After running out of gas last weekend at Chicagoland, five-time defending champ Jimmie Johnson finds himself in an early hole in the 2011 Chase. As if anyone thought Johnson would go down without a fight, he topped the charts in the first practice session at New Hampshire Saturday just to make sure. The three-time track winner is no stranger to coming from behind to win titles, and there is a good chance his charge back to the top could begin Sunday.
Jeff Burton ranked second on the charts, and despite his miserable 2011 season, he deserves some consideration from fantasy owners. After all, he is a four-time winner at NHMS. His Richard Childress Racing teammate and current point leader Kevin Harvick was third. After narrowly missing the title a year ago, Harvick seems poised to make another serious run. With two top-five finishes in his last three starts at New Hampshire, owners should have no problem backing Harvick this weekend.
Greg Biffle and Jeff Gordon rounded out the top five in the opening session, and while both drivers are former winners at New Hampshire, Gordon is the smarter fantasy play. After all, he has 12 straight finishes inside the top 15 at the track, and he has been dialed in at the flat tracks this season. Gordon has already won races at Phoenix and Pocono, and he had the dominant car at Indianapolis as well. Anything less than a top-five finish from the No. 24 bunch would be a disappointment.
In terms of 10-lap average speeds, Burton continued to prove that he is a serious contender by topping the charts. Again, this takes some serious trust on the part of fantasy owners given all Burton's struggles this year. However, his strong history of success bodes well. He could make a nice sleeper play and allow owners willing to gamble a bit to gain some ground on the competition.
Gordon ranked second in terms of 10-lap average speed, leading a charge of Chasers. He was followed by Kyle Busch, last weekend's winner Tony Stewart, and Kasey Kahne. Both Busch and Stewart are former winners at the track, and Stewart finished second to his teammate Ryan Newman at NHMS earlier this year. Coming off his win at Chicagoland, Stewart makes a nice momentum play, especially considering his record at New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Kahne joins Burton as a potential sleeper because he is starting on the front and had a solid showing at NHMS in July.
In Happy Hour, David Stremme stole the show, topping the charts in surprise fashion. Normally, a fast lap from a driver outside the top 35 in points would be chalked up to qualifying trim. However, qualifying was held Friday, which means Stremme was fast in race trim. He is the ultimate boom or bust play this weekend, but with all the first-time winners in 2011, it's tough to write him off completely.
Hendrick Motorsports teammates Gordon and Johnson continued to impress, ranking second and third in the final session. Burton and Kyle Busch did the same, rounding out the top five. Pole-sitter Ryan Newman ranked sixth in Happy Hour, and after winning at New Hampshire from the pole earlier this season, a season sweep can't be ruled out for the three-time track winner.
Familiar faces topped the charts in terms of 10-lap average speeds in the final session with Johnson and Newman leading the way. Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne ranked third and fourth, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounding out the top five. As the newcomer to the group, Junior could warrant a spot on fantasy rosters. He has been a consistent top-15 driver at New Hampshire, and if the race happens to come down to fuel mileage, Junior has proven all year he can stretch his fuel as well as anyone.
One big name that owners may want to avoid this weekend is Denny Hamlin. Despite solid practice times and incredible numbers at New Hampshire, mechanical problems could be in store for Hamlin. He reported during Happy Hour that his transmission was acting weird. His team is going to inspect it prior to Sunday's race, but with all the engine trouble experienced by Joe Gibbs Racing this year, it wouldn't be surprised to see Hamlin have a transmission failure.
Happy Hour Speeds (sorted by Avg. Speed)
Rk indicates Best Lap standing
|
Rk
|
Car
|
Driver
|
Team
|
Best Lap
|
Best Time
|
Avg. Speed
|
Laps
|
|
11
|
88
|
|
Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet
|
129.931
|
29.314
|
129.040
|
53
|
|
13
|
33
|
|
Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
|
129.909
|
29.319
|
128.992
|
35
|
|
2
|
24
|
|
DuPont Chevrolet
|
130.416
|
29.205
|
128.948
|
39
|
|
4
|
31
|
|
Caterpillar Chevrolet
|
130.309
|
29.229
|
128.850
|
51
|
|
12
|
5
|
|
GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
|
129.931
|
29.314
|
128.837
|
51
|
|
3
|
48
|
|
Lowe's Chevrolet
|
130.336
|
29.223
|
128.821
|
48
|
|
18
|
56
|
|
NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
|
129.741
|
29.357
|
128.754
|
36
|
|
7
|
4
|
|
Red Bull Toyota
|
130.060
|
29.285
|
128.715
|
56
|
|
10
|
27
|
|
Sylvania/Menards Chevrolet
|
129.975
|
29.304
|
128.704
|
38
|
|
9
|
29
|
|
Budweiser Chevrolet
|
129.984
|
29.302
|
128.650
|
38
|
|
5
|
18
|
|
M&M's Toyota
|
130.269
|
29.238
|
128.627
|
46
|
|
8
|
16
|
|
Ford40MPG.com Ford
|
130.042
|
29.289
|
128.593
|
39
|
|
19
|
99
|
|
Scotts Winterguard Ford
|
129.710
|
29.364
|
128.552
|
35
|
|
6
|
39
|
|
Haas Automation Chevrolet
|
130.126
|
29.270
|
128.456
|
49
|
|
16
|
78
|
|
Furniture Row Chevrolet
|
129.767
|
29.351
|
128.426
|
41
|
|
21
|
1
|
|
AXE Cool Metal Chevrolet
|
129.644
|
29.379
|
128.411
|
42
|
|
15
|
11
|
|
FedEx Ground Toyota
|
129.772
|
29.350
|
128.382
|
47
|
|
22
|
22
|
|
Shell Pennzoil Dodge
|
129.644
|
29.379
|
128.374
|
45
|
|
26
|
42
|
|
Degree Men Chevrolet
|
129.542
|
29.402
|
128.319
|
29
|
|
17
|
43
|
|
Best Buy Ford
|
129.741
|
29.357
|
128.315
|
45
|
|
28
|
14
|
|
Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet
|
129.450
|
29.423
|
128.291
|
56
|
|
27
|
83
|
|
Red Bull Toyota
|
129.454
|
29.422
|
128.279
|
42
|
|
24
|
6
|
|
UPS Ford
|
129.595
|
29.390
|
128.252
|
47
|
|
23
|
47
|
|
Bush's Baked Beans Toyota
|
129.630
|
29.382
|
128.249
|
45
|
|
31
|
7
|
|
SPEED Energy Dodge
|
129.261
|
29.466
|
128.181
|
8
|
|
14
|
20
|
|
The Home Depot Toyota
|
129.878
|
29.326
|
128.132
|
50
|
|
29
|
9
|
|
DeWalt Ford
|
129.353
|
29.445
|
128.100
|
43
|
|
34
|
66
|
|
|
128.898
|
29.549
|
128.080
|
12
|
|
30
|
17
|
|
Affliction Clothing Ford
|
129.300
|
29.457
|
128.052
|
46
|
|
25
|
00
|
|
Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
|
129.569
|
29.396
|
128.043
|
35
|
|
20
|
2
|
|
Miller Lite Dodge
|
129.688
|
29.369
|
128.030
|
39
|
|
37
|
55
|
|
|
128.715
|
29.591
|
128.017
|
10
|
|
33
|
36
|
|
Golden Corral/HOF Richie Evans Chevrolet
|
128.898
|
29.549
|
127.974
|
35
|
|
32
|
46
|
|
Red Line Oil Ford
|
129.099
|
29.503
|
127.455
|
13
|
|
38
|
37
|
|
|
128.702
|
29.594
|
127.430
|
9
|
|
43
|
13
|
|
GEICO Toyota
|
128.079
|
29.738
|
127.370
|
13
|
|
39
|
51
|
|
PhoenixCnstrctn/ThankATchrToday Chevrolet
|
128.580
|
29.622
|
127.290
|
51
|
|
42
|
38
|
|
Long John Silver's Ford
|
128.139
|
29.724
|
127.135
|
32
|
|
1
|
30
|
|
|
130.644
|
29.154
|
127.132
|
11
|
|
35
|
34
|
|
|
128.867
|
29.556
|
127.016
|
28
|
|
41
|
32
|
|
Street King Ford
|
128.139
|
29.724
|
126.879
|
36
|
|
36
|
87
|
|
AM FM Energy Toyota
|
128.798
|
29.572
|
126.449
|
20
|
|
40
|
71
|
|
Interstate Moving Services Ford
|
128.467
|
29.648
|
126.301
|
43
|
10-Lap Average Speeds (must run 10 consecutive laps)
|
Rk
|
Car
|
Driver
|
From Lap
|
To Lap
|
Avg. Speed
|
|
1
|
48
|
|
32
|
41
|
129.489
|
|
2
|
39
|
|
33
|
42
|
129.396
|
|
3
|
18
|
|
1
|
10
|
129.375
|
|
4
|
4
|
|
38
|
47
|
129.298
|
|
5
|
88
|
|
25
|
34
|
129.232
|
|
6
|
5
|
|
32
|
41
|
129.182
|
|
7
|
33
|
|
3
|
12
|
129.180
|
|
8
|
43
|
|
28
|
37
|
129.065
|
|
9
|
16
|
|
14
|
23
|
129.052
|
|
10
|
29
|
|
2
|
11
|
129.033
|
|
11
|
27
|
|
27
|
36
|
129.028
|
|
12
|
22
|
|
2
|
11
|
128.980
|
|
13
|
24
|
|
5
|
14
|
128.969
|
|
14
|
11
|
|
30
|
39
|
128.853
|
|
15
|
1
|
|
26
|
35
|
128.826
|
|
16
|
9
|
|
28
|
37
|
128.825
|
|
17
|
47
|
|
30
|
39
|
128.813
|
|
18
|
14
|
|
38
|
47
|
128.740
|
|
19
|
31
|
|
15
|
24
|
128.670
|
|
20
|
99
|
|
26
|
35
|
128.627
|
|
21
|
2
|
|
22
|
31
|
128.580
|
|
22
|
20
|
|
1
|
10
|
128.576
|
|
23
|
00
|
|
2
|
11
|
128.466
|
|
24
|
17
|
|
1
|
10
|
128.363
|
|
25
|
36
|
|
1
|
10
|
128.279
|
|
26
|
6
|
|
38
|
47
|
128.146
|
|
27
|
78
|
|
30
|
39
|
128.115
|
|
28
|
51
|
|
2
|
11
|
128.105
|
|
29
|
42
|
|
17
|
26
|
128.079
|
|
30
|
13
|
|
1
|
10
|
127.423
|
|
31
|
71
|
|
34
|
43
|
127.215
|
|
32
|
34
|
|
3
|
12
|
127.024
|
Second Practice Speeds (sorted by Avg. Speed)
Rk indicates Best Lap standing
|
Rk
|
Car
|
Driver
|
Team
|
Best Lap
|
Best Time
|
Avg. Speed
|
Laps
|
|
23
|
42
|
|
Degree Men Chevrolet
|
129.441
|
29.425
|
129.079
|
21
|
|
14
|
4
|
|
Red Bull Toyota
|
129.750
|
29.355
|
129.037
|
31
|
|
5
|
24
|
|
DuPont Chevrolet
|
130.006
|
29.297
|
128.981
|
34
|
|
4
|
16
|
|
Ford40MPG.com Ford
|
130.109
|
29.274
|
128.968
|
24
|
|
12
|
5
|
|
GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
|
129.781
|
29.348
|
128.938
|
29
|
|
40
|
32
|
|
Street King Ford
|
128.165
|
29.718
|
128.933
|
25
|
|
3
|
29
|
|
Budweiser Chevrolet
|
130.149
|
29.265
|
128.873
|
33
|
|
13
|
88
|
|
Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet
|
129.754
|
29.354
|
128.777
|
33
|
|
7
|
18
|
|
M&M's Toyota
|
129.962
|
29.307
|
128.771
|
27
|
|
22
|
11
|
|
FedEx Ground Toyota
|
129.472
|
29.418
|
128.705
|
32
|
|
30
|
55
|
|
|
128.719
|
29.590
|
128.684
|
17
|
|
15
|
27
|
|
Sylvania/Menards Chevrolet
|
129.745
|
29.356
|
128.656
|
30
|
|
42
|
38
|
|
Long John Silver's Ford
|
127.885
|
29.783
|
128.641
|
27
|
|
29
|
47
|
|
Bush's Baked Beans Toyota
|
128.828
|
29.565
|
128.535
|
42
|
|
17
|
22
|
|
Shell Pennzoil Dodge
|
129.648
|
29.378
|
128.513
|
46
|
|
11
|
14
|
|
Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet
|
129.900
|
29.321
|
128.478
|
43
|
|
18
|
2
|
|
Miller Lite Dodge
|
129.617
|
29.385
|
128.451
|
37
|
|
9
|
39
|
|
Haas Automation Chevrolet
|
129.918
|
29.317
|
128.443
|
32
|
|
41
|
30
|
|
|
128.010
|
29.754
|
128.438
|
9
|
|
19
|
20
|
|
The Home Depot Toyota
|
129.577
|
29.394
|
128.365
|
31
|
|
25
|
83
|
|
Red Bull Toyota
|
129.384
|
29.438
|
128.365
|
44
|
|
20
|
6
|
|
UPS Ford
|
129.555
|
29.399
|
128.321
|
38
|
|
8
|
78
|
|
Furniture Row Chevrolet
|
129.958
|
29.308
|
128.269
|
36
|
|
24
|
1
|
|
AXE Cool Metal Chevrolet
|
129.388
|
29.437
|
128.262
|
32
|
|
37
|
34
|
|
|
128.255
|
29.697
|
128.238
|
25
|
|
26
|
99
|
|
Scotts Winterguard Ford
|
129.173
|
29.486
|
128.091
|
39
|
|
27
|
46
|
|
Red Line Oil Ford
|
128.989
|
29.528
|
127.921
|
9
|
|
28
|
17
|
|
Affliction Clothing Ford
|
128.976
|
29.531
|
127.579
|
22
|
|
32
|
9
|
|
DeWalt Ford
|
128.602
|
29.617
|
127.506
|
35
|
|
38
|
51
|
|
PhoenixCnstrctn/ThankATchrToday Chevrolet
|
128.178
|
29.715
|
127.490
|
34
|
|
35
|
0
|
|
Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
|
128.476
|
29.646
|
127.384
|
31
|
|
36
|
87
|
|
AM FM Energy Toyota
|
128.420
|
29.659
|
127.328
|
6
|
|
33
|
7
|
|
SPEED Energy Dodge
|
128.550
|
29.629
|
127.319
|
5
|
|
34
|
13
|
|
GEICO Toyota
|
128.519
|
29.636
|
127.183
|
17
|
|
2
|
31
|
|
Caterpillar Chevrolet
|
130.180
|
29.258
|
127.161
|
38
|
|
21
|
56
|
|
NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
|
129.551
|
29.400
|
127.094
|
24
|
|
39
|
66
|
|
|
128.169
|
29.717
|
126.924
|
23
|
|
1
|
48
|
|
Lowe's Chevrolet
|
130.198
|
29.254
|
126.868
|
41
|
|
31
|
37
|
|
|
128.719
|
29.590
|
126.847
|
8
|
|
16
|
36
|
|
Golden Corral/HOF Richie Evans Chev
|
129.666
|
29.374
|
126.719
|
27
|
|
6
|
33
|
|
Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
|
129.975
|
29.304
|
126.696
|
23
|
|
10
|
43
|
|
Best Buy Ford
|
129.905
|
29.320
|
125.816
|
37
|
|
43
|
71
|
|
Interstate Moving Services Ford
|
124.989
|
30.473
|
123.933
|
12
|
10-Lap Average Speeds (must run 10 consecutive laps)
|
Rk
|
Car
|
Driver
|
From Lap
|
To Lap
|
Avg. Speed
|
|
1
|
31
|
|
2
|
11
|
129.576
|
|
2
|
24
|
|
12
|
21
|
129.088
|
|
3
|
18
|
|
14
|
23
|
129.006
|
|
4
|
14
|
|
2
|
11
|
129.002
|
|
5
|
4
|
|
1
|
10
|
128.988
|
|
6
|
48
|
|
2
|
11
|
128.975
|
|
7
|
27
|
|
18
|
27
|
128.816
|
|
8
|
11
|
|
1
|
10
|
128.717
|
|
9
|
22
|
|
35
|
44
|
128.691
|
|
10
|
39
|
|
1
|
10
|
128.662
|
|
11
|
36
|
|
1
|
10
|
128.617
|
|
12
|
83
|
|
3
|
12
|
128.458
|
|
13
|
6
|
|
2
|
11
|
128.448
|
|
14
|
1
|
|
1
|
10
|
128.309
|
|
15
|
2
|
|
2
|
11
|
128.257
|
|
16
|
47
|
|
2
|
11
|
128.112
|
|
17
|
9
|
|
26
|
35
|
127.988
|
|
18
|
00
|
|
2
|
11
|
127.523
|
|
19
|
51
|
|
3
|
12
|
127.200
|
|
20
|
66
|
|
1
|
10
|
127.086
|
Combined Average Speeds (weighted by # of laps run in each session)
|
Car
|
Driver
|
Team
|
Average Speed
|
Total Laps
|
|
24
|
|
DuPont Chevrolet
|
128.963
|
73
|
|
88
|
|
Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet
|
128.939
|
86
|
|
5
|
|
GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
|
128.874
|
80
|
|
4
|
|
Red Bull Toyota
|
128.830
|
87
|
|
029
|
|
Budweiser Chevrolet
|
128.754
|
71
|
|
16
|
|
Ford40MPG.com Ford
|
128.736
|
63
|
|
27
|
|
Sylvania/Menards Chevrolet
|
128.683
|
68
|
|
18
|
|
M&M's Toyota
|
128.680
|
73
|
|
42
|
|
Degree Men Chevrolet
|
128.638
|
50
|
|
11
|
|
FedEx Ground Toyota
|
128.513
|
79
|
|
39
|
|
Haas Automation Chevrolet
|
128.451
|
81
|
|
22
|
|
Shell Pennzoil Dodge
|
128.444
|
91
|
|
55
|
|
|
128.437
|
27
|
|
47
|
|
Bush's Baked Beans Toyota
|
128.387
|
87
|
|
14
|
|
Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet
|
128.372
|
99
|
|
78
|
|
Furniture Row Chevrolet
|
128.353
|
77
|
|
1
|
|
AXE Cool Metal Chevrolet
|
128.347
|
74
|
|
83
|
|
Red Bull Toyota
|
128.323
|
86
|
|
99
|
|
Scotts Winterguard Ford
|
128.309
|
74
|
|
6
|
|
UPS Ford
|
128.283
|
85
|
|
2
|
|
Miller Lite Dodge
|
128.235
|
76
|
|
20
|
|
The Home Depot Toyota
|
128.221
|
81
|
|
31
|
|
Caterpillar Chevrolet
|
128.129
|
89
|
|
56
|
|
NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
|
128.090
|
60
|
|
33
|
|
Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
|
128.082
|
58
|
|
48
|
|
Lowe's Chevrolet
|
127.921
|
89
|
|
17
|
|
Affliction Clothing Ford
|
127.899
|
68
|
|
7
|
|
SPEED Energy Dodge
|
127.849
|
13
|
|
9
|
|
DeWalt Ford
|
127.833
|
78
|
|
38
|
|
Long John Silver's Ford
|
127.824
|
59
|
|
00
|
|
Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
|
127.733
|
66
|
|
32
|
|
Street King Ford
|
127.721
|
61
|
|
30
|
|
|
127.720
|
20
|
|
46
|
|
Red Line Oil Ford
|
127.646
|
22
|
|
34
|
|
|
127.592
|
53
|
|
36
|
|
Golden Corral/HOF Richie Evans Chevrolet
|
127.427
|
62
|
|
51
|
|
PhoenixCnstrctn/ThankATchrToday Chevrolet
|
127.370
|
85
|
|
66
|
|
|
127.320
|
35
|
|
13
|
|
GEICO Toyota
|
127.264
|
30
|
|
43
|
|
Best Buy Ford
|
127.187
|
82
|
|
37
|
|
|
127.156
|
17
|
|
87
|
|
AM FM Energy Toyota
|
126.652
|
26
|
|
71
|
|
Interstate Moving Services Ford
|
125.784
|
55
|
About Brian Polking
Racing has been part of Brian's life ever since he can remember, and he spent his childhood at dirt tracks throughout Ohio and Kentucky watching his father race. NASCAR naturally became his favorite sport, and he has been following the Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series for most of his life. Brian majored in journalism and economics at Ohio State University and becoming a sports writer has always been his dream. Although he has covered everything from minor league baseball to the NCAA tournament, his passion has always been NASCAR. Brian has served as a NASCAR writer for a variety of sites, eventually becoming head editor of the NASCAR section for Fanball.com. His knowledge of NASCAR comes from his life-long love of racing, and he tries to add a personal touch to every article he writes. Brian is always up for talking NASCAR with anyone that wants to. Brian joined KFFL's team in 2011.
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