NASCAR News and Notes from New Hampshire Motor Speedway

It is a bright and sunny morning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and there is plenty of action on and off the track.  The Whelan Modified and Cup cars have been out early for their practices and the "King" Richard Petty is holding court in the media center.

In the Cup practice, the top five are somewhat surprising.  Reed Sorenson leads the pack, with Joe Nemechek and Casey Mears just behind.

Martin Truex, Jr. and David Reutimann round out the top five in this practice.  Jimmie Johnson is in sixth, Jeff Gordon in 14th, and Tony Stewart, in his backup car, practiced in the 23rd position.

The Nationwide cars have also just taken to the track for their qualifying session.  After they qualify, the Cup cars will return for their "Happy Hour" session.

The NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour New England 100 is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 PM.  The Nationwide series will follow at 3:00 PM in their Camping World RV Sales 200 presented by Turtle Wax race.

Two Cup drivers, Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman, are scheduled to run the Modified race.  This will be the first time that Kahne has ever done so.  Both Cup drivers will be battling Doug Coby, who has secured the pole for the race.

In 19 years and over 22 races, there has never been a repeat winner in the Nationwide race.  Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Joe Nemechek, Jason Keller, Kenny Wallace, Derrick Cope, and Bobby Hamilton, Jr. all have a chance to end this streak in today's race.

Festivities at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will wrap up with a Speedway Charities Track Walk at 5:30 PM.  The Speedway is also participating in another charitable promotion, where ten finalists in the Extra Mile Heroes Contest will be competing for cash donations for their favorite charities.

Other notes and news include New Hampshire Motor Speedway's newest addition, a new mascot.  The Oval Moose, affectionately named "Milo," was introduced by the Speedway this weekend and is pictured above.

Students are also being featured at the Speedway.  Those studying journalism from Franklin Pierce University Fitzwater Center are in the media center gaining experience in how it truly is to cover the sport.

NHMS has also gone green for the weekend.  The 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid is serving as the pace car and the new Green Team Initiative has green recycling barrels placed all around the speedway.

Most important, the Cup race in New Hampshire is the first event in the Race to the Chase.  The next ten races will determine who is in and who is out in the run for NASCAR's coveted championship.

Four-time Cup Champion Jeff Gordon commented, "This first race for the Chase is very important and this is a very important track."

"We are in a position in the points where we can be a bit more risky," continued Gordon. "We need to get the car dialed in this weekend so when we come back for the next race, we will be ready."

To say there is a myriad of activities at New Hampshire this weekend is an understatement.  There are still tickets available for the weekend's events, so fans who are interested can contact the Speedway at [phone] or online at www.nhms.com.

Everyone at the track is keeping their fingers crossed that the blue skies and puffy clouds will remain and the thunderstorms that are predicted will stay away.  But for now, it is a gorgeous, picture perfect day in Loudon, NH.

Photo Credit:  Gary Buchanan