The NASCAR drivers and teams will be hoping to make a win appear on the “Magic Mile” of New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend in the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301.
Racing on the “Magic Mile” is a challenge to say the least. With minimal banking in the turns it is basically flat-track racing at high speeds for the drivers. This also creates quite the challenge for the crews to balance the cars for speed AND handling.
Here are the factors for the track and race that all the drivers will be facing.
New Hampshire Motor Speedway Data
Track Size: 1.058-mile
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 2 to 7 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 2 to 7 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 1 degree
Banking/Backstretch: 1 degree
Frontstretch Length: 1,500 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,500 feet
Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 Data
Season Race #: 20 of 36 (07-21-19)
Race Length: 301 laps / 318.458 miles
Stages 1 & 2 Length: 75 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 151 laps
Eight of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers have scored at least one win this year. These drivers are locked in with a spot in the final ten races as part of the playoffs. The other eight spots in the 16 that will have a shot at the championship are filled by drivers based on points. Counting this weekend there are just seven races left before that 16 driver grid is set for the post-season races. The drivers not locked in can secure their spot with a win. Without a win they will have to have enough points to be in the top 16. This might make this weekend’s race very interesting to watch.
Let’s look at the active drivers that have performed well during their careers on the “Magic Mile.”
Top 10 Driver Rating at New Hampshire
Denny Hamlin ……………………….. 102.7
Kyle Busch ……………………………. 101.4
Jimmie Johnson …………………….. 100.2
Kevin Harvick ………………………….. 97.4
Brad Keselowski ……………………… 97.3
Chase Elliott ……………………………. 95.6
Martin Truex Jr ………………………… 94.8
Kyle Larson …………………………….. 91.1
Kurt Busch ……………………………… 89.9
Ryan Newman ………………………… 88.4
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2018 races (27 total) among active drivers at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Here are the active drivers that have scored wins on the “Magic Mile” in NASCAR’s top division.
Denny Hamlin – 3 Wins
Jimmie Johnson – 3 Wins
Kevin Harvick – 3 Wins (including this race last year)
Kurt Busch – 3 Wins
Kyle Busch – 3 Wins
Ryan Newman – 3 Wins
Clint Bowyer – 2 Wins
Joey Logano – 2 Wins
Brad Keselowski – 1 Win
Will a driver with a 2019 win secure a higher starting position in the playoffs by winning this weekend?
Will a driver in the top 16 based on points lock them-self in the post-season by winning the race?
Perhaps it will be a driver outside the top 16 getting the win and shaking up the playoff picture by taking advantage of the “win and you’re in” scenario.
We will find out starting at 2 PM central time (3 PM eastern time) in the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 st New Hampshire Motor Speedway this Sunday, July 21st.
By: Buck Stevens
