The Wiz open October 30.
NASCAR at New Hampshire: everything you need to know about racing this weekend
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NASCAR at New Hampshire: everything you need to know about racing this weekend
Still not over that finish from Kentucky Speedway? Good, us either. NASCAR is right back after it this weekend in the Granite State and New Hampshire Motor Speedway for some short-track summer action.
Here's what we're watching for on Sunday afternoon in the Foxwoods Resort 301 (3 p.m. EST on NBCSN).
NEW HAMPSHIRE STATISTICS
New Hampshire Motor Speedway: 1.058-mile oval in Loudon, N.H.
Race information: 318.46 miles, 301 laps
Stage lengths: 75 laps, 75 laps, 151 laps
Defending winner: Kevin Harvick
Most wins: Jeff Burton (4)
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Friday, July 19
12:05 – 12:55 p.m. – Cup practice (NBCSN)
1:05 – 1:55 p.m. – Xfinity practice (NBCSN)
3:35 – 4:25 p.m. – Final Xfinity practice (NBCSN)
4:35 p.m. – Cup qualifying (single vehicle/two laps all positions) (NBCSN, Performance Racing Network)
Saturday, July 20
10:05 – 10:55 a.m. – Cup practice (CNBC)
11:15 a.m. – Xfinity qualifying (single vehicle/two laps all positions) (NBCSN)
12:35 – 1:25 p.m. – Final Cup practice (NBCSN)
4 p.m. – Roxor 200 Xfinity race (stages 45/90/200 laps = 211.6 miles) (NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday, July 21
3 p.m. – Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 (stages 75/150/301 laps = 318.46 miles) (NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Is It Time For SHR To Panic?
Past the halfway point in the 2019 season, Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske, Hendrick Motorsports, Chip Ganassi Racing and Spire Motorsports (!) have visited Victory Lane.
Notably absent is Stewart-Haas Racing.
2014 Monster Energy Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick had five wins at this point last season, Clint Bowyer had two, and the duo of Aric Almirola and Kurt Busch had been running consistently inside the top five and top 10. This season, they're a step behind.
Whether it's the adjustment to the new Ford Mustang or the new aerodynamic rules package for this season, SHR is behind, there's no sugarcoating it.
Although Harvick is safely in the playoffs, Almirola is in but does not have a large buffer, Bowyer is on the bubble and Daniel Suarez is on the outside looking in.
Harvick did win this race last season, and another checkered flag for the No. 4 camp this weekend would go a long way confidence wise for the organization.
More Sticky Stuff
PJ1 is back, and it seems here to stay.
The sticky adhesive that was put down last weekend in Kentucky, as well as multiple times last season, has been applied at NHMS and will be applied next weekend at Pocono Raceway as well. The adhesive is in hopes to create more racing lines and in turn, a better on track product.
With temparatures this weekend reaching upwards of triple digits, the PJ1 will become more active earlier on. The hotter it is, the more grip the substance has.
Lobstah
New England NASCAR trips and somewhat cringeworthy New England NASCAR accents go hand in hand. Like it or not, that's part of it, right?
The winner of each NHMS race gets a big ole lobster to celebrate with. But don't give one to Denny Hamlin. We remember what happened to him a couple years back, right?
Next week, NASCAR heads to the Pocono Raceway for the second time this season for the Gander Outdoors 400 on Sunday, July 28 at 3:30 p.m. EST on NBCSN.
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Nationals Roundup: Late Victor Robles magic not enough as Braves walk-off Nats
USA TODAY Sports Images
Nationals Roundup: Late Victor Robles magic not enough as Braves walk-off Nats
As you would expect a first-place NL East team to do, the Atlanta Braves bounced back to even the series with Washington Friday night inside SunTrust Park. Josh Donaldson erased Victor Robles' game-tying, two-run home run with his walk-off single in the ninth. Atlanta improved to 59-40 and increased its lead over the Nationals to 6.5 games with a 4-3 final.
Consider these notes as Washington grinds through a pivotal series in Atlanta:
Player Notes:
Washington's first-year lefty didn't have his best stuff going Friday night in Atlanta. Patrick Corbin tossed just five innings allowing eight hits, two runs, two walks on 100 pitches. He struck out five Braves on his 30th birthday.
The Nationals' third baseman has brought new meaning to the word 'consistency' all year long in his first season as an All-Star. Two games into this four-game series in Atlanta, Anthony Rendon has five hits, a walk, and 2 RBI.
Victor Robles brought the fireworks in the ninth at SunTrust Park. The 22-year-old delivered a game-tying, two-run home run off Luke Jackson. The long-ball traveled a whopping 446 feet.
The Fernando Rodney experience was alive and well. Davey Martinez made the questionable decision to bring his 42-year-old back out in the ninth for a second consecutive inning. It backfired. Just 14 of his 32 pitches were thrown for strikes.
Injuries:
SP Max Scherzer: Back, Expected to be out until at least Jul 25
RP Jonny Venters: Back, Expected to be out until at least Jul 26
SP Jeremy Hellickson: Shoulder, Expected to be out until at least Jul 20
RP Justin Miller: Shoulder, Expected to be out until at least Jul 20
RP Koda Glover: Elbow, Expected to be out until at least Aug 7
RP Austen Williams: Shoulder, Expected to be out until at least Jul 26
Coming Up:
Saturday 7/20: Nationals at Braves, 7:20 p.m., SunTrust Park
Sunday 7/21: Nationals at Braves, 7:20 p.m., SunTrust Park
Monday 7/22: Nationals vs. Rockies, 7:05 p.m., Nationals Park
MORE NATIONALS NEWS:
- Back Pain: Scherzer won't pitch against Braves
- Safety First: Nats to debut extended netting on July 22
- Birthday Buddies: Corbin, Gomes' success written in the stars