Winner: Kurt Busch
Recap: For Tony Stewart, the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 proved to be all talk and no action. After leading 132 of 284 laps Stewart’s pit strategy did him in. But the rain couldn’t have fallen at a better time for Kurt Busch, who took the rain shortened event. The day was also not very kind to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. who got rammed in the back by Jamie McMurray, injuring his day on lap 271. The caution spelled doom for the leaders, including Stewart who chose to pit leaving Kurt Busch and others in the catbird seat on lap 280 when Clint Bowyer and Sam Hornish, Jr. were involved in crash slowing the field for a caution. Four laps later the race was permanently halted thanks to a serve storm. But right before the cars headed down pit lane, Juan Pablo Montoya punted new bff Kyle Busch resulting in a 25th place finish for the points leader and two lap penalty for Montoya. Who says New Hampshire races are boring? Sometimes it all comes down to the final few laps.
Race Results Points Standings Photos
Shout Outs: Michael Waltrip finished 2nd, like I could give this award to anyone else. The struggling owner/driver benefited from pit strategy, but who cares, the guy came in second. I also have to give props to Casey Mears who finished seventh. This weekend probably was very difficult with the announcement he’ll be leaving Hendrick at the end of the season, so a seventh place finish was just what the doctor ordered, although a win would have been nice too, but let’s not get too greedy.
Disappointments: New Hampshire just seemed like another one of those crazy weekends Tony Stewart and his team has endured this season. I know he’s a late bloomer, but it’s almost July and Smoke still hasn’t broken through with a victory. After pacing the second half of the event, a 13th place finish could not be described as anything but disappointing.
Next Race: Coke Zero 400 @ Daytona (What happened to Pepsi?)
(Photo: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for Nascar)
Recap: For Tony Stewart, the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 proved to be all talk and no action. After leading 132 of 284 laps Stewart’s pit strategy did him in. But the rain couldn’t have fallen at a better time for Kurt Busch, who took the rain shortened event. The day was also not very kind to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. who got rammed in the back by Jamie McMurray, injuring his day on lap 271. The caution spelled doom for the leaders, including Stewart who chose to pit leaving Kurt Busch and others in the catbird seat on lap 280 when Clint Bowyer and Sam Hornish, Jr. were involved in crash slowing the field for a caution. Four laps later the race was permanently halted thanks to a serve storm. But right before the cars headed down pit lane, Juan Pablo Montoya punted new bff Kyle Busch resulting in a 25th place finish for the points leader and two lap penalty for Montoya. Who says New Hampshire races are boring? Sometimes it all comes down to the final few laps.
Race Results Points Standings Photos
Shout Outs: Michael Waltrip finished 2nd, like I could give this award to anyone else. The struggling owner/driver benefited from pit strategy, but who cares, the guy came in second. I also have to give props to Casey Mears who finished seventh. This weekend probably was very difficult with the announcement he’ll be leaving Hendrick at the end of the season, so a seventh place finish was just what the doctor ordered, although a win would have been nice too, but let’s not get too greedy.
Disappointments: New Hampshire just seemed like another one of those crazy weekends Tony Stewart and his team has endured this season. I know he’s a late bloomer, but it’s almost July and Smoke still hasn’t broken through with a victory. After pacing the second half of the event, a 13th place finish could not be described as anything but disappointing.
Next Race: Coke Zero 400 @ Daytona (What happened to Pepsi?)
(Photo: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for Nascar)
It’s been fun blogging with you,
Kate
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