How accurately did July’s LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway preview this year’s Chase field? Within one position of perfection. The first nine finishers, led by race-winner #5-Kasey Kahne, all qualified for the Chase as did those 11th through 13th. Finishing behind Kahne in the top five were #11-Denny Hamlin, #!5-Clint Bowyer, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #2-Brad Keselowski. #39-Ryan Newman, New Hampshire’s 2010 July winner and a potential Chase Wild Card down to the checkered flag earlier this month in Richmond, was the only odd man out, finishing 10th. The New Hampshire Chase race winner has gone on to claim the championship twice: Stewart a year ago and Kurt Busch in 2004. The Sylvania 300 was the post-season’s opener from 2004 to 2010. Current Chase competitors have won four of the past five races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Kahne, Stewart, Bowyer (fall 2010) and Johnson (summer 2010).(NASCAR)(9-19-2012)
