Sound Off: New Hampshire
Have Your Say
Who has the edge at New Hampshire to kick off the Chase?
With championship points reset NASCAR heads to New Hampshire for the Sylvania 300 in the first of ten races. Points are on the line – Kyle Busch could find himself mid-pack at the blink of an eye. Tony Stewart or Dale Earnhardt Jr or Matt Kenseth – or any one of the 12 Chase drivers — could come away scrapping for the points lead.
When asked about his goal for the Chase Dale Earnhardt Jr summed it up nicely: “Win as many races as I can, and win the championship. I’d love to win the championship walking away. You know, go into Homestead with it clinched already.”
In 2004 Kurt Busch won this race, paving the way to the Championship he would win by the time Homestead was over.
Jimmie Johnson suddenly shows momentum heading into the Chase. “I’m trying to show up scared, worried about 11 other guys, and worry about doing my part,” 2 time champion Jimmie Johnson said. “And the thing is I have confidence in what my abilities are and what my team is capable of and the packages we have put together in the last five or six months. Short track, big track, all of it.”
Besides all the Chase drama, Joey Logano will make his Cup debut Sunday at New Hampshire — as a warm up to next season when he will replace Tony Stewart in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
So who do you think has the edge – for the race and the championship?
Quick Race Facts
The Race: Sylvania 300
The Place: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
The Date: Sunday, Sept. 14
The Time: 2 p.m. (ET)
The Track: 1.058-mile oval
The Distance: 317.4 miles300 laps
TV: ABC, pre-race @ 1 p.m. (ET)
Radio: PRN, SIRIUS Satellite
2007 Winner: Clint Bowyer
2007 Polesitter: Clint Bowyer