NSCS: New Hampshire 301 Race Preview

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rolls into New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the 24th annual New Hampshire 301. The race will serve as the first of two stops for the series at the 1.058-mile oval in 2016. Kyle Busch enters the weekend as the defending race winner.

A total of 40 drivers fill the entry list. Some of these include Eddie MacDonald, Reed Sorenson, Alex Bowman, Michael McDowell, and Ryan Ellis. Nobody will go home following qualifying on Friday as there are only 40 drivers entered.

Alex Bowman will pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet in the place of Dale Earnhardt Jr. after Earnhardt experienced concussion like symptoms that built up over time. The Hendrick Motorsports camp issued this statement when the news became public.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not compete in the July 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after experiencing concussion-like symptoms.

Earnhardt, driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, was evaluated this week in Charlotte and today was not cleared by physicians to race. Alex Bowman will be the team’s substitute driver this weekend at New Hampshire.

“I wasn’t feeling great the week going into Kentucky (Speedway) and thought it was possibly severe allergies,” Earnhardt said. “I saw a family doctor and was given medication for allergies and a sinus infection. When that didn’t help, I decided to dig a little deeper. Because of my symptoms and my history with concussions, and after my recent wrecks at Michigan and Daytona, I reached out and met with a neurological specialist. After further evaluation, they felt it was best for me to sit out.

“I’m disappointed about missing New Hampshire this weekend. I’m looking forward to treatment with the goal of getting back in the race car when the doctors say I’m ready.”

A timetable for Earnhardt’s return has not been established. Hendrick Motorsports will provide an update next week regarding plans for the July 24 event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“I’m proud of Dale for standing up,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “The number-one priority is his health, so we’re going to give him all the time he needs. We completely support the decision by the doctors and will be ready to go win races when he’s 100 percent. In the meantime, we have full confidence in Greg (Ives) and the team, and we know they’ll do a great job.”

Hendrick Motorsports announced on Friday that Jeff Gordon will pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet if Earnhardt isn’t cleared to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway next weekend. Gordon retired from Sprint Cup Series racing following the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway last season.

Tommy Baldwin Racing will run a special paint scheme on the No. 7 Chevrolet driven by Regan Smith at Loudon this weekend. The special colors will honor former NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour Championship car owner Mario Fiore, who passed away last month to an undisclosed illness at the age of 65.

“Modified racing lost a man who made history in Northeast Modified racing,” said Tommy Baldwin in a release. “He had a competitive spirit but, he was always willing to help another racer. He was one of the most well-respected people in the modified community. I’m glad we have the opportunity to tell his story and showcase the car which represents a lot of success.”

The Sprint Cup Series car owner selected the paint scheme by having fans vote for their favorite on Facebook. Fans picked the Teddy Bear Pools Pontiac as their favorite.

Eddie MacDonald and Ryan Ellis will join the Sprint Cup Series fold on Sunday in New Hampshire. MacDonald last joined the Sprint Cup Series last season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway where he finished 37th. Ellis will make his second start of 2016 in the Sprint Cup Series. He last raced at Richmond International Raceway where he finished 37th with BK Racing.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will air live on NBCSN at 1:30 P.M. ET. on Sunday. The Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR will carry the live radio broadcast.

Brett Winningham
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