Congratulations to the driver who’s old enough to join AARP but young enough to be fighting for the Sprint Cup championship, Mark Martin won the Sylvania 300, stop one in the 2009 Chase for the Championship in Loudon, New Hampshire. In a race that was dominated by first time chaser, Juan Montoya, the top four were all competitors keen on gaining an opening advantage in the Chase competition with Martin winning, Denny Hamlin in 2nd, Juan Montoya in 3rd and Jimmie Johnson in 4th. In a salvage mission for missing the chase, Kyle Busch finished 5th while older brother, Kurt Busch, came in 6th in his quest for the Cup. Ryan Newman, 7th, and Greg Biffle, 9th were other chase contenders in the all-important top 10. Brian Vickers was knocking on the door in 11th. Tony Stewart finished 14th knocking him off the pace with Jeff Gordon next in line at 15th and Carl Edwards in 17th. The one contender who faced absolute disaster was Kasey Kahne whose engine exploded after 66 laps putting him just ahead of the “Start and Park” brigade buried in 38th place.
Only 113 points separate Martin in first place and Carl Edwards in 11th to begin the Chase. Kasey Kahne has 161 points to make up and having to leapfrog the field, he appears to be the only casualty with nine races to go.
The tour comes to the Monster Mile in Dover for their next stop en route to Homestead in November. Dover with its high concrete banks, tight pit road, and tough reputation serves as a real mixer where competitive teams often come up bruised and beaten caught up in track tussles. Most experienced drivers have experienced both tremendous success and horrible failures in the Mid-Atlantic’s home track for Baltimore, Washington, DC. and Philadelphia.
Strategy will be key as Chase contenders attempt to avoid trouble to be poised to leap for the top five in the final laps. Yesterday’s results at New Hampshire show how even a 17th place finish can severely handicap a contender in such tight competition.
Only 113 points separate Martin in first place and Carl Edwards in 11th to begin the Chase. Kasey Kahne has 161 points to make up and having to leapfrog the field, he appears to be the only casualty with nine races to go.
The tour comes to the Monster Mile in Dover for their next stop en route to Homestead in November. Dover with its high concrete banks, tight pit road, and tough reputation serves as a real mixer where competitive teams often come up bruised and beaten caught up in track tussles. Most experienced drivers have experienced both tremendous success and horrible failures in the Mid-Atlantic’s home track for Baltimore, Washington, DC. and Philadelphia.
Strategy will be key as Chase contenders attempt to avoid trouble to be poised to leap for the top five in the final laps. Yesterday’s results at New Hampshire show how even a 17th place finish can severely handicap a contender in such tight competition.
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