LOUDON, N.H. – Known as the “Magic Mile,” New Hampshire Motor Speedway will host this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race. Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports drivers look to claim the organization’s 10th win at the track.
- Over the years, Hendrick Motorsports has accumulated nine wins, seven pole positions, 43 top-five finishes, 77 top-10s and 2,561 laps led at New Hampshire. Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon are among the nine drivers tied for the second-most wins all-time at the track with three apiece. Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne and Mark Martin captured the organization's other three wins at the venue.
- As the weather has gotten hotter, the performances have been heating up as well. In the last 10 races, the organization leads the NASCAR Cup Series with three pole positions and four runner-up results. Its two wins, 12 top-five finishes, 20 top-10s and 580 laps led in that span are second-best among all teams, as is the organization's average finish of 12.58. Also, with positive performances on the track, currently all drivers for Hendrick Motorsports are in playoff contention.
- In his five starts at the Loudon, New Hampshire, track, Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, already claims one top-five finish and has led 24 laps. In his past seven races this season, the 23-year-old driver owns the seventh-most stage points earned with 50. He also has led at least one lap in the last five of those seven races.
- Even with just one Cup Series appearance under his belt at New Hampshire, William Byron has seen his fair share of success at the track. Last season, he qualified 11th and was able to capture a top-15 finish in his first Cup appearance at the venue. He owns a win at New Hampshire in both the Truck Series and the K&N Pro Series. While it might be only Byron's second Cup start at the venue, his seven-time champion crew chief Chad Knaus will be looking for his fourth win at the track.
- In his storied career, Johnson has found Victory Lane at New Hampshire Motor Speedway three times including a sweep of the 2003 events when the NASCAR Cup Series raced there twice a season. The seven-time Cup Series champion also has one pole position at the venue, which he scored in 2016. If Johnson were to claim the victory this weekend, it would tie him for the all-time record at the track.
- This weekend, Alex Bowman goes back to where it began. The track is where he made his Hendrick Motorsports debut behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 substituting for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Since then he has earned one win, two poles, seven top-five finishes, 20 top 10s and led 456 laps with the organization. Over the last nine events, the driver is tied for first with Busch for the best average finish in the Cup Series. Bowman is set to make his eighth Cup start at New Hampshire this weekend. The Tucson, Arizona, native earned his best start (eighth) and best finish (11th) at the track last season.
With these insights in mind, be sure to check out the drivers as they hit the track for the 301-mile race this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN.