| Next stop on the Nextel Cup Schedule is Richmond | | | | into next week's race at New Hampshire, can Jimmie |
| International Raceway | | | | Johnson maintain his momentum? |
| Well folks, the NASCAR version of the playoffs is | | | | Remeber the start to the Chase in 2006 where |
| here. We are gearing up for a 10-week showdown | | | | Johnson finished in 39th position. The poor start |
| that features a star-studded cast of drivers (unless | | | | forced Johnson to climb from the back of the pack |
| your fans of Dale Earnhardt Jr), and promises to be | | | | to win the 2006 Championship. Imagine if Johnson is |
| one of the greatest finales to a NASCAR season in | | | | able to start this year's Chase on the good foot. He |
| its rich history. | | | | could do what few other drivers in NASCAR's rich |
| The first stop on the playoff rotation is New | | | | history have done, win back to back championships. |
| Hampshire International Speedway for the Sylvania | | | | Dale Earnhardt Jr Earns Respect |
| 300. NHIS is a challenging, flat 1.058 mile oval track. If | | | | Driving like a bat out of hell, Dale Earnhardt Jr drove |
| you recall the 2006 Chase, New Hampshire is the site | | | | with more fire and determination than any other |
| of Jimmie Johnson's early stumble. | | | | driver on the track. |
| Of all the drivers in the Chase, Denny Hamlin has had | | | | Starting in the 21st position and suffering setbacks |
| the most luck at New Hampshire. In 3 starts there, | | | | due to bad pitstops made by his team, Earnhardt |
| Denny has an average finish of 4th. | | | | seemed to be the only person on his team who |
| Average Finishes for Remaining Drivers in the Chase: | | | | cared to be in the Chase. He was a lone wolf on the |
| Jeff Gordon - 11th | | | | track making his way to the front. He would have |
| Tony Stewart - 13th | | | | finished in the top 5, but guess what. Another DEI |
| Carl Edwards - 14th | | | | engine failure with only a few laps remaining doomed |
| Matt Kensenth - 10th | | | | his night. |
| Jimmie Johnson - 11th | | | | Couple the passion and talent Earnhardt displayed in |
| Jeff Burton - 10th | | | | the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 with the superior |
| Kyle Busch - 16th | | | | engineering and teamwork of Hendrick Motorsports |
| Clint Bowyer - NA | | | | and I think it's a given that Jr will be in the Chase |
| Martin Truex, Jr. - 14th | | | | come 2008. |
| Kurt Busch - 16th | | | | Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at Richmond International |
| Kevin Harvick - 12th | | | | Raceway Recap |
| Next Week's Schedule: | | | | The Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at Richmond |
| (all times EST) | | | | International Raceway was racing at it's finest. With |
| Nextel Cup at New Hampshire International | | | | nothing to gain for most drivers and nothing to lose |
| Speedway - ESPN | | | | for some, the only thing drivers were gunning for |
| 09/14/07 - 03:14am Slyvania 300 Qualifying | | | | Saturday night was a win. Most of the action came |
| 09/15/07 - 11:30am Slyvania 300 Practice | | | | as both Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jeff Gordon challenged |
| 09/16/07 - 02:00pm Slyvania 300 | | | | Jimmie Johnson for the win. A win for Dale Earnhardt |
| Busch Series off until September 22nd at Dover | | | | Jr would have meant a possible birth into the Chase |
| International Speedway | | | | while a win for Gordon would ensure him a top seed |
| Craftsman Truck Series at New Hampshire | | | | in the Chase. |
| International Speedway | | | | In the end, Jimmie Johnson was able to pull away |
| 09/14/07 - 10:05am New Hampshire 200 Qualifying | | | | from Gordon and Earnhardt along with the other |
| 09/14/07 - 01:45pm New Hampshire 200 Practice | | | | guys jockying back and forth between positions 2 |
| 09/15/07 - 03:00pm New Hampshire 200 | | | | through 5. Drivers Kurt Busch and Kevin Harvick did |
| Johnson Leads Captures 6th win of the Season and | | | | just enough to ensure their places in the Chase. And |
| Top Seed in the Chase | | | | Earnhardt Jr, despite his valiant efforts, was left only |
| After being silent for much of the evening, Jimmie | | | | to ponder what life will be like racing for the owner |
| Johnson made his surge to the front of the field late | | | | that has dominated the 2007 season thus far. |
| in the race when it counted most. By capturing his | | | | Other 2007 NASCAR Drivers to Note: |
| 6th win of the season, Johnson gained momentum | | | | Series leader, Jeff Gordon challenged for the win and |
| and secured the top seed in the Chase. | | | | led a large portion of the Chevy Rock and Roll 400. |
| Over the last 6 races, Johnson has been a man on | | | | However, in the end, the team wasn't able to make |
| the move. He has averaged a 5th place finish over | | | | enough adjustments to keep the car out on top. |
| that stretch including 2 wins. The question is heading | | | | |