NASCAR Countdown Pre-race: ESPN - 1:00pm/et

Television Race Coverage: ESPN, 2:00pm/et

In the Booth: Allen Bestwick, Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree
Pit Reporters: Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Dr. Jerry Punch, Vince Welch
NASCAR Countdown: Nicole Briscoe, Brad Daugherty, Rusty Wallace, Ray Evernham

SPEED's NASCAR Raceday Pre-Race Show: 11:00 am/et with John Roberts, Kyle Petty, Kenny Wallace

Scheduled Race Re-Air Dates/Times: Monday, Septmber 24 at 12:30am/et on ESPN2
Wednesday, Septmber 26 at 12:00pm/et on SPEED

TV Listings, Links and Info:
Jayski's TV Listings Page
ESPN Network Schedules
SPEED TV Schedule
NASCAR on TV
TV Racer

This Week - Performance Racing Network (PRN) and SiriusXM Satellite NASCAR Channel 90

goprn.com

PRN Live Streaming

Practices:
Friday, September 21, 12:00 - 1:00 pm/et, TV-SPEED
Saturday, September 22, 9:15 - 10:15 am/et, TV-None scheduled

Happy Hour 'Final' practice: Saturday, September 22, 11:00 - 11:55 am/et, TV-SPEED

Qualifying: 2 laps for positions 1-42, Friday, September 21 at 3:40 pm/et, TV-SPEED, NOT LIVE same day delay at 10:00pm/et.

Track Specifications:
Superspeedway: 1.058 mile oval
Race length: 317.4 miles
Scheduled Laps: 300
Turns: Banking: 12 degrees; Straights: 2 degrees
Length of Straights: Frontstretch - 1500ft; Backstretch - 1500ft
Grandstand Seating: 95,491
Opened: 1990 (first Sprint Cup event 1993)

Race Festivities/Officials:
Grand Marshal: Sylvania VP, Graham Wark
Command to start engines: Sylvania VP, Graham Wark
Invocation: Kevin Forrester, U.S. Army Chaplin
National Anthem: Vermont 40th Infantry Army Band
Military Flyover: B-52 , 307th Bomber Wing, Barsdale AFB, AR

Track Websites:
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Speedway Motorsports
New Hampshire Motor Speedway - Facebook
New Hampshire Motor Speedway - Twitter

July 2012: see my New Hampshire Race Info page

September 2011: see my New Hampshire Race Info page

July 2012 Race Winner: #5-Kasey Kahne, 116.226mph, started 2nd

September 2011 Race Winner: #14-Tony Stewart, 116.679mph, started 20th

Race Speed Record: Jeff Burton, 117.134, 7/13/1997

Slowest Race Record: Ricky Rudd, 87.619, 7/1994

Oldest Winner: Mark Martin, 50 years, 8 months, 10 days, 9/20/2009

Youngest Winner: Joey Logano, 19 years, 1 month, 4 days, 6/28/2009

July 2012 Pole Sitter: #18-Kyle Busch, 133.417mph, finished 16th

September 2011 Pole Sitter: #39-Ryan Newman, 135.002mph, finished 25th

Track Qualifying Record: Ryan Newman, 135.232mph, 7/17/2011

Oldest Pole Winner: Bill Elliott, 46 years, 9 months, 13 days, 7/21/2002

Youngest Pole Winner: Brian Vickers, 21 years, 8 months, 23 days, 7/17/2005

Worst Starting Spot to Win: Jeff Burton, started 38th [provisional], 7/1999

New Hampshire's First 2012 Race Wrote Chase's Script: 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)

Statistically, here are four drivers to watch in New Hampshire:
#14-Tony Stewart has the top Driver Rating (112.0) and 14 top fives in 27 starts.
#24-Jeff Gordon leads in top fives (15) and top 10s (20) with a 109.3 Driver Rating.
#48-Jimmie Johnson is third in Driver Rating (105.1) and second in average finish (9.9).
#11-Denny Hamlin ranks fourth in Driver Rating (101.4) and boasts a best average finish of 8.5.

The numbers for New Hampshire; Caution update for 2012:
1 - fewest lead changes (9/17/00)
1 - fewest leaders (Jeff Burton, 9/17/00)
2 - fewest cautions (7/13/97)
2 - fewest laps led by race winner (Jeff Burton, 7/11/99)
3 - wins by Dodge at NHMS since manufacturer's return to NASCAR in 2001
4 - drivers that have competed in all 35 races (Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Joe Nemechek)
4 - most wins (Jeff Burton)
5 - wins from the pole; eight from the front row
6 - most poles (Ryan Newman)
5 - number of jet dryers available for track drying this weekend
7 - fewest cars on lead lap at finish (7/11/93)
7 - drivers with more than one win
8 - races won from outside a top-20 starting position
10 - fewest caution laps (7/13/97)
17 - most cautions (7/10/94)
18 - different pole winners
21 - different race winners
23 - most lead changes (twice, most recent 7/21/02)
30 - most cars on lead lap at finish (7/21/02)
30 - fewest cars running at finish (twice, most recent 9/17/00)
35 - Sprint Cup Series races ran at NHMS
38 - deepest in the field race winner has started (Jeff Burton, 7/11/99)
43 most cars running at finish (9/16/07)
79 - most caution laps (7/10/94)
120 minutes - approximate amount of time it takes to dry the 1.058-mile track after a significant rainfall
300 - most laps led by race winner (Jeff Burton, 9/17/00)
2012 Caution Update
1 - fewest cautions this season (Fontana)
7 - races extended beyond scheduled distance (Daytona1, Martinsville, Talladega, Darlington, Sonoma, Michigan2, and Atlanta)
13 - most cautions this season (Bristol2)
152 - cautions in the first 27 races of 2012; includes 73 for accidents, 38 for debris and 15 for spins
810 of 7,531 - laps under caution in 2012
1,134.582 of 10,113.036 - miles under caution in the first 27 races
(Darnell Communications for SRT Motorsports and Dodge)(9-19-2012)

News and Notes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway:
• Groundbreaking for New Hampshire International Speedway, as New Hampshire Motor Speedway was originally named, was Aug. 13, 1989.
• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was on July 11, 1993.
• Renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2008.
• There have been 35 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; one per year from 1993 through 1996 and two per year since.
• Four drivers have competed in all 35 races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Joe Nemechek.
• Mark Martin won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup pole.
• Rusty Wallace won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
• There have been 18 different pole winners, led by Ryan Newman (six).
• 21 different drivers have won, led by Jeff Burton (four).
• Jimmie Johnson (2003) and Kurt Busch (2004) are the only drivers that have posted season sweeps. Those are also the only back-to-back winners.
• Hendrick Motorsports has won nine races, more than any other organization.
• The deepest in the field that a New Hampshire race winner started was 38th, by Jeff Burton in 1999.
• There have been five winners who started from the pole. The last race winner to win from the pole was Ryan Newman last season (7-17-11).
• Jeff Burton led all 300 laps raced in the 2000 fall race.
• Four drivers got their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at New Hampshire: Joe Nemechek (1999), Ryan Newman (2002), Clint Bowyer (2007) and Joey Logano (2009).
• Two drivers got their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole at New Hampshire: Patrick Carpentier (2008) and Brad Keselowski (2010).
• Denny Hamlin (8.4) and Jimmie Johnson (9.9) are the only two active drivers with an average finish at NHMS in the top 10.
• Jeff Gordon has led the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series laps all-time at New Hampshire at 1,309.
• Last season's fall event (9/25/11) at NHMS tied the records for most all-time leaders (15), and fewest laps led by the winner (2) - Tony Stewart won the race.
• Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series New Hampshire Motor Speedway winner: Joey Logano (06/28/2009 - 19 years, 1 month, 4 days).
• Oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series New Hampshire Motor Speedway winner: Mark Martin (09/20/2009 - 50 years, 8 months, 11 days).
• There have been 35 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in New Hampshire, all at NHMS.
• 14 drivers in NASCAR's three national series (all-time) are listed as New Hampshire natives.
• There has been one race winner from New Hampshire in NASCAR's three national series: Jamie Aube. Aube, from Manchester, won a NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Oxford Plains Speedway in 1987.
(NASCAR)(9-18-2012)

For news, stats, records and more about this race track, see: Jayski's New Hampshire Motor Speedway Track News/Rumors/Links page

Hamlin wins at New Hampshire: #11-Denny Hamlin won the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for his 5th win of year, 22nd career win and the 100th win for Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin syarted 32nd after leading all practices but qualifying 32nd. Hamlin led 193 of the 300 laps.
#48-Johnson finished 2nd followed by #24-Gordon (pole sitter), #15-Bowyer, #5-Kahne, #2-Keselowski, #14-Stewart, #20-Logano, #55-Vickers and #39-Newman.
#49-Johnson takes the points lead with 2096, a lead of 1 point over #2-Keselowski.
There were 4 cautions for 17 yellow flag laps. There were 17 lead changes among 10 drivers. The average speed was 116.810mph.
The estimated attendence was 98,000 up from 95,000 in July and 95,000 last September.
See race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the New Hampshire Race Results page (pdf) and the official race and points rundown on the Official New Hampshire Race & Points Report.(9-23/24-2012)

Where did the 12 Chase drivers finish at New Hampshire?
[by points standings before the race (start pos)]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 6th (15th)
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 2nd (20)
3) #14-Tony Stewart, 7th (3)
4) #11-Denny Hamlin, WON (32)
5) #5-Kasey Kahne, 5th (6)
6) #15-Clint Bowyer, 4th (12)
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 13th (14)
8) #16-Greg Biffle, 18th (13)
9) #56-Martin Truex Jr., 17th (9)
10) #29-Kevin Harvick, 11th (16)
11) #17-Matt Kenseth, 14th (25)
12) #24-Jeff Gordon 3rd (1)
(9-23-2012)

2012 Sprint Cup Driver CHASE Championship Points Standings:
[after New Hampshire, race 28 of 36]
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 2096
2) #2-Brad Keselowski [4 wins], 2095, -1
3) #11-Denny Hamlin [5 wins], 2089, -7
4) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 2086, -10
5) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins], 2081, -15
6) #15-Clint Bowyer [2 wins], 2081, -15
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 2070, -26
8) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 2065, -31
9) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 2063, -33
10) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 2062, -34
11) #17-Matt Kenseth [1 win], 2061, -35
12) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win], 2051, -45
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf)

Race Fast Facts - New Hampshire
#11-Denny Hamlin won the 16th Annual Sylvania 300, his 22nd victory in 251 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. This is his fifth victory and 14th top-10 finish in 2012. This is his second victory and 10th top-10 finish in 14 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. #48-Jimmie Johnson (second) posted his 15th top-10 finish in 22 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his 19th top-10 finish in 2012. #24-Jeff Gordon (third) posted his 21st top-10 finish in 36 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. #33-Stephen Leicht (34th) was the highest finishing rookie. #48-Jimmie Johnson leads the point standings by 1 points over #2-Brad Keselowski. The victory today is the 100th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win for Joe Gibbs Racing: Tony Stewart (33), Denny Hamlin (22), Bobby Labonte (21), Kyle Busch (20), Dale Jarrett (2) and Joey Logano (2).(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-23-2012)

Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Dover:
#36 remains in 35th and is now 119 points ahead of 36th, the #21 team.
there virtually no chance the top-35 will change the rest of the season.
Rank) Car#-Driver/Team, owners pts, +/-
34) #32-TBA/FAS Lane Racing, 374 +141
35) #36-Yeley/Baldwin, 352 +119 ahead of 36th
these teams / drivers will need to qualify by speed:
36) #21-Bayne/Wood Bros., 233, -119pts out of the top 35
37) #33-Leicht/Childress-Falk, 230, 122
38) #30-Stremme/Inception, 200, -152
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see the Owners Points Standings (pdf).(9-23-2012)

New Hampshire Notes-n-Nuggets:
" Denny Hamlin scored his 22nd career win in his 251st start, tie for 29th all time with Terry Labonte and Matt Kenseth.
" Denny Hamlin scored his season-high fifth win of the season; he's won three of the past five races.
" Denny Hamlin scored his second win in his 14th start at New Hampshire; he had finished second three times since his previous New Hampshire win.
" Denny Hamlin posted his fifth Chase win.
" Denny Hamlin qualified 32nd; it's just the sixth Chase race won by a driver who time trialed 30th or worse.
" The driver winning the second Chase race won the championship in the past three seasons.
" Denny Hamlin led four times for 193 laps, including the last 52.
" Crew Chief Darian Grubb scored his 10th win in the past 38 races and sixth Chase victory in the past 12 races.
" Joe Gibbs Racing scored its 100th career win; it's the six organization with 100 or more Cup victories.
" Joe Gibbs Racing scored its ninth Chase win and fifth at New Hampshire; it has seven wins this season, tied with Hendrick Motorsports for the most.
" Toyota posted its ninth win of 2012 and second victory at New Hampshire.
" Jimmie Johnson (second) posted his 35th top-two finish in 82 Chase races; he's finished second in both Chase races this season.
" Jeff Gordon (third) posted his fourth top-three finish in the past five races this season.
" Clint Bowyer (fourth) posted his sixth top-10 in the past seven races this season.
" Kasey Kahne (fifth) posted his sixth top-five in the past 12 races this season.
" Brad Keselowski (sixth) posted his 11th top-10 in the past 12 races this season.
" Brian Vickers (ninth) posted his fourth top-10 in seven starts in 2012.
(Racing Resources and Services -- Statistics Racing Recall / nascar.com)(9-23-2012)

2012 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Points Standings without Chase:
(classic system using current points but NOT the chase system)
[after New Hampshire, race 28 of 36]
1) #16-Greg Biffle(X) [2 wins], 971
2) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(X) [1 win], 969, -2
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson(X) [3 wins], 967, -4
4) #17-Matt Kenseth(X) [1 win], 955, -16
5) #2-Brad Keselowski(X) [4 wins], 954, -17
6) #15-Clint Bowyer(X) [2 wins], 933, -38
7) #11-Denny Hamlin(X) [4 wins], 927, -44
8) #56-Martin Truex Jr.(X) [0 wins], 924, -47
9) #29-Kevin Harvick(X) [0 wins], 906, -65
10) #14-Tony Stewart(X) [3 wins], 887, -84
11) #5-Kasey Kahne(X) [2 wins], 865, -106
12) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 831, -140
13) #24-Jeff Gordon(X) [1 win], 828, -143
14) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 807, -164
15) #99-Carl Edwards [0 wins], 797, -174
16) #27-Paul Menard [0 wins], 792, -179
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
(X) = a Chase driver.

Lucky Dogs - Who got a lap back on each caution at New Hampshire: (and their finish)
Caution 1: #98-McDowell, 37th
Caution 2: #47-Labonte, 20th
Caution 3: #22-Hornish Jr., 21st
Caution 4: #99-Edwards, 19th
(9-23-2012)

Race Coverage of the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, September 23, 2012.
Television (TV): ESPN at 2:00 pm/et; NASCAR Countdown Pre-Race show at 1:00 pm/et; green flag approx 2:15pm/et
Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
Scheduled Race Re-Airs: ESPN2, Monday, September 24 at 12:30am/et; SPEED, Wednesday, September 26 at 12:00pm/et

Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #24-Gordon took pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #18-Busch took pit stall 32, the 4th pitstall with an opening in front of it.
#14-Stewart, who starts 3rd took the 31st pit stall, the 4th stall with an opening behind it.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #88-Earnhardt Jr., who starts 14th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-22-2012)

Links to results, practices, qualifying PDF's:
Official Race Report
Race Results
Drivers Points
Owners Points
Happy Hour Practice Speeds
Pitstalls
Practice 2 Speeds
Starting Lineup
Qualifying Results
Qualifying Order
Practice 1 Speeds
Entry List

NASCAR Green-White-Checkered Race Procedure: NASCAR allows a maximum of three restart attempts prior to the White Flag under NASCAR's Green-White-Checkered flag finish. If the leader has taken the White Flag and the caution flag is displayed, the field is frozen and the race will not be restarted. Previously, there was only one restart attempt. The procedure applies to all three national series. See rule and notes on the Green-White-Checker rule page.

Wave-around rule: The wave-around rule dictates that cars under penalty at the time of the caution are ineligible for the wave around.

See Jayski's - 2012 Sprint Cup Race Results Page for pole winner, race winner with speed and starting/finishing position, links to race results, drivers & owners points, pit stall selections, qualifying results/starting lineup, practice speeds and chase stats as well as link to race track and race information page for each race

Happy Hour (final) practice for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top 5, slowest and notes:
#11-Hamlin 132.053
#20-Logano 131.683
#55-Vickers 131.551
#18-Busch 131.207
#56-Truex Jr. 131.157
slowest: #36-Raines 125.699 and #32-Olsen 127.369
notes: being televised on SPEED
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the New Hampshire Happy Hour practice speeds page (pdf).(9-22-2012)

First Saturday practice for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 60 scheduled minutes, the top 5, slowest and notes:
#11-Hamlin 131.656
#20-Logano 131.442
#48-Johnson 131.370
#56-Truex Jr. 131.338
#18-Busch 131.266
slowest: #36-Raines 124.292 (2 laps) and #32-Olsen 127.329 (49 laps)
notes: no TV coverage for this practice. Happy Hour practice is scheduled for 11:00 - 11:50am/et on SPEED
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the New Hampshire practice 2 speeds page (pdf).(9-22-2012)

Gordon wins pole at New Hampshire: #24-Jeff Gordon won the pole for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a speed of 134.911mph for his 2nd pole of 2012 and 72nd career pole (3rd best all time).
#18-Busch will start 2nd followed by #14-Stewart, #55-Vickers, #99-Edwards, #5-Kahne, #27-Menard, #39-Newman, #56-Truex, Jr. and #22-Blaney (Hornish Jr. will race the #22 car, so will fall to the rear of the field before the start on Sunday).
The go-or-go homers who made the race (8): #95-Speed, #98-McDowell, #91-Sorenson, #87-Nemechek, #79-Bires, #33-Leicht, #37-Yeley and #30-Stremme.
The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (4): #23-Riggs, #49-Leffler,#19-Green and #26-Wise (who qualified to make the race but the time was disallowed when the car failed post qualifying inspection as rear shocks exceeded limits).
Qualifying was not covered on TV but can be watched Froday night at 10:00pm/et on SPEED.
See qualifying results, starting lineup, pole progreession, go-or-go-homers on the New Hampshire Qualifying Page.(9-21-2012)

What happened to Hamlin in qualifying: #11-Denny Hamlin, who was fastest in Friday's lone practice with a speed of 134.820mph, went out last in qualifying for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and only ran a fast lap of 131.633mph and will start 32nd. #24-Gordon had just gone out before him and ran a pole-winning lap of 134-911mph. From a Toyota Racing Post-Qualifying Notes & Quotes PR:
Q) What happened during your qualifying lap?
Hamlin: "I knew something was wrong. It looked like we just -- we ended up having race pressures and we didn't put our qualifying pressures in, so that was a tough one. I knew something was really, really wrong because we were just -- the car was bobbing down real bad -- but simple mistake. We'll rebound from it. We're quick enough. We'll get them, but that's frustrating. Holy cow -- I knew something had to be wrong. If there was nothing wrong than I would really be shaking my head. At least we identified what the problem was."(Toyota Racing)(9-21-2012)

Where do the 12 Chase drivers start at New Hampshire?
[by current points standings]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski, starts 15th
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 20th
3) #14-Tony Stewart, 3rd
4) #11-Denny Hamlin, 32nd
5) #5-Kasey Kahne, 6th
6) #15-Clint Bowyer, 12th
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 14th
8) #16-Greg Biffle, 13th
9) #56-Martin Truex Jr., 9th
10) #29-Kevin Harvick, 16th
11) #17-Matt Kenseth, 25th
12) #24-Jeff Gordon, 1st..on the pole
(9-21-2012)

Qualifying Fast Facts - New Hampshire:
#24-Jeff Gordon won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 16th Annual Sylvania 300 with a lap of 28.232 seconds, 134.911 mph.
This is his 72nd pole in 681 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his second pole and 12th top-10 start in 2012.
This is his fourth pole in 36 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
#18-Kyle Busch (second) posted his 15th top-10 start of 2012 and his ninth in 16 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
#14-Tony Stewart (third) posted his 18th top-10 start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is his 10th in 28 races this season.
#33-Stephen Leicht (39th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(9-21-2012)

Coverage of Qualifying for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, September 21, 2012 at 3:40pm/et.
Radio: live online at goprn.com.
Television (TV): SPEED same day delay, 10:00pm/et
Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: none

Qualifying Order for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is posted. 47 cars/drivers are listed.
The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #36-Raines, slowest in practice.
The final driver scheduled to go out is #11-Hamlin, who was fastest in first practice.
Qualifying order is set by the first practice session, with slowest driver going out by speed and the fastest going out last. The non-top 35 drivers are now mixed in with the top-35 in owners points, slowest to fastest.
See the full qualifying order on the New Hampshire Qualifying Page.(9-21-2012)

Friday practice for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 90 scheduled minutes, the top 5, slowest and notes:
#11-Hamlin 134.820
#24-Gordon 134.174
#78-Smith 134.009
#14-Stewart 133.891
#29-Harvick 133.872
slowest: #36-Raines 128.199 and #32-Olsen 129.248
track record is: 135.232mph set in July 2011
notes: #14-Stewart amd #42-Montoya both spun in separate incidents just as practice started, neither suffered any major damage.
This practice will set the order for qualifying, which is scheduled for 3:40pm/et today, but will NOT be televised live but after the Truck Series race around 10:00pm/et. You can also listen to qualifying online at goprn.com or follow my Twitter @Jayski_NASCAR.
See speeds, best top-10 average and laps run on the New Hampshire practice 1 speeds page (pdf).(9-21-2012)

Go-or-Go Homers practice at New Hampshire: how fast/slow were the drivers who are not in the top-35 of owners points and must qualify by speed to make the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway , where they practiced in the first practice:
the eight drivers who would make the race if things stayed the same:
#95-Speed, 31st fastest overall
#98-McDowell, 33rd
#26-Wise, 34th
#91-Sorenson, 35th
#49-Leffler, 36th
#87-Nemechek, 38th
#79-Bires, 40th
#37-Yeley, 41st
the four drivers who would miss the race if things stayed the same:
#30-Stremme, 42nd
#33-Leicht, 43rd
#23-Riggs, 44th
#19-Green, 45th
(9-21-2012)

Rain Out Procedures: the rain-out qualifying procedure for all three NASCAR national series is as follows: If first practice is run, but qualifying is unable to take place, the starting lineup will be based on speeds from the car's fastest lap from the first practice, with top-35 cars in owner points no longer segregated from the non-top 35 cars. Previously, the top 35 cars lined up in front of all other eligible car owners.

The Entry List for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is posted, 47 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Mike Olsen is in the #32;
Not in top 35 of owners points:
#19-Jeff Green (45/21)
#23-Scott Riggs (44/25)
#26-Josh Wise (40/27)
#30-David Stremme (38/27)
#33-Stephen Leicht (37/27)
#37-J.J. Yeley (50/12)
#49-Jason Leffler (39/23)
#79-Kelly Bires (53/6)
#87-Joe Nemechek (42/27)
#91-Reed Sorenson (54/7)
#95-Scott Speed (43/10)
#98-Michael McDowell (41/27)
In the event that qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #'s 33,30,26,98,87,23,49,19
missing the race would be [4]: # 37,95,91,79
See the full entry list at my Jayski's New Hampshire Entry List

2012 Sprint Cup Driver Chase Championship Points Standings:
[after Chicago, race 27 of 36]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski [4 wins], 2056
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins], 2053, -3
3) #14-Tony Stewart [3 wins], 2048, -8
4) #11-Denny Hamlin [4 wins], 2041, -15
5) #5-Kasey Kahne [2 wins, 11th in points], 2041, -15
6) #15-Clint Bowyer [2 wins], 2041, -15
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [1 win], 2039, -17
8) #16-Greg Biffle [2 wins], 2037, -19
9) #56-Martin Truex Jr. [0 wins], 2035, -21
10) #29-Kevin Harvick [0 wins], 2032, -24
11) #17-Matt Kenseth [1 win], 2030, -26
12) #24-Jeff Gordon [1 win, 12th in points], 2009, -47
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on the Drivers Points Standings (pdf).(9-16-2012)

Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at New Hampshire:
#36 remains in 35th and is now 115 points ahead of 36th, the #21 team.
there virtually no chance the top-35 will change the rest of the season.
Rank) Car#-Driver/Team, owners pts, +/-
34) #32-Bell/FAS Lane Racing, 363 +130
35) #36-Blaney/Baldwin, 348 +115 ahead of 36th
these teams / drivers will need to qualify by speed:
36) #21-Bayne/Wood Bros., 233, -115pts out of the top 35
37) #33-Whitt/Childress-Falk, 220, 128
38) #30-Stremme/Inception, 191, -157
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see the Owners Points Standings (pdf).(9-16-2012)

Chassis selections for New Hampshire: see the list of many teams and what chassis were selected by the team to run at New Hampshire Motor Speedway:
MISSING? why are some teams missing? some teams do not report what chassis in the race previews, press releases of websites.
#1-Jamie McMurray: Crew Chief Kevin "Bono" Manion and the #1 Liftmaster team will use Chassis #1008 for New Hampshire. Chassis #1008 has been used previously this season at Richmond finishing 22nd.
#2-Brad Keselowski: and the #2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger team will race chassis PRS-829 during Sunday's Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS). This is a new chassis to the #2 fleet. The featured tag line on the rear bumper of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge this weekend at New Hampshire is "It's Miller Time." One of the most recognized marketing slogans in recent memory, "It's Miller Time" can be found within many popular culture references. MillerCoors decided to bring back the slogan earlier this year.
#5-Kasey Kahne: For Sunday's 300-lap event, crew chief Kenny Francis has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-663. This is the same car Kahne raced to the win at New Hampshire in July. Kahne also drove this chassis to a top-five finish at Richmond in April. In 17 Sprint Cup starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Kahne has one win, two top-five finishes and seven top-10s. Kahne collected his win in the most recent event at the track in July after leading 66 of 301 laps. He has started from the outside pole position four times at the Magic Mile, including the last two events. Kahne has led 273 career laps at New Hampshire and finished sixth in this race one year ago.
#9-Marcos Ambrose: the #9 Richard Petty Motorsports Stanly team has prepared chassis No. 728 for this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire. This Stanley Ford has only been used as a backup car and has not seen primary race action this season.
#10-David Reutimann will driver chassis No. 293 at New Hampshire. This weekend will be the first time he will drive the chassis. Teammate Dave Blaney drove chassis No. 293 eight times this season and five times during the 2011 season. Blaney's best start with the chassis was 17th at Richmond last season and best finish was 23rd at Phoenix this season. TBR purchased the chassis from Richard Childress Racing, where Jeff Burton drove the chassis prior to its debut with TBR.
#14-Tony Stewart: and crew chief Steve Addington are bringing Chassis Chassis No. 14-742 a brand-new racecar for Tony Stewart and the #14 team. Chassis No. 14-742 will make its first Sprint Cup start in the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon. However, the car has already turned its wheels on a racetrack, as it was tested Sept. 4-5 at the Milwaukee Mile. #15-Clint Bowyer: Primary chassis No. 718 won and was pushed to victory lane in Richmond on Sept. 8. The same car also started fifth, finished third and led a lap at New Hampshire in the Spring. Backup chassis No. 712 raced earlier this season in Phoenix and Richmond.
#16-Greg Biffle: and the Matt Puccia led #16 M / GE Appliances Ford Fusion team will bring Primary Chassis RK-822, which last ran Richmond and finished 9th in it's debut race. Backup chassis is RK-778 which last ran New Hampshire in July finished 9th.
#17-Matt Kenseth: will run primary chassis RK-806 at New Hampshire. This chassis last ran at Richmond in Sept. Zest will be the sponsor for Kensth at NHMS. Kenseth has an average starting position of 21.0 and an average finishing position of 14.0 at Loudon and has achieved one pole, five top-five, and 12 top-10 finishes at New Hampshire.
#22-Sam Hornish Jr. and his Todd Gordon-led Penske Racing #22 Team will be utilizing their "PRS-820" Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger this weekend at New Hampshire. This is the same car that Penske Racing teammate Brad Keselowski drove at Texas in April. In that race, the #2 Miller Lite Dodge started eighth and saw a strong top-five run end because of fuel system issues. Keselowski's team also utilized this Dodge Charger during a July test session at Michigan. The chassis has been sent back through the Penske Racing shop and updated with the latest components and adorned with the #22 Shell-Pennzoil color scheme prior to its return to action this weekend at New Hampshire. The "807" chassis will serve as the backup this weekend. It was in the #22 team transporter serving as the backup at Phoenix; both Bristol races Martinsville and the second Richmond race, but has never seen any track time to date.
#27-Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 349 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend's Sylvania 300. This Menards/Sylvania Chevy was raced earlier this season at New Hampshire in July where Menard finished 17th and Martinsville Speedway in April where he finished 26th.
#29-Kevin Harvick: will pilot Chassis No. 400 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend's SYLVANIA 300. Built new for competition during the 2012 season, this RCR Chevrolet will make its first competitive laps this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
#31-Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 382 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend's Sylvania 300. This #31 Wheaties Chevy was utilized in February at Phoenix where engine issues thwarted Burton's top-five run and relegated him to a 33rd-place finish. This was car also raced at Richmond in May where an on-track incident knocked Burton and the #31 team out of contention, forcing them to settle for a 31st-place finish. Most recently, Burton piloted this machine to a 21st-place finish at New Hampshire in July and he notched a top-10 finish at RIR two weeks ago, finishing sixth.
#39-Ryan Newman with one start already this season, Chassis No. 39-645 is no stranger to victory lane. In its first start in 2012, Newman drove this chassis to the winner's circle at Martinsville. The chassis also earned a 10th-place finish at New Hampshire in July. The chassis made four starts last year  two at Martinsville and two at New Hampshire. This chassis was also the race winner for Newman last July in Loudon, when Newman started on the pole and led 119 of 301 laps en route to his third victory at the track. In five total starts, chassis No. 39-645 has two victories, two poles (both at New Hampshire last year) and three top-10 finishes.
#42-Juan Pablo Montoya: crew chief Chris "Shine" Heroy and the #42 Energizer Chevy team will race with Chassis #1110 at New Hampshire. This chassis was used during several tests, but will make its race debut this weekend in Loudon.
#43-Aric Almirola:: The #43 Smithfield team has prepared chassis No. 804 for Loudon. This chassis ran previously at the team's first visit to New Hampshire earlier this season as well as at Richmond and Phoenix.
#48-Jimmie Johnson: Chassis No. 715 serves as the primary for Johnson at New Hampshire. It last ran at New Hampshire in July, starting 7th and finishing 7th. Chassis No. 689 serves as the backup and last ran at Richmond in September finishing 13th.
#55-Brian Vickers: will drive MWR chassis 715 which finished 15th with Vickers at New Hampshire in July.
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.: crew chief Steve Letarte and the #88 crew will unload Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 88-721 this weekend at New Hampshire. Earnhardt first raced this chassis to a fourth-place finish in July at New Hampshire. In 26 Cup starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Earnhardt has seven top-five finishes and 11 top-10s. He has an average start of 16.5 at the 1.058-mile oval and an average finish of 16.2. Earnhardt has led 351 laps there.
#99-Carl Edwards the #99 Aflac team will be bringing chassis RK-815 this weekend to New Hampshire. This car previously ran both Pocono races finishing 11th and seventh, and Darlington where Edwards finished seventh. In 16 NSCS starts at NHMS, Edwards has achieved two top-five and three top-10 finishes. Edwards' best finish at Loudon is second place, captured in July of 2006.
(from team PR's/sites if reported)(9-20-2012)

Tire: Goodyear Eagle Intermediate Radials

Number of Tires: Left-side -- 1,125; Right-side -- 1,125

Set limits: 5 sets for practice/qualifying and 8 sets for the race

Tire Codes: Left-side -- D-4564; Right-side -- D-4566

Tire Circumference: Left-side -- 87.5 in. (2,222 mm); Right-side -- 88.3 in. (2,242 mm)

Technical Inspection Inflation: Left Front -- 20 psi; Left Rear -- 20 psi;
Right Front -- 30 psi; Right Rear -- 30 psi

Minimum Recommended Inflation:
Left Front -- 12 psi; Left Rear -- 12 psi
; Right Front -- 30 psi; Right Rear -- 27 psi

Notes: This is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that NASCAR Sprint Cup teams ran at New Hampshire in July . . . this tire set-up came out of a Goodyear test at the track on May 8-9 . . . drivers at that test were Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Bobby Labonte, Paul Menard and Regan Smith . . . New Hampshire is the only track at which Sprint Cup teams will run either of these two tire codes . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at New Hampshire.