LOUDON, N.H. - Penske Racing drivers Kurt Busch, Sam Hornish Jr. and Ryan Newman finished sixth, 30th and 36th respectively in Sunday’s Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Due to rain, Friday’s qualifying session was cancelled and the field was set by the 2008 NASCAR Cup Series owner point standings. Sunday began with rain showers hitting the one-mile oval in the early hours of the morning and continuing until just before 11 a. m. However, the NHMS crew was able to get the racing surface dry enough for the green flag to wave only a few minutes later than scheduled.
Busch started 20th in his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge and finished a strong sixth, using the strong effort to advance to 18th in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings. Of note, Busch was the highest-finishing “non-Chaser” as well as the top finishing Dodge.
“It was a good run for the Miller Lite Dodge,” said Busch, who also finished in the top 10 last Sunday in Richmond, Va. “We felt like we had something good from last week and we tried it again this week. It (the car) ran better. It’s felt good the last two weeks.”
Hornish and the No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge team started from the 36th spot and ran just outside of the top-20 when the No. 77 had engine issues, but remained on track to finish the race in the 30th position. The No. 77 Mobil 1 team remains 37th in the 2008 NASCAR Cup Series owner points standings, 18 points out of 35th place.
“It was a tough day and a little bit frustrating at times, but we got through it, ” said Hornish after the race. “Today wasn’t what we needed for in the points race, but I feel like we’re heading in the right direction. This is the best finish that we’ve had in the last three weeks. We’ll keep working at it.”
Newman and the No. 12 Kodak Dodge team suffered engine problems midway through the running of the Sylvania 300 on Sunday afternoon. Despite the problems, Newman continued to battle on the track, but was unable to continue at lap 288, causing Newman to finish the race in 36th place. Newman is now 17th in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings, 269 points out of 13th place, with nine races left in the 2008 season.
“It just wasn’t our day today,” Newman said following the race.
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