New Hampshire 301
Loudon, NH | Sunday, July 17, 2016
1:30 PM ET | LIVE: NBCSN
2015 Winner: Kyle Busch
Kentucky Recap-
Its another VICTORY MONDAY for the Dick Trickle fantasy team, and its another victory for Brad Keselowski and the 2 crew. The new racing surface provided for hold on to your seats racing, and at the end fuel mileage prevailed. BK led 75 laps enroute to his 2nd consecutive victory, and needed every gallon of fuel. Coming to the white flag, the 2 car slowed off Turn 4 with Carl Edwards pulling right up to his back bumper, lucky for Brad the car fired back up and he accelerated to the win. Carl Edwards would finish 2nd, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart rounded out the top 5. Strong runs by Greg Biffle (6th) and Jamie McMurray (7th) were good signs to come for those teams. The two drivers that dominated early Kevin Harvick (led a race high 128 laps) finished 9th and Martin Truex Jr. overcame a late race penalty on pit road to round out the top 10.
It was a different story for the excellent young rookie Chase Elliot and Ryan Blaney. On an early restart, Blaney got loose and got into Chase sending both of them backing into the wall ruining both their days. At the time, Blaney had been running well inside the top 5 and Chase Elliot in the top 10. I said a few weeks ago, we will see what will happen with these guys as we get into the dog days of summer. Elliot continues to hold a good margin inside the top 16 in points, as for Blaney he is on the outside looking in and will need to run well these last few races before Richmond or get a win to make the Chase.
6 time champ Jimmie Johnson wrecked early (32nd), and Michigan winner Joey Logano also wrecked and finished 39th.
Jimmie Johnson wreck
Joey Logano slaps the wall
This week, we head to Loudon, New Hampshire for the New Hampshire 301. A flat short track, that could possibly end the same way as Kentucky in a fuel mileage battle. The early favorite is Brad Keselowski, can he win his 3rd in a row? Or will Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart have something to say for that. We find out in my picks for this weekends race in New England.
Kentucky Bright shiny star award- Brad Keselowski
Mr. Kentucky or My Kentucky Home? His 3rd cup win at Kentucky puts him ahead of Kyle Busch. He is now .500 at Kentucky.
Kentucky SURPRISE! Award- Rookies wreck-fest (Blaney/Elliot)
Kentucky Wreck(s) of the race- Multi-car wreck, Truck on fire?
Gal-Dangger how we gunna get home now?
Group A-
Matt Kenseth
Kenseth won the fall race here last season, also has another win (2013). Since joining JGR in 2013, Matt has finished in the top 10 in every race with the exception of the fall race in 2014 (21st). Ran well last weekend and was in contention till he had to pit late. Look for the 20 car to qualify well and run up front.
Brad Keselowski
He is my way to early prediction to win for New Hampshire. Could we be on the verge of another summer domination like Kyle Busch did last season? There is a very good chance of that, BK finished 13th last fall and 2nd in this race last season. His last win came in the July race of 2014. Has finished in the top 10 in every race since Sept. 2011 except the fall of 2013 and 2015. The July race fits Keselowski, he has finishes of 2nd, 1st, 4th and 5th. Look for BK to flirt with his 3rd in a row.
WE2W4- Jimmie Johnson (3 wins), Kevin Harvick (1 win)
Sleeper- Denny Hamlin (2 wins)
Group B-
Tony Stewart
Smoke is tied amongst 3 active drivers (Newman and JJ) with 3 wins (last win fall 2011) here at Loudon. Finished 11th last fall and 20th last summer. Tony is coming of a top 5 at Kentucky, look for Smoke to continue his Summer Hot Streak.
Ryan Newman
NEEEWMAN! He finished 10th in the 2015 fall race and in this race last season he finished 11th. Last win came in the July race of 2011. Since 2011, he has finishes of 1st, 10th, 39th(accident), 5th and 11th (July Race). He got his first top 5 last week at Kentucky and I believe he gets another this Sunday.
Austin Dillon
AD has only raced here 4 times, but has very good consistent finishes. 22nd last fall and 8th in the summer race, his rookie season he finished 14th and 11th. Having a good quiet summer and is flying under the radar.
Kyle Larson
Larson is the other rookie from the 2014 class that found success early on here at NH. That season the young dirt tracker finished 2nd and 3rd, but as of late hasn't had the good runs (17th and 31st). Look for Larson to get that changed this Sunday.
WE2W4- Carl Edwards, Martin Truex
Sleeper - Kasey Kahne (1 win: 2012)
Group C-
David Ragan and Regan Smith
Last week I changed Ragan for Smith and man that hurt. Smith hit the wall and Ragan went on to finish 22nd to get a decent finish. Ragan has ran well here in the past, but that was for Roush Fenway Racing.
WE2W4- Ryan Blaney (finished 23rd last July)
Sleeper- Chase Elliot (Making his first start)
That's it for this weeks picks, we are now 8 races till Richmond. These next few weeks are really going to tell us who's in and who's out. I'm now up to 5 wins on the season and keep digging every so slow slowly to first in the overall standings. Lets just say, we are dominating like BK.
Thank you to everyone that continues to read this and for the continued support! Thought about posting videos and making this a video blog but I babble to much and get of subject ha. Everyone have a great week and good luck this weekend!
Until Next Time....
God Bless
Booger
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