There was only one strategy to employ for those chasing NASCAR Camping World
Truck Series points leader Ron Hornaday Jr.: chip away.
Going into last Saturday's race at Gateway, Hornaday held a 225-point lead, his
largest of the season.
Now, after an accident-marred 17th-place finish, that cushion has been trimmed
to 197.
Statistically speaking, the field may have a tough time continuing the "chip
away" task this weekend at New Hampshire. Hornaday is strong there, owning the
top statistics in the series.
Hornaday has won the last two New Hampshire races, and has finished in the top
10 in the last four.
Over that span, Hornaday has racked up series-best numbers in Driver Rating
(132.3), Average Running Position (3.4), Fastest Laps Run (99), Laps in the Top
15 percentage (99.6), Laps Led (379) and fewest Times Passed (69).
The problem is, the two drivers immediately behind Hornaday - Matt Crafton (No.
88 Menards Chevrolet), second in points and the highest-ranking driver without a
victory this season, and Mike Skinner - do not rank in the top five in Driver
Rating at New Hampshire.
Skinner, third in the points, is the closest. At New Hampshire over the last
four seasons, Skinner has a Driver Rating of 101.2 (sixth-best), an Average
Running Position of 8.7 (sixth) and 69 Fastest Laps Run (second).
Crafton, who has finished in the top 10 at New Hampshire just once in the last
four races there, has a Driver Rating of 94.6 (eighth), an Average Running
Position of 11.2 (ninth) and 17 Fastest Laps Run (ninth).
