5 Questions After Racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

It has been a week since the Lenox 301 in Loudon, New Hampshire but we’re not done talking about it yet. It's always a jam packed weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, with a race in four different series. Global Rally, Whelen Modifieds, Nationwide and concluding with the Sprint Cup series. There was a lot of excitement and energy last weekend, and my one hope is that it continues to be this way at NHMS.
Denny Hamlin and Kasey Kahne during media time at NH.
Photo Credit: Genevieve
What team is really the strongest at NHMS?

I asked in 5 Questions Before if we’d see a strong driver dominate the race before the Lenox 301. The answer is yes we did see strong drivers dominate, but it wasn’t Stewart-Haas’ Ryan Newman or Tony Stewart, it was Joe Gibbs drivers Kyle Busch, who started on the pole and Denny Hamlin who started in third. Hamlin led 151 laps – and finished second. Busch and Hamlin have a proven record of being strong drivers at NHMS and they proved that once again Sunday.

Hendrick Motorsports dominated in their own fashion. At one point of the race, the team was lined up in numerical order, Kasey Kahne in the 5 car was second, Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 was in third, Jimmie Johnson had the 48 car in 4th and Dale Earnhardt Jr. had his No. 88 Chevy in fifth place. They didn’t hold on to that line up for very long, but all four cars finished in the top seven. Kahne in first, Earnhardt Jr. finished fourth, Jeff Gordon in sixth and Jimmie Johnson in seventh.Will HMS continue to hold the top seven spots in upcoming races at NHMS and be known as the HMS house?

Will the Modified Series race ever be televised? 

Photo Credit: NASCAR Media.com
Ron Silk & Mike Stefanik's close finish
Whelen Modified Series
Saturday’s race was one exciting race that should not have been missed by any NASCAR fan out there. The Whelen Modified Series is well-loved by New Englanders and the stands were crowded. Excitement roared in the end when drivers Ron Silk and Mike Stefanik fought for the lead, it was a close call ending by three thousandths of a second…that’s never been seen in the Modified series, and it really hasn’t been seen in the Cup or Nationwide series at NHMS either. Fans in the grandstands went wild as did some fans on Twitter who tuned into the race via internet radio. There is a demand, and to prove it, shouldn’t they air at least one race to see how the ratings stack up?  

Will Loudon ever host a night race?

In nine races, NASCAR will return to NHMS for another Sunday afternoon race. I really wonder if they’d ever consider a night race at the "Magic Mile." Why not? The race is sponsored by Sylvania, a light bulb company and what better way to promote your lights then to turn them on and light up the track?

Which of the four Wildcard drivers will actually make the Chase?

The Chase starts in just eight weeks and drivers are working hard to secure their spots. With Kahne winning on Sunday, he’s got a leg up as we head into the Chase but he could just as easily lose it. A third win would guarantee the slot, the question is, will he make it happen? Kyle Busch, Joey Logano and Ryan Newman are all on the radar for a possible wild card position because they have won a race but the question remains, who has a stronger chance of making it? Busch has the ability to win again, so does Kahne but anything is possible and we see luck turn around in racing in an instant.

Do the Cope twins really belong in NASCAR?

The Nationwide and Truck races are the series where drivers start their career. Keep in mind, not all drivers will get into an Nationwide car and dominate the season like Austin Dillon is – drivers like Angela Cope are learning how to handle the car, the competition, and topping it off, the Cup drivers.

Will she ever recover and redeem herself from the incident that happened between her and Kevin Harvick? Cope was 33 laps down and driving slow when Harvick got stuck behind her and believed she was the reason for his loss.

Shouldn't the twins put the cruelty, the name-calling and rudeness behind them and focus on what’s important...their racing careers?



Genevieve
Genevieve is a writer with a day job in child care. Currently residing in Cornelius, NC near all of the race shops, she spends a lot of time writing about other subjects which include health and fitness. She's recently found a love for photography - and tries to use her pictures for her articles. You can follow her on Twitter at @C_Genevieve   


5 Questions After Racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway 5 Questions After Racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Reviewed by Unknown on Saturday, July 21, 2012 Rating: 5