Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of two drivers who lead three categories of NASCAR's pre-race Loop Data statistics for New Hampshire.
Credit: Autostock
Closer Look: Loudon
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The field is set, the stage prepared.
Sunday's green flag at New Hampshire International Speedway marks the beginning of the 2006 Chase for the Nextel Cup, and storylines pop faster than dashboard gauges......
In The Loop
Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't begin his Cup career with New Hampshire on his list of favorites. Early finishes at the flat, 1.058-mile surface mirrored his frustration, but NASCAR's new Loop Data statistics illustrate his recent reversal of that trend.
Ahead of Sunday's Chase kick-off event, Earnhardt is one of two drivers who lead three categories of NASCAR's pre-race Loop Data statistics for New Hampshire. They are:
? Fastest in Turn 2: 114.567 mph
? Fastest in Turn 4: 114.320 mph
? Fastest Late in a Run: 125.070 mph
Earnhardt also ranks in the top five of seven other categories, including second in Fastest Early in a Run (125.416 mph), in Turn 1 (113.049 mph) and Turn 3 (115.970 mph).
How does this translate?
Earnhardt has five top-10 finishes in his last seven New Hampshire starts compared to just one top-10 finish in his first seven New Hampshire starts.