NASCAR heads to New Hampshire Sunday for a race dominated recently by Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin, which sounds a whole lot like the 2020 season.
In last year’s race Harvick just held off Hamlin at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in a battle that saw the two go back and forth through the final lap. The win gave Harvick back to back wins in New Hampshire and also ended a personal 21-race winless streak.
That hasn’t been the case this season. Harvick has won four times and is looking for a third straight win here Sunday. Hamlin, who finished second last year and won in 2017, has five wins this season.
“What you’ve seen from us in the last year with the 11 and the 4 is a lot of mutual respect,” Hamlin told NASCAR.com. “We race each other with a lot of mutual respect because we know it won’t be the last time. We still have probably many years of battles ahead of us. We’ve been around the sport a long time. We butted heads early in my career. He’s certainly a guy that I personally would like to model myself after.’’
Harvick leads all active drivers in wins at New Hampshire with four, while Hamlin has three. Harvick is tied with Matt Kenseth for series-most top fives among active drivers with 12, while Hamlin is next with 10. And Hamlin leads the series in runner-up finishes at New Hampshire with five second-place results; including last year.
Here’s the way the Eckel 4, which includes Scott “Tobacco Road’’ Baker, Mike “Left Turn’’ Sweeney and Barry “Dr. NASCAR’’ Davis see Sunday’s race.
Kevin Harvick (4-1): Three of the “4’’ had Harvick in their top two and the Dr. had him on top. The odds are not too good, but Harvick has been very good.
Kyle Busch (7-1): Not only hasn’t “Tobacco Road’’ given up on Busch, but he has the Dr. metering him now as well. At least his odds are decent. Maybe this is the week.
Denny Hamlin (9-2): Let’s be real. It’s going to be Hamlin or Harvick. And I think it might jus be Hamlin’s turn this week.
Ryan Blaney (8-1): “Left Turn’’ likes the consistent Blaney to get his first win in New Hampshire, Sunday.
Longshot Plays: Aric Almirola (20-1), Kurt Busch (25-1)