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Matt Crafton appears comfortable in Nationwide Series

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SM Staff
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Photo Credit: Kala Perkins/Speedway Media

Matt Crafton has accumulated 310 starts in the Camping World Truck Series. Driving the familiar No. 88 Menards Chevrolet, he is in the midst of the best season of his career. Currently, Crafton is leading the series standings by 41 points over second place and defending series champion, James Buescher.

Crafton is also on an amazing streak of 16 top-10 finishes in 16 races. Buescher and Ryan Blaney are the next closest competitors with ten top-10’s. Crafton has become one of the most consistent, dependable drivers in the history of the series.

In addition to his success this season in the truck series, Crafton has ventured into something he has wanted to do for a while – compete in the Nationwide Series. He made his series debut earlier this season at Kentucky Speedway driving the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.

Crafton’s debut was a success. He qualified eighth and finished a very respectable third. He followed that up with a tenth place finish at Chicago a few weeks later.

Richard Childress Racing has a very successful Nationwide Series program. Austin Dillon and Brian Scott race full time for the team. Dillon is currently in the middle of a tight championship battle sitting just 17 points behind series points leader, Sam Hornish. Scott, who sits seventh in the standings, recently had a dominating performance at Richmond International Raceway starting from the pole and leading 239 of 250 laps only to come up short at the end thanks to a late race caution.

Crafton stated earlier this season at Kentucky that, “I have been looking forward to the opportunity to drive in the series with great equipment for a long time.” Driving for RCR gives him that opportunity.

Given the off weekend for the Truck Series, Crafton has returned to Kentucky Speedway for the Kentucky 300, a standalone event for the series.

Crafton’s success continued Friday as he paced practice with a lap 173.740 mph edging out his RCR teammates Dillon, and Scott who were second and third respectively. A top-10 finish this weekend will give him the opportunity to achieve a perfect 100% stat in top-10’s this season in all of his NASCAR touring series starts.

Crafton seems to be right at home in the Nationwide Series cars, which could bode well for his future. Rumors are that Austin Dillon will be moving to the Sprint Cup Series next season. If that holds true, Crafton could be the perfect replacement to fill that seat in 2014.

The green flag will fall on the Kentucky 300 at 7:30pm local time on Saturday.

Matty’s Picks 2013 – Race 28 SYLVANIA 300 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway – September 22, 2013

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SM Staff
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Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images

The NASCAR silly season continues on to New England this week (I mean the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup) as we head to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the second time this season. The biggest news yet again this week is what is happening off-track rather than the second race of this 2013 season full of parody and certainly, DRAMA.

The Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) saga continued earlier this week as NAPA pulled the plug on sponsoring Michael Waltrip’s No. 56 NASCAR Sprint Cup team. On the company’s Facebook page, NAPA posted this statement: “After thorough consideration, NAPA has made the difficult decision to end its sponsorship arrangement with Michael Waltrip Racing effective December 31, 2013.” A huge statement considering NAPA had been with Michael Waltrip since he raced for Dale Earnhardt Inc. in the 2001 Daytona 500, also Waltrip’s first victory in the cup series.

The statement expanded on NAPA’s position in the sport and its position in the sponsorship, “NAPA believes in fair play and does not condone actions such as those that led to the penalties assessed by NASCAR. We remain supportive of the millions of NASCAR fans and will evaluate our future position in motorsports.”

Of course Michael Waltrip had something to say, “NAPA has been with me from winning two Daytona 500s, to missing races with a new start-up team, and back to Victory Lane again,” Waltrip said. “The relationship grew far past that of just a sponsor, but more of a partner and a friend. We will not be racing a NAPA car in 2014, but I have friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Now, the focus shifts to Martin Truex Jr. and what/if he can do anything to improve his situation in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. On Thursday, Truex spent time at a Woonsocket, Rhode Island NAPA store, and was the source of controversy just a day after it was made public that NAPA was pulling the plug on Truex’s boss. Poked by the media via Twitter, Truex remained professional saying he still had NAPA on the hood for Sunday’s race and was doing his duty as a representative of NAPA to meet with fans and store owners.

The next chapter in the MWR saga will be if/can Truex make a move to another race team because of the sponsorship issues, where will he go, and will NAPA come with him? The obvious seat for Truex would be the No.78 Furniture Row Racing team, a phone that has been ringing off the hook with interest given what the team has done in this 2013 by putting the single-car team into The Chase. The next few weeks will be interesting to see with Truex, Aaron’s will be sticking around, but 5-Hour Energy has still to release the results of their evaluation of their MWR sponsorship.

New Hampshire Picks

Winner Pick

I like back-to-back Joe Gibbs Racing winners to start the 2013 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Since we haven’t had back-to-back race winners yet this season, it’s not Matt Kenseth and since Denny Hamlin’s best finish in 3 months is a 18th place finish at The Brickyard, Kyle Busch has to be my Winner Pick this week.

Qualifying is fairly irrelevant at New Hampshire, so starting 12th is not deterring me from the guy who had the best 10-lap average in the first practice session on Friday at Loudon. The New Hampshire stats look good for Kyle, carrying the momentum and the confidence of being mentioned as a favorite for the Sprint Cup Championship. He’s won at New Hampshire before, brings an additional 5 top fives, and seven top tens to the table this week. Throw in the practice speeds, I’m sold on Kyle Busch as a Winner Pick this week.

Dark Horse Pick

Yet again have I picked the eventual pole-sitter on Thursday Night with Greg on the Prime Sports Network, and yet again will I stick with my Dark Horse pick from Thursday Night.
Ryan Newman claimed his 7th career pole at New Hampshire on Friday, his 51st career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pole. Considering the pole position has produced more New Hampshire race winners than any other starting position, I like my chances with Newman on Sunday. He’s got three wins at New Hampshire, an additional six top 5’s, and 15 top 10’s in 23 New Hampshire races. Newman likes Loudon, I like Newman as a longer play this week.

That’s all for this week, so until the saga continues in Delaware next week…..You Stay Classy NASCAR Nation!

Rain Possible For Sunday at New Hampshire

By
SM Staff
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Credit: Rainier Ehrhardt/ Getty Images

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series can’t escape from Mother Nature’s evil rainstorms. After last weekend in Chicagoland we had a 1-hour initial rain delay and then a 5-hour rain delay not allowing the checkered flag to fly until early Monday morning. Anyway, fasten your seat belt’s because the National Weather Service is predicting precipitation Sunday at New Hampshire.

The National Weather Service is saying: “Showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 AM EST, then a chance of showers, Chance of precipitation is 70%.

New Hampshire doesn’t have lights either so if rain does in fact come we could be looking at a Monday race or a late afternoon start. Remember NASCAR is still planning on a 1:13 PM EST start on Sunday, so don’t get your hopes down yet race fans, we hope this storm either blows over quickly or doesn’t come at all.

“Rocket Man” Ryan Newman starts on pole for Sunday’s Sylvania 300, setting a new track record for New Hampshire. Hendrick Motorsports driver, Kasey Kahne will start on the outside of the front row, Kahne’s teammate Jeff Gordon will roll off third.

The starting lineup for the 17th Annual Sylvania 300:
1.) Ryan Newman
2.) Kasey Kahne
3.) Jeff Gordon
4.) Kurt Busch
5.) Martin Truex Jr.
6.) Joey Logano
7.) Paul Menard
8.) Kevin Harvick
9.) Matt Kenseth
10.) Greg Biffle
11.) Jimmie Johnson
12.) Kyle Busch
13.) Aric Almirola
14.) Denny Hamlin
15.) Juan Pablo Montoya
16.) Clint Bowyer
17.) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
18.) Mark Martin
19.) David Ragan
20.) Brad Keselowski
21.) Danica Patrick
22.) Marcos Ambrose
23.) Jamie McMurray
24.) David Gilliland
25.) Jeff Burton
26.) Carl Edwards
27.) Michael McDowell
28.) Bobby Labonte
29.) Kenny Wallace
30.) Travis Kvapil
31.) Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
32.) Landon Cassill
33.) Kevin Swindell
34.) Casey Mears
35.) David Reutimann
36.) Joe Nemechek
37.) JJ Yeley
38.) Dave Blaney
39.) Tony Rains
40.) Scott Riggs
41.) Johnny Sauter
42.) Timmy Hill
43.) Josh Wise

Ford Chase Crew Chiefs Talk Loudon

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SM Archive
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Kimmel’s backup car on pole at rain-delayed Kentucky

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SM Archive
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It’s 4-Crown Nationals Time for Tracy Hines at Eldora Speedway

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SM Archive
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Memories made during a behind the scenes tour of MIS

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SM Archive
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INDYCAR CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATION TO BE HELD IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA A DAY AFTER SEASON FINALES

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SM Archive
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CHEVY NSCS AT LOUDON TWO: Newman on Pole, Post Qualifying Press Conf Transcripts

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SM Archive
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Ryan Newman Snags Sylvania 300 Pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway!

By
SM Staff
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Photo Credit: David L. Yeazell

Flat-track ace Ryan Newman stole the show in Cup qualifying with a blistering lap of 27.904 seconds….a new track record! Kasey Kahne will accompany Ryan on the front row with another pair of Chevy’s taking up row 2 with Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch. Martin Truex Jr. was the highest qualifying non-chaser in 5th and Carl Edwards has the worst starting spot among chasers in 26th.

Ryan Newman now has 51 NASCAR Sprint Cup poles; seven of which have come at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He’s won here three times here and a fourth win is definitely a possibility Sunday (or Monday pending Mother Nature’s plans…). Ryan is well known for his ability to muscle a car around flat tracks like Loudon, Indianapolis, Martinsville and Phoenix. In fact, his last four Cup victories dating back to 2010 have all come at tracks with little-to-no banking.

Chasers Starting Position

Ryan Newman (1st)

Kasey Kahne (2nd)

Jeff Gordon (3rd)

Kurt Busch (4th)

Joey Logano (6th)

Kevin Harvick (8th)

Matt Kenseth (9th)

Greg Biffle (10th)

Jimmie Johnson (11th)

Kyle Busch (12th)

Clint Bowyer (16th)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (17th)

Carl Edwards (26th)

In qualifying, there was one major incident and that involved Josh Wise who was attempting to make his 4th career start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It appears he broke a right front shock coming out of turn four which sent him barreling into the outside wall. He emerged from the car alright but his Ford Fusion wasn’t so lucky; he’ll start last and in a back-up car.

Brian Vickers wanted to focus on his efforts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series today so veteran racer Kenny Wallace got the opportunity to qualify the Aaron’s Dream Machine; he clocked in 29th but Brian will have to start at the rear of the field Sunday. He started 13th earlier this year when he won this race. Michael McDowell will be piloting the No.51 this weekend, Bobby Labonte is back in the No.47 and Kevin Swindell starts 33rd in his NSCS debut for Swan Racing. Scroll down to see the complete starting lineup for the 17th Annual Sylvania 300!

1.) Ryan Newman

2.) Kasey Kahne

3.) Jeff Gordon

4.) Kurt Busch

5.) Martin Truex Jr.

6.) Joey Logano

7.) Paul Menard

8.) Kevin Harvick

9.) Matt Kenseth

10.) Greg Biffle

11.) Jimmie Johnson

12.) Kyle Busch

13.) Aric Almirola

14.) Denny Hamlin

15.) Juan Pablo Montoya

16.) Clint Bowyer

17.) Dale Earnhardt Jr.

18.) Mark Martin

19.) David Ragan

20.) Brad Keselowski

21.) Danica Patrick

22.) Marcos Ambrose

23.) Jamie McMurray

24.) David Gilliland

25.) Jeff Burton

26.) Carl Edwards

27.) Michael McDowell

28.) Bobby Labonte

29.) Kenny Wallace

30.) Travis Kvapil

31.) Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

32.) Landon Cassill

33.) Kevin Swindell

34.) Casey Mears

35.) David Reutimann

36.) Joe Nemechek

37.) JJ Yeley

38.) Dave Blaney

39.) Tony Rains

40.) Scott Riggs

41.) Johnny Sauter

42.) Timmy Hill

43.) Josh Wise

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