Fantasy NASCAR: Five to go – Lenox Industrial Tools 301
Can Jimmie Johnson win his third of the year at New Hampshire?
The Lenox Industrial Tools 301 is held at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, a 1.058-mile oval speedway, located in Loudon, New Hampshire. After the narrow road course last week, drivers should enjoy the wide, multi-groove race track. History has shown the winner has started from inside the top-15 far more often than not. This is a good week to mix it up and start your best qualifers come race day.
Jimmie Johnson | No. 48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports
In 14 career starts, Johnson has finished 15th or better on 13 occasions. In addition to six top-10 finishes over the last seven races, Johnson swept in 2003. Although he has never won the pole at Loudon, Johnson owns the best average starting position (7.9) over the last five years (10 races). Strong qualifying runs in addition to consistant finishes make Johnson the strongest driver this week in all formats.
David Reutimann | No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing
On the season, the man they call The Franchise has complied four top-10 finishes (three top-fives) through 16 races after registering only four top-10s last season. Despite never recording a top-10 finish at Loudon, Reutimann’s performance is on the rise. Over the last two years (four races), his finish improved each and every time out. In 2007, Reutimann finished 38th and 26th. Last year, he cracked the top-20 with 19th and 15th-place outings. During that span, Reutimann had strong performances in the Nationwide series with eighth and seventh-place results.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. | No. 88 National Guard/Amp Energy Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports
Despite a frustrating season, Earnhardt has a chance to turn it around at a track where he has made some moderate success. Although he has not won Loudon, Earnhardt has led laps in four straight races. Most importantly, he a lot of good qualifying runs. Over the last six years (12 races), Earnhardt has started sixth or better on eight occasions.
Martin Truex Jr. | No. 1 TomTom Chevrolet | Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing
In six career starts at Loudon, Truex has started inside the top-10 on four occasions, finishing seventh or better in four straight. Following a six-place Southern 500 finish in early May, Truex has not finished better than 18th in five consective starts. Like Earnhardt, consider Truex based upon the results of qualifying.
Brad Keselowski | 09 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming Chevrolet | Phoenix Racing
The victory at Talladega may have inflated his price in salary cap formats but Keselowski is strong long shot play this week. Keselowski finished seventh at the Southern 500 but has not been in a Cup points race since. At New Hampshire, the rookie has 10th-place finish at last year’s Nationwide race.
