This Weekend in NASCAR – New Hampshire Storylines

Two of NASCAR’s three national series are in action this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with the XFINITY Series race on Saturday and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is off until next Wednesday at Eldora Speedway. Storylines for this weekend follow…

The Race: Overton’s 301
The Place: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
The Date: Sunday, July 16
The Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: NBCSN, 2:30 p.m. ET
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 318.46 miles (301 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 75), Stage 2 (Ends on lap 150), Final Stage (Ends on lap 301)

Tried And Truex: No. 78 Toyota Driver Goes For Second Straight Win Following Dominant Kentucky Performance

Martin Truex Jr. was the class of the field at Kentucky, leading a race-high 152 laps and winning every stage on his way to Victory Lane. He is now tied with Jimmie Johnson for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series wins lead with three. Truex leads second-place Kyle Larson in the points standings by 34 points.

With the two stage wins and victory at Kentucky, Truex increased his playoff point total to 28 – 12 points better than the next-best competitor (Johnson).

The No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota driver will attempt to earn his second consecutive win in Sunday’s Overton’s 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (3 p.m. ET on NBCSN, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). In 22 starts at the Magic Mile, Truex has no wins, three top fives, eight top 10s and a 13.7 average finish.

Statistically, Truex has been the most dominant driver in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this season. In addition to being tied for the wins lead, he ranks first in average running positon (8.3), fastest laps (626), laps led (1,115, 21.4%) and driver rating (105.9).

Joe Gibbs Racing Still Searching For First Win

One year after winning a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series-high 12 races, Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to have a driver visit Victory Lane this season.

Based on history, there’s a strong chance that win comes in Sunday’s Overton’s 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

JGR’s Matt Kenseth is the defending race winner. In 34 starts at the 1.058-mile track, he boasts three victories, 10 top fives 19 top 10s and a 12.0 average finish (fourth in the series).

Kyle Busch boasts two wins, nine top fives, 13 top 10s and a 13.8 average finish in 24 starts at New Hampshire. His 98.1 driver rating ranks fourth-best at the New England track.

Denny Hamlin is the third JGR driver who’s visited Victory Lane at New Hampshire. In 22 starts there, he claims two wins, eight top fives, 13 top 10s and a 10.4 average finish (second in the series). He boasts the top driver rating 102.7 and the second-best average running position (11.1).

Daniel Suarez rounds out the effort for JGR. On Sunday, he’ll make his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series track debut at New Hampshire. He finished in the top five in his two NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the Magic Mile.

JGR has won three of the last four races at New Hampshire with Kenseth (fall 2015, spring 2016) and Busch (spring 2015).

Larson Sits In Second, Continues To Race Like Title Contender

Kyle Larson notched his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series-best sixth runner-up finish of the season, yet trails Martin Truex Jr. by 34 points in the standings.

Competing in his fourth full-time season, Larson has proven he’s a bona fide championship contender. Through 18 races, he owns two wins, eight top fives, 11 top 10s and a series-best 9.8 average finish. His 13 playoff points are tied for third-most in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

The No. 42 Chevrolet driver will attempt to cut into Truex Jr.’s points lead in Sunday’s Overton’s 300 at New Hampshire. In six starts at the Magic Mile, Larson has two top fives, three top 10s, a 13.3 average finish and a high showing of second (fall 2014).

Lurking In The Grass: Quietly Consistent Elliott Eyes First Win

Most pundits expected Chase Elliott to get his first win by now. Although that hasn’t happened yet, the 21-year-old Chevrolet driver has quietly secured five top-eight finishes in his last six starts.

That elusive victory should come soon for Elliott, who ranks fifth in the Monster Energy points standings and owns two playoff points via his two stage wins this season.

Coming off a third-place finish at Kentucky, Elliott eyes Victory Lane at New Hampshire where he finished 34th (July) and 13th (September) last season.

Halfway Point: Eight Races Left For Drivers To Earn Postseason Berths

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series has reached its halfway point. The first half has featured three first-time winners, parity, youngsters giving fans a glimpse into the sport’s future, dominant performances from some familiar faces and the enhanced racing format elevating the competition.

Eight races remain for drivers to earn berths in NASCAR’s playoffs.

The following drivers would get in if the season ended today: Martin Truex Jr. (three, 28 playoff points), Jimmie Johnson (three wins, 16), Kyle Larson (two, 13), Brad Keselowski (two, 13), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (two, 10), Kevin Harvick (one, eight), Ryan Blaney (one, eight), Kurt Busch (one, five), Ryan Newman (one, five), Austin Dillon (one, five), Kyle Busch (138 points above Joey Logano on the cutoff line, four playoff points), Chase Elliott (+89, two), Jamie McMurray (+74), Denny Hamlin (+67, 2), Clint Bowyer (+24), Matt Kenseth (+7, two).

The first four out would be: Logano (seven points below Matt Kenseth on the cutoff line), Erik Jones (-52), Daniel Suarez (-98) and Trevor Bayne (-119).

Remember, a win gets a driver into the playoffs. Below is a list of winless drivers who have visited Victory Lane at upcoming tracks:

New Hampshire: Ky. Busch, Kenseth, Bowyer, Hamlin, Kasey Kahne

Indianapolis: Ky. Busch, McMurray, Paul Menard

Pocono: Hamlin, Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kahne, Chris Buescher

Watkins Glen: Hamlin, Ky. Busch, AJ Allmendinger

Michigan: Ky. Busch, Hamlin, Earnhardt Jr., Kenseth, Kahne

Bristol: Ky. Busch, Hamlin, Kenseth, Earnhardt Jr., Kahne

Darlington: Ky. Busch, Hamlin, Kenseth

Richmond: Ky. Busch, Hamlin, Kenseth, Bowyer, Earnhardt Jr., Kahne

Almirola Returns To No. 43 Ford

Two months after injuring his back in an incident at Kansas Speedway, Aric Almirola returns to pilot the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford this weekend at New Hampshire.

Almirola was cleared to race again after driving in a private test session Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. At the test session he obtained clearance to return to competition from medical personal and NASCAR officials.

In 11 starts this season, Almirola has two top fives, three top 10s and a 17.3 average finish.

“It felt great to be back in the race car yesterday,” Almirola said. “After racing in the Monster Energy Series for five and a half years, it got to be routine, and I took it for granted. When something gets taken away from you at a moment’s notice like that, it has certainly made me appreciate my passion for racing and my desire to compete at this level. The thrill of running 200 miles per hour in a stock car was something that I had honestly lost a little bit. After being out of the car for eight weeks, the passion is back, now more than ever.”

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

New England Patriots Super Bowl Champion Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels To Serve As Official Pace Car Driver: New England Patriots Super Bowl Champion Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels will serve as the official pace car driver for the Overton’s 301 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

“I enjoy NASCAR and love coming up to New Hampshire Motor Speedway whenever I get a chance,” McDaniels said. “Driving the pace car to start the race is about as exciting as it gets. I know we have had players at the Patriots take a turn in the pace car, and I heard how much they enjoyed the experience. I look forward to my chance to do it. It will be fun to spend the day at the track.”

McDaniels is the second member of the Patriots organization to have an enhanced presence at the track this season. Monster Energy athlete/Patriots All-Pro Tight End Rob Gronkowski participated in the DAYTONA 500 festivities and even celebrated with Kurt Busch in Victory Lane.

The Race: Overton’s 200
The Place: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
The Date: Saturday, July 15
The Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: NBCSN, 3:30 p.m. ET
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 211.6 miles (200 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 45), Stage 2 (Ends on lap 90), Final Stage (Ends on lap 200)

NHMS Six Pack: Series Record Of Five Consecutive Wins From The Pole Could Be Extended To Six

New Hampshire Motor Speedway will set the stage for the Overton’s 200 this Saturday, July 15 (4 p.m. ET on NBCSN, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) and offers the chance for NASCAR XFINITY Series competitors to extend the series record of five consecutive wins at the track from the Coors Light Pole to six.

The streak of wins from the pole at New Hampshire began in 2012, when Brad Keselowski pulled into Victory Lane after leading 131 of 200 laps. The next four series races at NHMS followed suit, Kyle Busch won from the pole after leading 141 laps in 2013, then Brad Keselowski won again from the pole in 2014 after leading 152 laps. The third driver to win from the pole at New Hampshire was Denny Hamlin after leading 145 of the 200 laps in 2015. But it was Kyle Busch’s dominant win last season from the Coors Light Pole leading 190 of 200 laps (95%) that set the new series record of five consecutive wins from the pole at one track.

The previous record for consecutive NASCAR XFINITY Series wins from the pole at one track was four; held by Rockingham Speedway (1982-1984) – David Pearson (’82), Dale Earnhardt (’83), Sam Ard (Mar. ’84) and Geoff Bodine (Oct. ’84).

Two of three drivers who have contributed to the current streak are entered this weekend. The series leader in poles (four) at New Hampshire, Brad Keselowski, will be in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, and the series wins leader at New Hampshire (five), Kyle Busch, will be in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.

New Hampshire And The NASCAR XFINITY Series

The Overton’s 200 this Saturday, July 15 (4 p.m. ET on NBCSN, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), will be the 31st time the NASCAR XFINITY Series has competed in the state of New Hampshire – all at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The very first NASCAR XFINITY Series race held at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was on July 15, 1990, and the event was won by Tommy Ellis (Buick) after leading 89 laps.

A total of 18 different drivers have won NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light poles at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, led by Brad Keselowski with four.

A total of 25 different drivers have won the NASCAR XFINITY Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, led by Kyle Busch with five victories.

Kyle Busch holds both the series qualifying record (131.916 mph, 07/13/2013) and the race record (111.925 mph 06/27/2009) at NHMS.

A total of 15 drivers who have made at least one start in a NASCAR national series event have their home state recorded as New Hampshire. Of the 15 New Hampshire drivers, 11 made at least one start in the NASCAR XFINITY Series; led by Jamie Aube with 46 series starts. Aube is the only driver from New Hampshire to win a NASCAR national series race. Aube, from Bow, New Hampshire, won at Oxford Plains Speedway on July 12, 1987, in an Oldsmobile.

There are currently no active drivers from the state of New Hampshire competing this weekend.

Milestones

Kyle Busch will attempt to record his 175th NASCAR national series victory (MENCS 38, NXS 88, NCWTS 48) this weekend at NHMS – second-most all-time behind Richard Petty’s 200.

Double-Duty Drivers

Five Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers are entered in the Overton’s 200 this weekend, and will be pulling double duty – Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Reed Sorenson, Ty Dillon and Kyle Larson.

Next Race: Eldora Dirt Derby
The Place: Eldora Speedway
The Date: Wednesday, July 19
The Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
TV: FOX Business, 9 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 75 miles (150 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 40), Stage 2 (Ends on lap 90), Final Stage (Ends on lap 150)

source – NASCAR communications