2011 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 – Post-Practice Predictions and Top 5 Drivers

2011 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 Post-Practice Predictions, Picks, Tips and Preview – Favorites and Sleepers to Win LENOX Industrial Tools 301: There have been a lot of upsets thus far in the 2011 Cup Series season, but after practice at New Hampshire Saturday, it appears some big names are ready to reassert themselves. Three former series champs and five former track winners were among the drivers posting consistent speeds in the top five. That being said, the physical side-by-side racing seen at the track could end up deciding the final outcome.

2011 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 – Post-Practice Top 5

1. Jimmie Johnson: The defending race winner flexed some serious muscle during Happy Hour, making a repeat victory a definite possibility. He posted the fastest over all lap in the final session, along with the best 10-lap average speed. Johnson is a three-time winner at New Hampshire, and he could add to that total this weekend.

2. Tony Stewart: Stewart posted the fastest lap in the first practice Saturday, and he recorded the second-best 10-lap average speed as well. “Smoke” finished second in this race one year ago and has two career wins at New Hampshire. He is starting on the front row Sunday, and he could finish at the front of the field.

3. Clint Bowyer: He posted the second-fastest lap in the first session of the afternoon, and no driver had a better 10-lap average speed. More importantly, Bowyer is riding a streak of three straight top-10s at the track, including a victory last fall. New Hampshire is the only track on the schedule where Bowyer has won multiple races.

4. Jeff Gordon: He put down the fourth-fastest lap in the first practice, and he posted the fourth-best 10-lap average speed in both the opening session and Happy Hour. Not to mention the fact that he has already won two flat track races in 2011. Gordon has been one of the most reliable options at New Hampshire for the last decade, and he is long overdue for a return trip to Victory Lane at the track.

5. Denny Hamlin: After recording the sixth-fastest lap in the first session, Hamlin posted the ninth-fastest lap in Happy Hour. He also recorded the fifth-best 10-lap average speed in the opening practice. Hamlin’s car was solid throughout both sessions, and no driver has a better average finish at the track. He has finished second in two of his last three starts at New Hampshire, and Hamlin could get over the hump Sunday.

2011 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 – Post-Practice Top Sleeper

1. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski followed up his third-fastest lap in the opening session with the fifth-fastest lap in Happy Hour. He also managed the seventh-best 10-lap average speed in the final practice. He has never run all that great at New Hampshire, but Keselowski is running at the highest level of his Cup career. The wins could start piling up.

View the most current vegas betting odds to win the 2011 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 for this Sunday, July 16th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.