Stewart Leads First New Hampshire Practice and Starts Third Following Qualifying

Not a lot to go by in the opening practice session and qualifying. Saturday's practice will tell the real story. However, Tony Stewart driving his runner-up chassis from June's Loudon race better make you think twice about betting against him. Stewart hasn't look as good all season in any practice, whether in race or qualifying trim, but now has the look of a favorite. Look for him to be a major player this week in beating Jimmie Johnson for the win. Johnson and Stewart were two of the only drivers to bring cars with a successful record this week while most everyone else brought brand new cars. Johnson is using the same chassis he won with late in June's race.  

Friday Practice: for the Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is over, after 90 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest, notes:
#14-Stewart (X) 133.628
#99-Edwards (X) 133.385
#47-Ambrose 133.128
#43-Allmendinger 132.952
#18-Busch (X) 132.896
(X) = Chase Driver
slowest: #46-McDowell 126.270 [in his one lap before wrecking] & #55-Bliss 127.491
notes: late in practice, #11-Hamlin spun around coming off pit road, no damage and he went out and ran the 3rd fastest lap for that point in practice.
the weather is a challenge as it rained earlier and it is misting on-an-off at the track
#46-McDowell slammed the turn 2 wall early in practice after either losing an engine or having an oli line come off/break, the team will go to a backup car, which is a Dodge.

Starting Lineup

Practice 1 Results

Practice and Qualifying info from JAYSKI.com