Shop Talk: N. Hampshire

Statistically speaking, when the checkered flag waves at New Hampshire International Speedway late Sunday afternoon, the championship outlook should look as tight as it does now.

Only 60 points separate 12th place from first, and figuring how well practically all the Chase drivers perform at New Hampshire, not much should change.

Not surprisingly, the best shine at New Hampshire -- a vital stop on the way to the championship.

In each key Loop Data statistic, Chase drivers dominate. Below are the race bests at New Hampshire since 2005. Each category is peppered with Chase competitors.

Not surprisingly, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin has won at least one race at NHIS (Stewart and Johnson have won two).

The same holds true in combined efforts as well. In every key Loop Data statistic, a Chase driver holds the top spot and is followed by other drivers competing for the Nextel Cup championship.

But of the Chase drivers, Denny Hamlin has been the most consistent in his brief NHIS tenure. Hamlin, with a win there in July, is looking for the Loudon sweep. In three NHIS races, he has never finished worse than sixth, had a Driver Rating below 105.8 or an Average Running Position of under 8.7.