2011 Sylvania 300 – Post-Practice Predictions and Top 5 Drivers

2011 Sylvania 300 Post-Practice Predictions, Picks, Tips and Preview – Favorites and Sleepers to Win Sylvania 300: While there have been countless upsets in the Cup Series in 2011, bettors may want to stick to some more conventional names this weekend at New Hampshire. Since NASCAR installed the current Chase format during the final 10 races of the year, every fall race at NHMS has been won by a driver eligible for the title. While that trend could change, the numbers certainly seem to favor the top drivers in the series.

2011 Sylvania 300 – Post-Practice Top 5

1. Jimmie Johnson: The three-time New Hampshire winner was strong throughout both practice sessions Saturday. He topped the charts in the opening practice and ranked third in Happy Hour. Johnson also posted the sixth-best 10-lap average speed in the first session and the top average speed in the final practice. He appears primed to take a serious step toward sixth consecutive title this weekend.

2. Jeff Gordon: After posting the fifth-fastest lap in Saturday’s first session, Gordon jumped to second on the charts in Happy Hour. He also ranked second in terms of 10-lap average speed in the opening practice of the afternoon. He is riding a streak of 12 straight top-15 finishers at New Hampshire, and Gordon could secure his third flat track win of 2011 this weekend.

3. Kyle Busch: Busch opened Saturday’s practices by turning the seventh-fastest lap, and he jumped into the top five during Happy Hour. More importantly, he ranked third in terms of 10-lap average speed in both practice sessions. Busch is a former New Hampshire winner, and after enjoying one of his best seasons at the flat tracks, he could end up in Victory Lane Sunday.

4. Jeff Burton: During practice Saturday, Burton looked an awful lot like the driver that has been to Victory Lane four times at New Hampshire. He posted the second-fastest lap in the first session and ranked fourth in the final practice. Burton also posted the best 10-lap average speed in the first session. Despite struggling for most of the year, Burton appears to have a car capable of erasing some of the disappointment with a win this weekend.

5. Kasey Kahne: Kahne posted the seventh-fastest lap in Happy Hour, but his real strength appears to be longer runs. He ranked fifth and fourth in terms of 10-lap average speed in the two practices Saturday. Starting on the outside of the front row, Kahne could be a contender if the race takes on a green flag feel, which it often does at New Hampshire.

200 Sylvania 300 – Post-Practice Top Sleeper

1. David Stremme: After doing next to nothing for the entire season, Stremme paced the field in Happy Hour. Since all drivers were in race trim, the chances of his lap being legit are high. It is hard to believe that Stremme can continue to surprise on race day, but at the same time, nobody was faster in practice.

View the most current vegas betting odds to win the 2011 Sylvania 300 for this Sunday, September 25th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.