NASCAR is back in Loudon, New Hamshire this weekend. 43 cars will be fighting for a lobster, while 12 drivers will be clawing for position in Round 2 of The Chase for The Sprint Cup.
The Race and The Place: New Hampshire Motor Speedway will be hosting Round 2 of 10 for the second straight year with the running of the Sylvania 300. Last year, Tony Stewart won his 2nd straight race of the 2011 Chase after Clint Bowyer ran out of fuel with two laps to go. Will fuel strategy come into play this weekend?
Chase Drivers to Watch
- Jeff Gordon Had a horrible finish last weekend that left him 47 points behind the point leader but qualifying on the Coors Light Pole at a track where track position is key, could turn it all around.
- Kasey Kahne Won the July race here after holding off a hard charging Denny Hamlin. He says his team has found more speed this weekend. Might be able to turn that Wild Card birth into a points lead before to long.
- Clint Bowyer Since Clint Bowyer won here for his first Sprint Cup Series victory back in 2007, it seems you always see him up front and in the middle of things when NASCAR comes to Loudon. It's also his favorite track.
- Dale Earhardt Jr. Finished 4th here in July and still searching for his first Chase win since 2004. I think today might come down to fuel milage and might come down to the .88 gallons.
- Brad Keselowski He's been the talk of the media all week. Many call him the David to Jimmie Johnson being Goliath. Will the pressure be to much for him and the Blue Duece?
My Pick: Denny Hamlin He should of won here in July and he did all but guarantee a win last week on twitter. He had a bit of a qualifying miscue that will leave him starting in 32nd but I think the question isn't gonna be can he get up to the front, it will be when.
Thoughts leading up to the Round 2: This ought to be good, it's the shortest race out of all races in The Chase and these cars love to lean on each other here. I really think we might just see a new rivalry pop up today. I just pray it's one that sticks around throughout The Chase. Also, there is a lot of excitement today and just announced last night, we have a sold out crowd.
