Clint Bowyer just barely made the Chase for the Sprint Cup but he shocked everyone in sports betting and won the first race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday. Bowyer had been winless in his last 88 races so it was definitely an online sports betting surprise when he won the first race of the Chase.
Stewart Runs Out of Gas – The race winner easily could have been Tony Stewart but he ran out of gas with a lap to go. Bowyer took advantage and just held off Denny Hamlin for the win. Stewart, Bowyer and Jeff Burton all tried to stretch their fuel but only Bowyer was able to do it. Burton ran out of gas just before Stewart ran out. He ended up 15th while Stewart finished 24th.
Exciting Race – Now this is what it is supposed to be like in NASCAR. There were 21 lead changes and some great racing in the opening chase race at Loudon. It was superb at the end too as Stewart ran out of gas. Bowyer had to hold off Hamlin at the end as Hamlin was coming on strong.
Bowyer Vaults to Second – Look at what a win does for you in the Chase standings. Bowyer jumped all the way up to second in the race for the Chase behind Hamlin. The win by Bowyer may have been a sports betting surprise but it was hardly a fluke. He led 174 laps on the day and build big leads at times. Only a series of late crashes in the race and a bunch of yellows cost him the lead.
J.J. in Early Trouble – Jimmie Johnson had to pit with 40 laps to go for a loose wheel and that cost him dearly as he finished 28th.
Next Week at Dover – The race for the Sprint Cup Championship continues next week in Dover on Sunday in a race that can be seen on ESPN.
Current Sprint Cup Standings:
- Hamlin
- Bowyer -35
- Kevin Harvick -45
- Kyle Busch -62
- Jeff Gordon -75
- Kurt Busch -86
- Johnson -92
- Carl Edwards -95
- Greg Biffle -108
- Jeff Burton -112
- Stewart -124
- Matt Kenseth -136