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NASCAR: Winners And Losers From New Hampshire

By Cole Mentzel

Jul 17, 2016; Loudon, NH, USA; A general view of drivers as they go into turn two during the New Hampshire 301 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2016; Loudon, NH, USA; A general view of drivers as they go into turn two during the New Hampshire 301 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 17, 2016; Loudon, NH, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (24) drives down pit lane on a flat tire during the New Hampshire 301 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2016; Loudon, NH, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (24) drives down pit lane on a flat tire during the New Hampshire 301 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Hendrick Motorsports’ Momentum

After starting the season with competition from Joe Gibbs Racing, in terms of which race team in the best in NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports was running strong.

Jimmie Johnson picked up two wins (Atlanta and Fontana) to secure a Chase berth. Rookie Chase Elliott was exceeding expectations in the No. 24 car and Dale Earnhardt Jr. was racing for wins with a few second-place finishes in the books.

However, since the All-Star race at Charlotte, things have not been good for HMS.

Johnson hasn’t finished better than 12th and has had three big wrecks resulting in finishes below 30th. Elliott has hit struggles himself as he’s on a streak of four straight finishes of 21st or below.

Earnhardt Jr. is now on the brink of falling below the Chase as his concussion-like symptoms have him away from the action.

Lastly, Kasey Kahne, who is fighting for a spot in the Chase, has earned two of his six top-10’s on the season but has also had two finishes 25th or below.

Overall, it hasn’t been good for HMS and Sunday was another bad day as three of their drivers (Kahne, Bowman, Elliott) all took damage, leading to finishes below 25th place.

Next: One Final Season

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