BACK-TO-BACK: Ron Hornaday has scored victories in the last two races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Hornaday sat on the pole in 2007 and started second in 2008 on his way to his second and third career victories at the 1.058-mile flat track. Hornaday recorded a win in the inaugural event at NHMS in 1996. Hornaday would make history with a win in the Heluva Good! 200 becoming the first driver to win four race at NHMS.
KING OF THE NORTH: Hornaday leads NASCAR statistical loop data in 12 of 16 categories. Most notable, in the last four races at NHMS Hornaday has an average finish of 3.3; he has led 379 laps and has an average running position of 2.3.
NOT THE ONLY WINNER: Hornaday is not the only KHI employee to hold wins at NHMS. Crew Chief, Rick Ren also took Andy Houston, spotter for the No. 4 KHI Truck Series entry, to victory lane in 1998. KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick also visited victory lane at NHMS in the Sprint Cup Series in 2006, a year later Harvick won in a Nationwide Series entry.
WIX Lap Leader: Hornaday has wrapped up the 2009 Wix Lap Leader Award with seven events left on the schedule. Hornaday has led a total of 866 laps thus far in 2009.
Notes from the Professor: Quotes from Ron Hornaday:
WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO YOU TO GET A THIRD VICTORY AT NHMS?
"It would mean a lot to me. We have set a lot of records this year. Each one means something to me. It is a special memory I put in the memory bank. Each win at Loudon has been special in its own way. I won the inaugural race there which was pretty cool. I led the last and most important lap that year. The past two years, Rick Ren and the guys have really gotten a good set-up together that I like and is comfortable to me. You never know what is going to happen, but I love coming to New Hampshire." Notes from atop the pit box: Rick Ren:
WHAT HAS BEEN THE KEY TO WINNING AT NEW HAMPSHIRE?
"I'm not sure why we have been so good the last few years, I guess I've got it figured out," said Ren. "If I had to compare New Hampshire to one particular track, I couldn't. I would have to combine Milwaukee, Phoenix and Gateway, taking elements from each to recreate New Hampshire. The challenge is making sure your truck is turning off turn four. If you have a good pull off the final corner you are going to be pretty good in the race."
CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 33 Copart team will take chassis No.037 to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Chassis No. 37 is a brand-new truck for the No. 33 team.
PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Hornaday dominated last weekend's the event at Gateway (Ill.) International Raceway leading 116 of 162 laps. However, with four laps remaining, on what would have been the final restart, Hornaday got a slow start allowing second place Matt Crafton to get within striking distance. Crafton hit Hornaday's lower rear quarter panel, turning the No. 33 into the outside wall collecting Chad McCumbee. Hornaday was unable to finish the race relegating him to a 17th-place finish
