Race 2 Win: Sylvania 300

Nextel Cup Series

New Hampshire International Speedway

Track data
Race #: 27 of 36 (9-17-06)
Track Size: 1.058 Miles
Event: Sylvania 300
Number of Laps: 300
Location: Loudon, NH
Length of Event: 317.40 Miles
Length of Front Stretch: 1,500 Feet
Degree of Banking in Corners: 12 degrees
Length of Back Stretch: 1,500 Feet
Degree of Banking on Straights: 2 degrees

Qualifying/Race data:
Last year's event pole winner: Tony Stewart 131.143 mph 9-16-05 29.043 seconds
Last year's event winner: Ryan Newman 95.891 mph 9-18-05 3 hr, 18 min, 36 sec
Track qualifying record: Ryan Newman 133.357 mph 9-12-03 28.561 seconds
Track race record: Jeff Burton 117.134 mph 7-13-97 2hr, 42 min, 35 sec

Historical data:
Previous winners at New Hampshire:
Jeff Burton (4) Jeff Gordon (3) Jimmie Johnson (2) Kurt Busch (2) Tony Stewart (2) Ryan Newman (2) Ricky Rudd (1) Rusty Wallace (1) Ernie Irvan (1) Joe Nemechek (1) Dale Jarrett (1) Robby Gordon (1) Ward Burton (1) Kyle Busch (1)
Races won from the pole: 2 of 23 events (9%)
Races won from in top 10: 12 of 23 events (52%)
Races won from outside top 10: 11 of 23 events (48%)

Track Milestones

Mark Martin won the first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Bud Pole at New Hampshire International Speedway in July 1993.

Rusty Wallace won the first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at New Hampshire, the 1993 Slick 50 300.

1997 was the first year for twice-a-year NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races at New Hampshire.

Jeff Burton led all 300 laps raced in the 2000 Dura-Lube 300, only the third time in the modern era that a driver has led all of the laps in a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race.

The 2001 New Hampshire 300 - the season finale – was run in November, after being rescheduled following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Qualifying Update
There have been 11 Bud Pole winners in 23 races at New Hampshire. Ryan Newman (four) and Jeff Gordon (three) lead Ricky Craven, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader and Rusty Wallace all who have two. Bill Elliott, Ernie Irvan, Bobby Labonte, Brian Vickers and Tony Stewart all have one. Qualifying has been canceled three times due to weather – all in the last 10 races.

Track Update
There have been eight different race winners in the past 11 races at New Hampshire. Kurt Busch (two), Jimmie Johnson (two) and Ryan Newman (two) are the only repeat race winners since 2000. Busch (2004) and Johnson (2003) are also the only drivers to sweep both races there since the implementation of twice-a-year racing there in 1997.

Manufacturer Update
Chevrolet won both New Hampshire races in 2003 and Ford won both in 2004 - the only manufacturer sweeps there since 1997. All three manufacturers have posted a victory in the last four races at New Hampshire.

The Money
Purse $5,259,809
NEXTEL Leader Bonus: $60, 000

Tire/Fuel Data
Goodyear Tire Codes: Left-side -- D-4038; Right-side -- D-4040
Other Nextel Cup Tracks At Which This Tire Combination Is Run: Phoenix and Richmond
Estimated Pit Window: Every 90-95 laps, based on fuel mileage

Would You Believe?
Jeff Gordon has led 1,070 laps at New Hampshire, leading in 15 of the 23 races and leading the most laps in six races – all more than any other driver. He has led just three laps in the past three races there; two in this race last year and one this past July.

More Lap Leaders
Jeff Gordon leads all other drivers, having led 1,070 laps at New Hampshire. He has led in 15 of his 23 races. Tony Stewart is second with 764 laps, leading in eight of his 15 races. Jeff Burton is third with 642 laps led in nine of 23 races, including all 300 laps raced in September 2000. Ryan Newman is fourth with 515 laps led in nine races – leading in all of his New Hampshire appearances.

Leading Worthwhile?

The driver that led the most laps has won the race at New Hampshire in 10 of the 23 races. However only three of the last 10 races at New Hampshire was won by the driver who led the most laps: Ryan Newman (2002 New Hampshire 300), Tony Stewart (2005 New England 300) and Kyle Busch (2006 Lenox Industrial Tools 300).

Jeff Gordon is the only driver that has led in 15 of the 23 New Hampshire races. He led the most laps in six of those races.

Jeff Burton led the most laps en route to victory in the 1997 Jiffy Lube 300 and again in the 1998 Jiffy Lube 300. He scored his third straight Jiffy Lube 300 victory in July 1999, but did not lead the most laps. He then led all 300 laps in posting his fourth victory at New Hampshire in the 2000 Dura-Lube 300.

Track Tidbits

The field will consist of 43 cars. The 43rd position is reserved for a past NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion, if needed. If unused, it will go to the next eligible owner.

The better of two qualifying laps will be used to determine the starting positions with the adjustments made afterwards as required.

There have been 23 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races at New Hampshire since the inaugural race there on July 11, 1993. There was one race per year prior to 1997 and twice-a-year races since.

Eleven different drivers have scored Bud Poles at New Hampshire. Ryan Newman leads all other drivers with four. Qualifying has been canceled three times.

Ryan Newman is the defending Bud Pole winner of the Sylvania 300.

Ken Schrader (1997) is the only driver to sweep both Bud Poles in a season at New Hampshire.

Only two of the 23 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races at New Hampshire have been won from the Bud Pole. Both wins from the pole were scored in the second race of the season: Jeff Gordon (1998 CMT 300) and Ryan Newman (2002 New Hampshire 300).

There have been 14 different race winners in the 23 races at New Hampshire. Jeff Burton (four), Jeff Gordon (three), Jimmie Johnson (two), Kurt Busch (two), Tony Stewart (two) and Ryan Newman (two) are the repeat race winners at the New England track.

Ryan Newman is the defending champion of the Sylvania 300.

The race winner started in the top 10 in 12 of the 23 races at New Hampshire, including five of the past eight.

The deepest in the field that a race winner has started was 38th by Jeff Burton in July 1999.

There have been two rain-shortened races at New Hampshire: 2000 Thatlook.com 300 (273 laps) and 2002 Sylvania 300 (207 laps).

There has been one overtime race at New Hampshire: the 2006 Lenox Industrial Tools 300. The eight-lap extension is the longest since the implementation of the green-white-checkered rule in 2004.

The 2001 New Hampshire 300 took place in November and was the final race of the season after being rescheduled following the September 11 terrorist attacks – the only postponed/rescheduled race at New Hampshire.

Jeff and Jeff Show – No More
Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon won five consecutive races at New Hampshire between the 1997 CMT 300 (July) and the 1999 Jiffy Lube 300 (July), with Burton posting three victories and Gordon two. Burton won again in September 2000. In the 11 races since that victory – they have posted just six top-10 finishes between them. Burton had three top-10s with a best finish of seventh this past July while Gordon also posted three while finishing second twice (July 2001 and July 2004).

The Same but Different
Jimmie Johnson has competed in nine races at New Hampshire and has an 8.67 average finish there – the best of all drivers with more than one New Hampshire race. His average start there is also 8.67. Johnson and Phil Parsons are the only of the 118 drivers that have competed at New Hampshire that their average start and average finish at the same. Parson started and finished 39th in the inaugural race there in July 1993. Oddly enough Johnson has never started and finished in the same position in the same race and has only one duplicate in his starts and finishes, starting eighth in September 2003 and finishing eighth in September 2005. He did start second and finish 11th twice (both races in 2004).

New Hampshire Milestones
Tony Stewart is expected to make his 275th career start at New Hampshire International Speedway. All of Stewart's starts have been consecutive.

New Hampshire Bud Pole Winner
Ryan Newman scored four Bud Poles in the last eight races at New Hampshire. His four Bud Poles are the most of any driver there. Qualifying was rained out in two of those eight races.

Different Race Winners
There have been four different race winners in the last four races at New Hampshire International Speedway.

New Hampshire Sweepers
Kurt Busch (2004) and Jimmie Johnson (2003) swept both races at New Hampshire, the only drivers to do so in the nine-year history of twice-a-year racing there.

Starting Up Front is Not Important at New Hampshire
Eleven of the 23 races at New Hampshire have been won from outside a top-10 starting position, including three of the last five.

Starting Up Front Difficult to Repeat at New Hampshire
Unlike other tracks, no active driver has been able to establish a current streak of top-10 starts at New Hampshire. The longest current streak of top-10 starts at New Hampshire is two held by Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart. Both of Stewart's starts were top-five starts.

Recent Dominance at New Hampshire International Speedway
Jimmie Johnson has posted top-15 finishes in all nine of his races at New Hampshire, the only driver to do so. He has two New Hampshire victories and his worst finish at the New England track is 15th, which came in his first race there (July 2002)

New Hampshire Streaks

Greg Biffle has posted three straight top-five finishes at New Hampshire, the longest current streak.

Matt Kenseth has posted eight straight top-15 finishes at New Hampshire.

Jeff Burton and Mark Martin have posted five straight top-15 finishes at New Hampshire.

Owner Wins at New Hampshire International Speedway
Jack Roush and Rick Hendrick have each scored six victories at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Leading The Way at New Hampshire
Jeff Gordon has led 1,070 laps at New Hampshire – leading in 15 of his 23 races, the most of all drivers. His closest competitor Tony Stewart, has led 764 – leading in eight of his 15 races. Ryan Newman has led 515 laps, leading in all nine of his New Hampshire appearances.

New Hampshire Standouts

Nine drivers have started all 23 races at New Hampshire International Speedway: Jeff Burton, Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, Sterling Marlin, Joe Nemechek, Ken Schrader and Michael Waltrip.

Ryan Newman scored four Bud Poles in his nine races at New Hampshire, the most of all drivers.

Jeff Burton leads all drivers with four victories at New Hampshire while Jeff Gordon has three.

Jeff Gordon leads all drivers with nine top-five finishes at New Hampshire.

Dale Jarrett leads all drivers with 14 top-10 finishes at New Hampshire.

Ryan Newman leads all drivers with a 6.0 average start in nine races at New Hampshire.

Jimmie Johnson leads all drivers with more than one race with an 8.66 average finishat New Hampshire.

Chase Drivers at New Hampshire (Ranked by Average Finish)
Driver Starts Average Finish Laps Led
Hamlin, Denny 1 6.000 1
Johnson, Jimmie 9 8.666 73
Busch, Kyle 3 10.666 107
Kenseth, Matt 13 10.923 85
Martin, Mark 23 10.956 395
Gordon, Jeff 23 12.782 1,070
Kahne, Kasey 5 12.800 49
Burton, Jeff 23 13.478 642
Harvick, Kevin 11 13.727 68
Earnhardt Jr., Dale 14 18.857 175

Who's Hot

Matt Kenseth has posted 13 top-five finishes in 2006 and ranks first in the point standings.

Matt Kenseth has posted four straight top-10 finishes, the longest current streak.

Kyle Busch has posted three straight top-10 finishes.

Jimmie Johnson has scored a top-15 finish in 22 of the 26 races in 2006, the most of all drivers.

Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to score 18 top-10 finishes in the first 26 races of 2006, two more than any other driver.

Kasey Kahne has won five races in 2006, the most of all drivers.

Denny Hamlin has scored top-15 finishes in 16 of the last 17 races.

Kevin Harvick has posted 10 straight top-15 finishes. Harvick has been running at the finish in the last 38 races, the longest current streak.

Top 10 in Points at This Track

First
Matt Kenseth finished eighth in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway, scoring his 16th top-10 finish in 2006. He has scored victories at California, Dover, second Michigan and Bristol this season. Kenseth remained first in the point standings, the first time in 2006 to lead the point standings for more than one race. Kenseth was also the point leader after Race No. 5 at Bristol and again after Race No. 8 at Phoenix. In each case he held the lead for just one race. He led Jimmie Johnson at the conclusion of the 26-Race to The Chase by 57 points. He begins the 2006 Chase with a five point lead over Johnson This marks his third straight year to compete in the Chase, just one of three drivers to do so. One year ago he began The Chase ranked ninth in the point standings. Kenseth finished eighth in 2004 and seventh in the 2005 final point standings. Kenseth has ranked among the top-five in the point standings since his victory in Race No. 2 at California, 25 straight races. Kenseth has been running at the finish in the last 20 races (since Texas in April). He has competed in 13 races at New Hampshire International Speedway, scoring eight top-10 finishes. He has been running at the finish in all of his 13 races at New Hampshire. He finished third in this race one year ago and 14th there in July. Kenseth has led in just three of his 13 races at New Hampshire. Kenseth has a 10.923 finishing average at New Hampshire. Kenseth has won at least one race each season for five consecutive years (2002-2006).

Second
Jimmie Johnson finished 23rd in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. He remained second in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. Johnson was the point leader after all but four of the 26 races in 2006 and trailed Matt Kenseth by 57 points at the conclusion of the 26-Race to The Chase. He begins the 2006 Chase five points behind first-place Matt Kenseth. This marks his third straight year to compete in the Chase, just one of three drivers to do so. One year ago he began The Chase fourth in the point standings. Johnson finished second in 2004 and fifth in the 2005 final point standings. This will mark the fifth straight season that Johnson has finished in the top-10 in the final standings. Johnson joins Hendrick teammates Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon in the Chase, giving car owner Rick Hendrick the most eligible drivers of any car owner. Johnson has scored 18 top-10 finishes in 26 races this season, two more than point leader Kenseth who has 16. He has scored four victories in 2006 (Daytona, Las Vegas, Talladega and Indianapolis). Johnson has scored 22 top-15s in the first 26 races, the only driver to do so. One year ago Johnson ranked fourth in the point standings, finishing the 26- race to The Chase 316 points behind then point leader and eventual champion Tony Stewart. Johnson has ranked among the top-10 for 95 straight races, since Atlanta in March 2004. Four races ago Johnson held a 124-point lead over Kenseth, the biggest point lead of the season. Johnson has been running at the finish in his last 26 races. Johnson has competed in nine races at New Hampshire International Speedway scoring two victories and five top-10 finishes. His last New Hampshire victory came in September 2003. Johnson has an 8.66 average finish at New Hampshire, ranking first among all drivers with more than one start there. He finished eighth in this race one year ago and ninth there in July. Johnson has been running at the finish in all nine of his races at New Hampshire but has led in just three of his nine races there. Johnson has won at least one race each season for five consecutive years (2002-2006).

Third
Kevin Harvick finished first in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway and remained third in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings for the fifth straight race. He trailed point leader Matt Kenseth by 304 points at the conclusion of the 26-Race to The Chase. He begins the 2006 Chase 10 points behind first-place Matt Kenseth. This marks Harvick's first year in the Chase and the first time Richard Childress has had a driver in the Chase since the program inception in 2004. Harvick is one of five “first-timers” to compete in The Chase. Harvick has ranked among the top 10 in the last 20 races, since Texas in April. One year ago he ranked 14th in the point standings after 26 races. Harvick has scored 14 top-10 finishes in 2006 and top-15 finishes in his last 10 races. Harvick has been running at the finish in the last 38 races, the longest current streak. He has competed in 11 races at New Hampshire International Speedway scoring six top-10 finishes. He finished 10th in this race one year ago and fifth there in July. He has led in six of his 11 races at New Hampshire. Harvick has a 13.727 average finish at New Hampshire.

Fourth
Kyle Busch finished second in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway and climbed from fifth to fourth in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. It was his third second-place finish of the season. One year ago Busch ranked 19th after 26 races. He trailed point leader Matt Kenseth by 361 points at the conclusion of the 26-Race to The Chase. He begins the 2006 Chase 15 points behind first-place Matt Kenseth. This marks Busch's first year in the Chase, one of five drivers new to The Chase. Busch has scored 15 top-10 finishes in 26 races in 2006. He has scored 11 top-15 finishes in the last 12 races. Busch has posted just one DNF in 2006, an accident at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Busch has been running at the finish in the last 14 races. Busch has competed in three races at New Hampshire International Speedway scoring two top-five finishes. He finished 27th in this race one year ago and first there in July. He has led in just one his three races there, leading 107 laps en route to his July victory. He has a 10.66 average finish at New Hampshire.

Fifth
Denny Hamlin finished 15th in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway and climbed from seventh to fifth in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. He trailed point leader Matt Kenseth by 437 points at the conclusion of the 26-Race to The Chase. He begins the 2006 Chase 20 points behind first-place Matt Kenseth. Hamlin is the first Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year contender to make The Chase since the programs inception in 2004. Carl Edwards competed in The Chase in 2005, but was not considered a rookie because he competed in 13 races in 2004. Hamlin has ranked among the top 10 in the last 20 races, since Texas in April. Hamlin has scored two victories in 2006, sweeping both races at Pocono Raceway. He has scored nine straight top-15 finishes. He has scored 13 top-10 finishes in 2006, the most among all rookie contenders. Hamlin has been the highest finishing rookie in 13 of the 26 races this season. Hamlin ended a streak of finishing on the lead lap in the last 16 races by finishing one lap down at Richmond. He has been running at the finish in the last 20 races. He has competed in one race at New Hampshire International Speedway scoring a sixth-place finish there in July.

Sixth
Dale Earnhardt Jr., finished 17th in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway and remained sixth in the point standings. Earnhardt trailed Matt Kenseth by 447 points at the conclusion of the 26- Race to The Chase. He begins the 2006 Chase 25 points behind first-place Matt Kenseth. This marks his second year to compete in the Chase. One year ago he ranked 17th in the point standings, missing the 2005 Chase by 216 points behind then 10th-place Ryan Newman. He finished fifth in final points in the 2004 inaugural year of “The Chase.” Earnhardt finished 19th in the final standings in 2005. He has scored 18 top-15 finishes this season. Earnhardt has scored one victory in 2006, winning at Richmond in May. He has competed in 14 races at New Hampshire International Speedway scoring six top-10 finishes. He finished fifth in this race one year ago, posting one of three top-five finishes at New Hampshire. He has been running at the finish in 11 of his 14 of his races there. Earnhardt has an 18.857 finishing average at New Hampshire, the worst finishing average among The Chase drivers. He has led in five of his 14 races at New Hampshire.

Seventh
Mark Martin finished fifth in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway and climbed from ninth to seventh in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. He trailed point leader Matt Kenseth at the conclusion of the 26-Race to The Chase by 449 points. He begins the 2006 Chase 30 points behind point leader Matt Kenseth. This marks his third straight year to compete in the Chase, just one of three drivers to do so. One year ago he began The Chase ranked sixth in the point standings. Martin finished fourth in 2004 and fourth again in the 2005 final point standings. He has had only one DNF (Talladega in October 2005) in the 51 races since Dover in June 2005. He has been running at the finish in the last 33 races. He has scored 13 top-10 finishes in 23 races at New Hampshire International Speedway. He finished seventh in this race one year ago and fourth there in July. Martin has a 10.956 average finish at New Hampshire. He has led in seven of his 23 races New Hampshire. Martin has not won a race since his victory at Kansas in October 2005, 33 races ago.

Eighth
Jeff Burton finished ninth in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway and climbed from 10th to eighth in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. He trailed point leader Matt Kenseth by 463 points at the conclusion of the 26-Race to The Chase. He begins the 2006 Chase 35 points behind first-place Matt Kenseth. This marks Burton's first year in the Chase and the first time Richard Childress has had a driver in the Chase since the programs inception in 2004. Burton is the second Childress driver to make The Chase, joining teammate Kevin Harvick (third). Burton has posted 21 top-15 finishes in 2006. He has scored 15 top-10 finishes in 26 races this season. One year ago he ranked 21st in the point standings after 26 races. Burton has competed in all 23 races at New Hampshire International Speedway scoring four victories, the most of all drivers. His last New Hampshire victory came in September 2000. He finished ninth in this race one year ago and seventh there in July, extending a streak of five straight top-15 finishes there. He has led in nine of his 23 races at New Hampshire. Burton has a 13.478 average finish at New Hampshire.

Ninth
Jeff Gordon finished 31st in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway and dropped from fourth to ninth in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings, the biggest drop among the top 10. Gordon trailed Matt Kenseth by 464 points at the conclusion of the 26-Race to The Chase. He begins the 2006 Chase 40 points behind first-place Matt Kenseth. This marks his second year to compete in the Chase. One year ago he ranked 12th in the point standings, missing the 2005 Chase by 83 points behind then 10th-place Ryan Newman. He finished third in final points in the 2004 inaugural year of “The Chase.” Gordon finished 11th in the final standings in 2005. Gordon has scored two victories in 2006, winning at Infineon and Chicago. His four DNFs in 2006 are the most of any driver in the top-10. Gordon has scored 17 top-15 finishes in 25 races in 2006. Gordon has three victories and 12 top-10 finishes in his 23 races at New Hampshire International Speedway. Gordon finished 14th in this race one year ago and 15th there in July. Gordon's last victory at New Hampshire came there in September 1998. Gordon has led 1,070 laps in his 23 career races at New Hampshire, ranking first among all drivers.

10th
Kasey Kahne finished third in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway and climbed from 11th to 10th in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. Kahne made The Chase beating 11th-place Tony Stewart by just 16 points. He trailed point leader Matt Kenseth by 466 points at the conclusion of the 26- Race to The Chase. He begins the 2006 Chase 45 points behind first-place Matt Kenseth. This marks Kahne's first year in the Chase and the third straight year that Evernham Motorsports has had a driver in The Chase since the programs inception in 2004 (Mayfield 10th in 2004 and ninth in 2005). Kahne has scored five victories in 2006, the most among all drivers. Kahne has posted 16 top-15 finishes in 2006. He has scored 14 top-10 finishes in 26 races this season. One year ago he ranked 20th in the point standings after 26 races. Kahne has competed in five races at New Hampshire International Speedway scoring four top-10 finishes. He finished 38th in this race one year ago, his only DNF at New Hampshire. He finished eighth there in July. He has led in two of his five races at New Hampshire. Kahne has a 12.8 average finish at New Hampshire.

The Chase
2004 - Week No. 1, Race No. 27 - Kurt Busch won the Sylvania 300 and led the most laps in the first race in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, earning 190 points. Jeremy Mayfield and Tony Stewart were involved in an early accident, both failed to finish the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr., finished third and led laps, leaving him tied with Busch in the point standings - both with 5,210. Earnhardt, was the point leader based on the tie-breaker (four victories for Earnhardt; three for Busch.

Five of the 10 drivers in The Chase posted top-10 finishes in the Sylvania 300.

The 10 drivers in The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup were separated by just 142 points.

Nine of the 10 drivers in The Chase changed positions at New Hampshire International Speedway.

The Chase - Past Races
2005 - Week No. 1, Race No. 27 - Ryan Newman won the Sylvania 300 after Tony Stewart had dominated most of the race. Newman led three times for 66 laps, taking the lead the final time with two laps to go. Stewart led six times for 173 laps but had to settle for the runner-up finish. Stewart held the point lead he had enjoyed since Indianapolis, this week with a margin of 20 points over Greg Biffle.

Seven of the 10 drivers in The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup posted top-10 finishes.

Eight drivers in the top-10 in points changed positions.

All 10 Chase drivers were running at the finish. Kurt Busch (35th) posted the lowest finish among the Chase drivers.

Season Nuggets

Race No. 27 at New Hampshire marks the first of the 10 races in the 2006 Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.

After 26 races in 2004, eight drivers finished “The Race to The Chase” within the 400-point window. In 2005 and again in 2006, four drivers finished within the 400-point window.

Five drivers in the top 10 finished the 26-Race to the Chase separated by just 14 points or less.

Six different car owners are represented in the 2006 Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup: Hendrick Motorsports (Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon), Jack Roush Racing (Matt Kenseth and Mark Martin), Richard Childress Racing (Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton), Joe Gibbs Racing (Denny Hamlin), DEI (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) and Evernham Motorsports (Kasey Kahne).

Seven Chevrolets, two Fords and one Dodge will compete in the 2006 Race for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.

Eleventh-place Tony Stewart has a 264-point lead over 12th-place Greg Biffle.

Jimmie Johnson has scored 18 top-10 finishes in 26 races in 2006 - two more than any other driver.

All 26 victories in 2006 have been scored by drivers ranked in the top-14 in the point standings. Mark Martin (seventh) and Jeff Burton (eighth) are the only two drivers among the top 10 yet to score a victory in 2006.

Jeff Gordon is the only driver to lead in 18 of the 26 races this season and leads all drivers, scoring 105 lap leader bonus points, five more than points leader Matt Kenseth.

Denny Hamlin has posted five straight top-10 starts, the longest current streak. Hamlin has posted 10 straight top-15 starts, also the longest current streak. Kevin Harvick has posted nine straight top-15 starts.

After winning only three races in all of 2005, Dodge has won six of the 26 races in 2006. Chevrolet has 15 victories while Ford has just five. One year ago Ford had 11 victories at this point of the season.

Three of the top-10 in driver points have been running at the finish in every race in 2006: Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick and Mark Martin.

Jeff Gordon has posted four DNFs - the most of any driver ranked in among the top 20.

NASCAR Rookie-of-the-Year contender Denny Hamlin has scored top-10 finishes in 13 of the 26 races in 2006 (50 percent). He has scored 16 top-10s in 33 career races - 48 percent. He has scored top-10 finishes in seven of the last eight races and 16 top-15 finishes in the last 17 and has been the highest finishing rookie in 13 of the 26 races in 2006 (50 percent).

At least one rookie has scored a top-15 finish in every race this season. In 20 of the 26 races a rookie finished in the top 10 (77 percent). In eight races, two or more rookies finished in the top 10.

Seven of the top 11 and 15 of the top-25 drivers changed point positions at Richmond International Raceway.

Qualifying - Tidbit
Kurt Busch has five Bud Poles this season, and posted back-to-back Bud Poles (second Bristol and California). That is the only back-to-back Bud Poles by a driver this season.

The Races

Seventy drivers have competed in at least one race in 2006; 32 have competed in every race.

There have been five green-white-checkered finishes this season; Daytona (which finished under caution), California, Las Vegas, Chicago and New Hampshire.

Four races have ended under caution in 2006, including both Daytona events.

There have been seven races with red-flag periods in 2006: Bristol, Martinsville, Texas, Phoenix, Pocono, Michigan, Sonoma.

On 43 occassions, including three in the Daytona 500 qualifiers, drivers have dropped to the rear before the start of a race this season; only 12 drivers have done so more than once.

Of the times that a driver has dropped to the rear, the finish improved on the start of record (qualifying position) 24 times.

No one dropped to the rear at either Bristol, Martinsville or either Pocono.

Races - Would You Believe?
There have been 18 green-white-checkered finishes since the rule was implemented in 2004. The 2006 Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire was extended eight laps - the most laps since that time. The previous ?longest overtime' was the 2005 Aaron's 499 at Talladega, which ran six laps beyond the scheduled number.

Finishes

There have been 11 different race winners in 2006; seven have won more than once.

Kasey Kahne (five), Jimmie Johnson (four), Matt Kenseth (four), Kevin Harvick (three), Tony Stewart (two), Jeff Gordon (two) and Denny Hamlin (two) are the multiple race winners in 2006.

The average finish for the Bud Pole winner (or driver that started first ) this season is 14.81.

The average start for the race winner this season is 7.73.

Eleven races this season have been won from a top-10 starting position, including five from the Bud Pole.

The deepest in the field that a race winner has started this season is 31st by Matt Kenseth at California in February.

Matt Kenseth is the only driver to post 13 top-five finishes this season, two more than any other driver.

Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to post 18 top-10 finishes this season, two more than any other driver.

Jimmie Johnson (9.23) and Matt Kenseth (9.46) are the only drivers to compete in every race this season and average a top-10 finish over those races.

Kyle Petty has an average finish of 28.69 - the worst average finish of the drivers that have competed in every race this season.

Qualifying

Eighty-five drivers have attempted to make the field for at least one race in 2006 (including Ricky Rudd who qualified for Tony Stewart at Dover).

There have been 11 different Bud Pole winners in 2006. Kurt Busch (five), Kasey Kahne (four), Jeff Burton (four), Denny Hamlin (three), Greg Biffle (two) and Ryan Newman (two) are the repeat Bud Pole winners this season.

Kurt Busch (Bristol and California) posted the first back-to-back Bud Poles in 2006.

Qualifying was canceled at Bristol.

Kurt Busch has posted 18 top-10 starts this season, more than any other driver.

Kurt Busch (8.50) has the best average start of all drivers that have competed in every race this season.

Two drivers have an average start of 10th or better to this point of 2006: Kurt Busch (8.50), Jeff Gordon (9.73).

Only six of the 32 drivers that have competed in every race this season have posted top-10 starts in at least half of their races.

Kyle Petty (32.31) has the worst average start of all drivers that have competed in every race this season.

Jeff Gordon has gone 46 races without scoring a Bud Pole - the longest streak in his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup career.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (5.75) has the best improvement of his average finish over his average start of all drivers that have competed in every race this season.

Kurt Busch (-8.19) has the worst ratio of his average start to his average finish of all drivers that have competed in every race this season.

Only four drivers in the current top 40 in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings have yet to post a DNF this season - including Scott Riggs who has competed in one less race than the rest.

Three drivers in the top-26 in points have failed to finish in more races than they have posted top-10 finishes: Martin Truex Jr., Robby Gordon and Bobby Labonte.

The Bud Pole winner (or driver that started first) has posted a top-10 finish in 11 races this season - five were victories: Kasey Kahne at Atlanta, Texas and Michigan and Denny Hamlin both races at Pocono.

Kasey Kahne has won from the Bud Pole in four of his six NASCAR NEXTEL Cup victories, inclduing three times this season. He has two other top-five finishes when he has started from the Bud Pole and his worst was 21st. Kahne's average finish in the races in which he has won the Bud Pole is 7.00.

Something to Shoot At?
Jimmie Johnson has won at least three races a season since he posted his first victory in 2002. He is the only driver in the modern era to win at least three races in each of his first five full-time seasons. Kurt Busch has won at least three races in his first four full-time seasons and has one victory so far this season.

Bud Pole to Victory Lane
Kasey Kahne's and Denny Hamlin's victories from the Bud Pole at Michigan and Pocono mark the first time that back-to-back races have been won from the Bud Pole since Jeff Gordon did so at Sonoma and Daytona in 2004.

Lap Leaders

Jeff Gordon is the only driver to lead in 18 races this season. Gordon has earned 105 lap-leader bonus points - five more than points leader Matt Kenseth.

Twelve different drivers have led the most laps in at least one race this season.

Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart have each led the most laps in four races. Jeff Gordon (three), Matt Kenseth (three), Denny Hamlin (two), Jeff Burton (two), Kasey Kahne (two) and Kyle Busch (two) are the other drivers that have led the most laps more than once.

The driver that led the most laps in the race went on to win that race 10 times this season.

Every driver that has completed in every race this season have led at least one lap.

Lucky Dogs

Forty-two drivers have been the beneficiary of the free lap back rule in 2006; including Kurt Busch (Bristol) and Kasey Kahne (Michigan), who received the lap back and went on to win the race.

A driver has received the pass back more than once in the same race 27 times this season, including Kyle Busch, who set the all-time record of five times at Watkins Glen.

Car Owner
Petty Enterprises has posted five top-10 finishes in 2006. The last time that Petty drivers posted more than three top-10s in a season was 1999: John Andretti (10) and Kyle Petty (nine). Two Petty cars qualified in the top 10 at second Bristol (Bobby Labonte - third) and Kyle Petty - eighth) - the first time Petty Enterprises has had two top-10 qualifiers since Talladega in October 2001 (John Andretti - seventh and Kyle Petty - eighth)

Points

There have been six changes among two drivers in the points lead this season.

There have been nine changes among six drivers in the second position in the points this season.

Matt Kenseth, resumed the lead in points following second California - the third time this season that he has held the top spot in the point standings.

Jeff Gordon returned to the top 10 following Las Vegas after a 14-race absence, the longest streak outside the top 10 since his full time career began in 1993.

Jeff Burton returned to the top-10 of the point standings following Las Vegas, ending a 90-race absence that dated to Pocono in July 2003. He moved into the top five following Chicago - his first time in the top five since Las Vegas in 2003.

Three drivers will finish in the top-10 in the final point standings for the first time in their careers in 2006: Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Kasey Kahne.

Points - Would You Believe?
Denny Hamlin will finish in the top-10 in point this season - the first time that a rookie candiate has finished in the final top 10 since Jimmie Johnson finsished fifth and Ryan Newman sixth in 2002 .