Quest for the Cup Starts at the SYLVANIA 300
Loudon, NH — Twelve drivers will look to win the first race in the “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” during the SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 14, 2008.
In the four years since the inception of the “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup”, a championship contender has found himself in victory lane at the end of the SYLVANIA 300.
Last year Clint Bowyer claimed his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the September race in Loudon. He showed that the SYLVANIA 300 can be a critical turning point in a driver’s season, and an opportunity for any contender to boost his chances in capturing the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
The “Race to the Chase” is heating up, and the tension in the garage is mounting. With only six races until the championship field is narrowed down to 12, there are less than 100 points separating Greg Biffle in seventh place from Kevin Harvick in 13th. Every race is a chance to claim one of those spots. As the rest of the field battles it out, Kyle Busch continues surging ahead stretching his post-season advantage by gaining 10 points in the “Chase” standings every time he wins.
Heading into Pocono, Busch has won four more races than any of the current “Chase” contenders. Although Carl Edwards is second on the season in wins, he was docked 10 bonus points when his car failed to pass post-race inspection after his win at Las Vegas. Busch’s dominance currently gives him a 50 point advantage in the post-season standings over Edwards, Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne. Busch is looking to expand his already substantial lead before the “Chasers” make it to New Hampshire.
For Busch, starting the “Chase” at New Hampshire is beneficial – he won the LENOX Industrial Tools 300 in July of 2006. This September, Busch looks to win the first race of the post-season, leaving his competitors to battle it out in his wake like they have been forced to do so often this season.
All of the action unfolds September 11-14, during the SYLVANIA 300 weekend when the “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” gets underway at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Although the competitors have yet to be set, the anticipation of NASCAR’s postseason has already started. The SYLVANIA 300 is sure to be a knock-out fight for the drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
For more information, or to purchase tickets to the SYLVANIA 300 event weekend on September 11-14, go online to www.nhms.com/tickets/sylvania300/ or call the speedway Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931.
Sources: Fred Neegaard/New Hampshire Motor Speedway PR