New Hampshire Race Report

FINAL RESULTS:
1. Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet
2. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
3. Tony Stewart, Chevrolet
4. Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
5. Martin Truex, Jr., Chevrolet
22. Bobby Labonte, #43 Cheerios/Trix, Lucky and Friends Dodge
37. Kyle Petty, #45 Victory Junction Gang Camp Dodge

OVERVIEW:

Last season, Bobby Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team played the ‘spoiler’ role in the chase. Labonte scored numerous top-10 and top-five finishes, stealing the spotlight away from the chase drivers. The team is hoping to repeat that again this year and Sunday’s race was the first opportunity.

Labonte started the day in the 26th position and fought with grip immediately. NASCAR called for a mandatory competition caution on lap 35 after Saturday’s final practice sessions were cancelled due to rain. Crew Chief Doug Randolph took the opportunity to make a wedge adjustment to help Labonte. Labonte continued to race in the top-25, but struggled to advance on a track where track position is critical. Labonte’s car was as fast as the top-10 drivers, but passing is one of the hardest things to do at New Hampshire. A long run helped Labonte move up to the 10th spot as teams were pitting. Labonte settled just inside the top-20 in the final stages of the race. The track became cooler and the handling again went away on the car. Labonte held on to finish 22nd. The team remains 17th in championship points.

“The car went away at the end,” said Labonte. “The track was changing and we were trying to get it better. We weren’t bad on that log run in the middle of the race. The car wasn’t bad, but later in the day we lost the handling as the temperature dropped.”

Clint Bowyer dominated Sunday’s 300-lap race at the New Hampshire International Speedway to claim his first career victory. For Bowyer, it was a highlight weekend. He won the pole on Friday, led the most laps on Sunday, won his first race and moved to fourth in championship points.

Sunday’s race was the first in the 10-race championship ‘chase’. The top 12 teams had their points reset to 5,000 after last weekend’s race in Richmond. Each driver in the top 12 who won a race was awarded with 10 bonus points for each win. Jimmie Johnson came into the event with the points lead. His sixth place finish helped him stay in top spot, but he’s not alone. Jeff Gordon sits atop alongside after his second place finish on Sunday. Bowyer made the biggest leap with his victory. Bower made the race look easy after leading over 200 laps on Sunday. He was never challenged for the lead in the closing laps. The top five finishers in Sunday’s race are championship contenders.

Kyle Petty and the #45 Victory Junction Gang Camp Dodge finished 37th in Sunday’s race. Petty started the afternoon in 41st. The tough elements of passing at New Hampshire made it difficult for Petty to advance early. The car was fast as it turned in consistent top-20 speeds. Petty, however, went one lap down early and it was difficult to regain the track position. Petty was in position for the ‘lucky dog’ early, but the caution flag never came at the right time. Petty finished 37th and remains 34th in owner points heading into Dover.

The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series heads to the one-mile Dover International Speedway for Sunday’s Dodge Dealers 400. The race will be televised live by ABC and broadcast on MRN Radio.