New Hampshire Race Report FINAL RESULTS: 1. Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet 2. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet 3. Martin Truex, Jr., Chevrolet 4. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Chevrolet 5. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet 18. Bobby Labonte, #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge 42. John Andretti, #45 Wells Fargo Dodge OVERVIEW: Bobby Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team didn’t let a late race bump from behind spoil their day. Labonte started the afternoon in the 31st starting position, but the team knew they had a better car for the race then qualifying. Labonte was able to methodically pick up positions, never losing ground on the track. Labonte raced easily to the top-25, but climbing into the top-20 became more of a challenge. Labonte and the team tweaked on the handling of the car (air pressure adjustments) and fought the changing track conditions. Labonte was preparing to make his late race move to the front when he was sent spinning- a caution in front of him forced him to check up as the car behind him did not. Labonte was sent into a loop. The car suffered minimal damage, but Labonte was able to keep the car moving. Labonte remained on the lead lap, but had to start as one of the last cars on it. He was able to make another charge and avoided a spinning Kurt Busch on the last lap to finish 18th. Labonte was, again, one of the best Dodge’s on the track- his finish was the second best for Dodge. His 18th place finish moved him up one spot to 17th in points. He is only six points out of 16th and only 69 points out of the top 15. “We were working on the car,” said Labonte. “We had to chase the track and then adjust to that too. It was cooler today. The car was tight, but track position was critical. It’s hard to pass here and it was hard to pass today. We just needed better track position to get a higher finish.” Earlier this season there was much frustration by Joe Gibbs Racing drivers over their lack of a win in the “Car of Tomorrow” events. Deny Hamlin finally ended that frustration on Sunday. Hamlin took two tires on his last pit stop to get the lead. He then held off Jeff Gordon for his first win of the season. Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin had been very competitive in every “Car of Tomorrow” race leading into Sunday’s race. They did not, however, have a victory. Both drivers have led many laps in the previous COT races. Hendrick Motorsports has been dominant with the new car and Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) has shown strength with it by their win at Dover. Both Hendrick and DEI had good runs again on Sunday. Kyle Busch and Martin Truex, Jr. led a majority of the laps, but it was the race off pit road that made the difference. Denny Hamlin took only two tires on the last pit stop to restart first. Truex, Jr. wasn’t able to reel him in, but instead lost his spot to Jeff Gordon. Gordon made a furious charge in the final two laps, but Hamlin and his older tires took in the win. John Andretti and the #45 Wells Fargo Dodge team had a shorter day than wanted on Sunday. Andretti, filling in for Kyle Petty, started right behind Labonte on Sunday in the 40th position. Andretti had plans of following Labonte to the front at the start. He quickly made moves early and looked good. It was then when Andretti got stuck behind a part-time rookie in the series. Andretti was clearly faster, but the young driver did not allow Andretti to go by. The first pit stop the team made some minor adjustments to help Andretti’s battle. NASCAR officials then made the team come down pit road for a speeding penalty off pit road. A tough call, the team was eager to get back on the lead lap. Crew Chief Billy Wilburn called for only two tires on the next pit stop to help with track position. It looked like the plan was going to work, but engine failure ended the team’s day after 109 laps. Andretti finished 42nd. “It’s disappointing for everyone on the Wells Fargo team,” said Andretti. “We got stuck behind a car for a ‘trillion’ laps. If the driver that is normally in there was in it, that wouldn’t have happened. We were faster than that. We got a little behind, but Billy (Wilburn) made a good call to give us a chance to get back on the lead lap. Something broke in the engine and ended the day for us.” The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series heads to the 2.5-mie Daytona International Speedway for Saturday night’s Daytona 400. The race will be televised live by TNT, with no commercials, and broadcast on MRN Radio.