New track surface gets good reviews

Thanks to much hard work, there aren’t expected to be any issues with the racing surface for today’s Siemens 300 Nextel Cup race at New Hampshire.

If only the same could be said about NASCAR’s rule book.

Thanks to the sport’s self-proclaimed fan-friendly ways, there is yet another new rule in place — an edict guaranteeing all races will end under green-flag conditions. Add in earlier provisions that include banning racing back to the caution and awarding a free lap to the first car a lap down to the leader, and it’s not surprising many people in the sport are confused.

But one thing remains the same: the first car to the checkered flag wins.

So as NASCAR officials on pit road and in race control struggle to keep things under control, teams and drivers will scuffle for the best finish possible on New Hampshire’s fast, flat one-mile oval, where track position is paramount.

At least they can race knowing the surface, which was troublesome in the past, will hold together.

“As always, with it being so difficult to pass on that layout, the track position situation will be a chief factor in who wins the race,” said Rusty Wallace, who has 11 top-eight finishes, including one victory, in 18 races on the speedway.

“We hope we can run strong and make all the right calls to be there battling for the win at the end.”

Wallace needs a win or a top-five finish to kick-start his drive to be included in the final 10-race championship playoff, which begins Sept. 19 at New Hampshire. He is 17th in points and cannot afford one bad move, let alone one bad race, if he is to contend for his second Cup championship.

The same can be said for Jeff Gordon, who is in a slump at New Hampshire.

In eight New Hampshire races from 1997 to 2001, Gordon won twice and finished no worse than sixth. In the five races since, he has not finished higher than 14th.

Gordon has three wins, eight top-fives and 10 top-10s in 18 New Hampshire starts. He has led the most laps in six races and has led 1,046 laps overall, most of any driver.

And while his points position — third place, 242 behind leader and two-time New Hampshire winner Jimmie Johnson — pretty much guarantees him a shot at his fifth Cup championship, Gordon knows work remains to be done.

“There are a lot of ups and downs in our sport,” Gordon said. “As for racing at New Hampshire, I guess we found the wave we were looking for. We just need to ride it to the end this time.”