Joe Gibbs Racing Will Continue Its Dominance

New Hampshire International Speedway -- 06/29/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Friday Jun 27 2008 1:31pm

Kyle Busch captured his series-high fifth victory of the 2008 Sprint Cup season last weekend at Sonoma. The win on the 1.99-mile road course added to Busch’s portfolio of wins. Busch’s teammate Denny Hamlin appeared to have a fast car as well, but two on-track incidents relegated him to a 27th place showing. Hamlin is the defending winner and one of the favorites this weekend for the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire.

Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, and Kevin Harvick are still searching for that elusive first win of the season. They may have to wait another week.

1. 11-Denny Hamlin: 7-1 nascar odds

Some experts say that New Hampshire Motor Speedway and its traits are a combination of Phoenix, Richmond, and Martinsville. Well, Denny Hamlin won at Martinsville, led over 95 percent of the laps at Richmond, and finished third at Phoenix. It is safe to say that Denny Hamlin is a solid bet for this weekend’s race. Ever since Hamlin began competing at the Sprint Cup level, his strength has been the short and flat tracks. New Hampshire definitely fits that description. Hamlin is the defending winner of this race.

He has one victory in four career starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

2. 48-Jimmie Johnson: 7-1 nascar odds

Jimmie Johnson won at Phoenix back in April. Like Phoenix, New Hamsphire is a 1-mile (1.058-mile to be precise) oval that has relatively flat banking. Most drivers that excel at Phoenix excel at New Hampshire. Johnson has not been the dominant driver he was a year ago, but he has been consistent, and has maintained a spot in the top twelve. He should have another solid weekend in New Hampshire, possibly his second win of the season. Last year, Johnson finished in the fifth position after qualifying tenth.

In twelve career starts at New Hampshire, Jimmie Johnson has two victories. He swept the races at New Hampshire in 2003.

3. 18-Kyle Busch: 5-1 nascar odds

Really, would surprise anyone of Kyle Busch wins his sixth race of the year at New Hampshire this weekendΔ He won this race two years ago, but he was driving for Hendrick Motorsports, and it was during the pre-COT days. Still, Busch has proven that he can win in anything that requires a steering wheel and four wheels. Perhaps he should try racing motorcycles just to see how he does on two wheels. Kyle Busch is a solid bet week in and week out. Last year, he finished he finished eleventh after qualifying eighteenth.

Kyle Busch has one victory in six career starts at New Hampshire. He won this race back in 2006.

4. 20-Tony Stewart: 8-1 nascar odds

To suggest that Tony Stewart is overdue for a win is a massive understatement. Almost one year has passed since Stewart’s last win in the Sprint Cup series at Watkins Glen. New Hampshire is a track that Stewart has enjoyed some success. He won this race three years ago. It is not as if Stewart is performing terribly. He has endured rotten luck in the late stages of the races. Perhaps it is Stewart’s week to breakthrough. Last year, he finished twelfth after qualifying fourteenth.

Tony Stewart has two wins in eighteen career starts at New Hampshire. He won this race in 2000 and 2005.

5. 99-Carl Edwards: 7-1 nascar odds

Carl Edwards is another driver to watch this weekend. Even though his best performances have occurred on the intermediate-style tracks, I would not discount him on the short tracks. He has a solid run at Phoenix and Richmond earlier in the season. Furthermore, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway is in the New England, which is the home of Fenway Sports, part owner of Roush Fenway Racing. Expect Edwards to contend for the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 win. Last year, he finished thirteenth after qualifying 22nd.

Carl Edwards has yet to win at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in seven career starts.

6. 07-Clint Bowyer: 15-1 nascar odds

It is difficult to believe that it has been nearly ten months since Clint Bowyer captured his first career victory at New Hampshire in the first race of the Chase for the Championship. Since that memorable triumph, Bowyer has emerged into one of NASCAR’s brightest new stars. However, prior to the race at Sonoma last week, Bowyer was sliding down the championship standings. Following his fourth place finish at Sonoma last weekend, Bowyer hopes to build additional momentum at perhaps his best track. It is doubtful that Bowyer will utterly spank the field as he did in September, but he should have a solid run. Last year, Bowyer finished 37th after qualifying 20th.

In four career starts, Clint Bowyer has one victory, which was his first career Cup victory. He won the September race in 2007.

7. 24-Jeff Gordon: 12-1 nascar odds

Jeff Gordon not only needs another solid finish, but he needs a solid performance as well. Gordon has not been a threat to win on many weekends this season, but he has stayed out of trouble. Therefore, Gordon is solidly in the top twelve in the championship standings. Gordon is stout at New Hampshire, and this genre of track always suits his driving style. Last year, Gordon finished second behind Denny Hamlin.

In twenty-six career starts at New Hampshire, Jeff Gordon has three wins, the last one occurring in 1998. Additionally, he has twelve top five finishes, and fifteen top ten finishes. He has led 1,141 laps at New Hampshire throughout his career.

8. 29-Kevin Harvick: 15-1 nascar odds

Like Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick could use a strong finish in Sunday’s 301-lap event. He has failed to finish in the top ten since Richmond in May, which happened to be six races ago. In 2006, Harvick was the driver to beat on tracks like New Hampshire. He may not be the nascar odds-on favorite to win this weekend, but expect him to break his top ten drought. Last year, Harvick finished eighth after qualifying seventh.

In fourteen career starts at New Hampshire, Harvick has one victory, which occurred in September of 2006.

9. 16-Greg Biffle: 15-1 nascar odds

Greg Biffle has the comfort of knowing that he will drive for Roush Fenway Racing for the next three years. There will be no more speculation of Biffle’s future. Judging by his recent performances, the speculation was far from a distraction. Biffle is arguably performing better than any non-winner in 2008. Biffle’s strength is the 1.5-mile tracks, but he has a favorable record at New Hampshire. He should contend for the win. Last year, Biffle finished 31st after qualifying 34th.

In eleven career starts at New Hampshire, Biffle has yet to win at the 1.058-mile facility.

10. 17-Matt Kenseth: 15-1 nascar odds

Matt Kenseth looks to extend his six-race streak of top ten finishes. In fact, he could prolong the streak with a victory. Like Biffle, Kenseth is on the verge of winning his first race of the 2008 Sprint Cup season. Look for Kenseth to run among the leaders. Last year, Kenseth finished ninth after qualifying 30th.

In sixteen career starts, Kenseth has never won at New Hampshire.

Also keep an eye on Jeff Burton (25-1 nascar odds), Martin Truex, Jr. (18-1 nascar odds), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (8-1 nascar odds), Kasey Kahne (25-1 nascar odds), and Ryan Newman (35-1 nascar odds)

Great darkhorse picks include Brian Vickers, Aric Almirola, Bobby Labonte, David Gilliland, and Travis Kvapil,

Stay away from J.J. Yeley, Dario Franchitti, Michael McDowell, and Scott Riggs

Odds Maker’s Top Ten

1. Kyle Busch 5-1 nascar odds
2. Carl Edwards 7-1 nascar odds
3. Jimmie Johnson 7-1 nascar odds
4. Denny Hamlin 7-1 nascar odds
5. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 8-1 nascar odds
6. Tony Stewart 8-1 nascar odds
7. Jeff Gordon 12-1 nascar odds
8. Greg Biffle 15-1 nascar odds
9. Clint Bowyer 15-1 nascar odds
10. Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick 15-1 nascar odds