Kenseth led the final 31 laps for the third consecutive win for Joe Gibbs Racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and his 38th career Cup victory.
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Matt Kenseth emerged as the victor, passing teammate Joe Gibbs Racing Denny Hamlin to assume control on the 1-mile track with 33 laps remaining. We’ve got to go through all those things.
After starting 18th, he got to the front in the final quarter and maintained his position over most of the remaining laps. Truex passed him, then Busch got the lead back and led the next 51.
Tony Stewart began what is one of his busiest weeks of the year in fine fashion on Sunday. “We want to be in first”, said Kenseth.
“What can I say?” he asked before praising Dixon and his Chip Ganassi Racing team. It really paid off. On it went until lap 257, with Busch or Truex pacing all but one of the laps.
Before he had even learned of the post-race inspection issues Sunday, Kenseth was asked about moving up to eighth in the points standings (which likely won’t hold after penalties are assessed in a day or two).
Can anyone cool off Rochester Hills’ red-hot Brad Keselowski? With the victory, the Red Wings swept the four-game series. Hamlin had the lead for four laps before Kenseth took over for good at lap 271, navigating the restart commotion that felled his comrades. It seemed like it took a couple laps after the restarts for the track to rubber back in, and I think it was the best tire that Goodyear has brought here that I can remember in the 18 years I’ve been here.
After combining to dominate most of the race, Busch and Truex struggled late. Truex ultimately finished 16th after breaking his shifter.
Another top-five finish for the suddenly-resurgent Biffle, who started his turnaround with a pole and solid finish at Daytona on July 4th weekend. Edwards faded to a 20th-place finish after involvement in a crash that forced the last of the race’s seven yellow flags.
BUESCHER SPINNER: The race’s second caution occurred on lap 101 when Chris Buescher spun out of turn two. At the same time, his HMS teammate Chase Elliott also wrecked. Joey Logano, who ran outside of the top 15 for most of the race, recovered to finish third.
The race starts at 12:30 p.m. Kenseth will keep the win and any penalties will be detailed later in the week. “It’s a thrill for us to be in there”, team owner Joe Gibbs said after Sunday’s victory.
There was a competition caution on lap 36 because of rain at the track earlier in the day.
NOTES: Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR moved Sunday’s schedule up by five minutes because of the prediction of rain in the area later in the afternoon.
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NASCAR Sprint Cup racer Matt Kenseth may have gotten to introduce his daughters to Loudon the Lobster-a huge live lobster presented to winners at New Hampshire Motor Speedway-but he has more to worry about than “will I get pinched?”
