in his 28 career NHMS starts. He does have six top 10's in his last eight races here.
The Middle
- Denny Hamlin- Hamlin can be really good here (two wins and seven top 3 finishes). He also can have some average runs (only two top 10's in the last six races here).
The Bad
- Danica Patrick- Im giving Danica the biggest break of the three because she only has 6 career starts here, but those six still hasn't been great. Only one top 20 and three top 25's in those same six races for Danica.
- Paul Menard- Zero top 10's in 18 career NHMS starts says it all. Only three top 15's and seven top 20's in that same stretch make matters worse.
- Jamie McMurray- His last six at NHMS has been better (mixed in two top 5's), however he only has six top 10's and four top 5's in 26 career starts.
About the Track NHMS
Track Stats
- Rusty Wallace won the first race at Loudon in 1993. He started 33rd
- Most cautions was the second race at Loudon, 1994, 17 for 78 laps. Ricky Rudd won the race
- In 1999 Jeff Burton won after starting 38th (farthest back a winner has started)
- A Cup race at Loudon has been won from the Pole position five times (Newman-2011, Clint Bowyer-2007, Kevin Harvick-2006, Newman-2002, and Jeff Gordon-1998)
- Ryan Newman has won the Pole at Loudon an astounding 7 times in his 26 starts
- 4 current full time drivers have 3 total wins at Loudon (Newman, Johnson, Stewart, and Ku Busch)
- A Chevy has not won a race at Loudon in 7 straight starts
- Jeff Burton has the most career wins at Loudon (4)
- Jeff Gordon has the most career top 5's (16) and top 10's (23).
Track Info
- Surface- Asphalt and Granite
- Length- 1.058 miles
- Banking
- Turns- variable, about 12% grade
- Straight- 1 degree
