Dustin Off The Next Race: Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire

It's time for NASCAR to work a little magic. This Sunday, New Hampshire's "Magic Mile" will welcome the Sprint Cup Series for the first of their two races for the season.

Last year, rain decided to play a factor in who would take the win, while the second race saw a savvy veteran use some tricks of his own to gain victory. This one-mile oval is flat, sweeping, and can play havoc for everyone if the setup is not right.

There's no right turns on this track, just making lefts to get the victory. Allow me to dust off my picks for the Lenox Industrial Tools 301.

FAVORITES

Jeff Burton

In the late 1990s, when NASCAR came to New Hampshire, everyone looked to Burton and his then-Roush team to be atop the list for drivers to watch. Between 1997 and 2000, Burton got four wins and finished no lower than 14th.

In the fall 2000 event, the only time restrictor plates were used outside of Daytona and Talladega, Burton led all 300 laps in his victory.

Recently, his luck hasn't been as good at this place, with his highest finish being fourth in 2008. He only has one other top-10 since 2007, but this season has been a different one for this team. They are being smart, consistent, and are possibly the sleeper team of Richard Childress Racing.

Statistics are on his side, so seeing the No. 31 in victory lane isn't a far cry. It's only a question of whether he can get the job done.

Joey Logano

Okay, I know there are some of you that may not think Logano belongs here. Yes, he won this race last year but only because of rain. But, when it comes to Logano, there's nothing like coming home.

Logano is right at home in the northeast, as he is from Connecticut. He ran extremely well at both races last year, and made his Cup Series debut here in 2007.

With the way the season has gone so far for this 20-year-old, a taste of home could be a welcome sign for the Home Depot team.

Plus, it doesn't hurt having Greg Zipadelli on the pit box.

Mark Martin

"I can't get around this place worth a lick!"

That's what Martin said at New Hampshire last fall. Only thing was, he said it when he accepted the winner's trophy. Up until that race, Martin had not taken a win at the track, but when it mattered the most, he and his team came through.

Although the No. 5 team has been a little off this season, I wouldn't put it past these guys to head to the front. They are very capable of getting it done.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if the CarQuest/GoDaddy.com Chevy was near the front from the drop of the green flag.

SLEEPERS

Juan Pablo Montoya

Anyone remember who the dominant car was last fall? Here's the man that topped the charts all weekend, led the most laps, and could have won the race. But, because of him having the courage to not bump Martin out of the way, he finished third.

That doesn't mean he wasn't capable of doing it, but Montoya raced smart and did not bump him out of the groove.

I still think if he can get his first win on an oval, he will do it at one of two tracks. It will happen either here or at Indy. Although both tracks are different in length, they are similar in banking. That plays into Montoya's favor.

This weekend is his first chance at getting there. The No. 42 will be strong.

Kurt Busch

Three-Six-Nine. Those are Busch's statistics at New Hampshire. Three wins, six top-fives and nine top-10s.

He swept both races here in 2004 en route to the first Chase championship, and his last win was in 2008. With the momentum this team has been riding since Charlotte, this track strongly favors the No. 2 team.

Watch out for the Miller Lite Vortex Dodge, they could toast another victory at the end of 301 miles.

TNT once again has broadcasting duties this week as it marks the midway point in their "Summer Series." Coverage starts at Noon ET with Countdown to Green , with the race scheduled to begin shortly after 1 p.m.