NASCAR NNCS (DOVER) - IN THE LOOP

The split between old and new in the 2007 Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup dramatically closed at New Hampshire.

On one side, there are the four-timers. Two drivers, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth, are the only two to make each Chase since its 2004 inception.

On the other side, the first-timers. Two drivers, Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr., represent that faction.

Surprisingly, the difference between the two sides is miniscule – if there at all.

Over the long haul, experience will likely play a vital role, but right now the new blood is hanging tough with the seasoned Chase veterans.

Bowyer won in dominating fashion at New Hampshire, earning a perfect 150.0 Driver Rating and launching himself from 12th to fourth in the standings. He now sits only 15 points behind the first-place Johnson. With a fifth-place finish, Truex moved up one spot to sixth and is 40 points behind first.

Both finished ahead of the two four-timers, as Johnson finished sixth and Kenseth finished seventh.

With Dover up next, that trend could continue. Both Bowyer and Truex – who won there in June – have strong numbers at the one-mile track. Below is a breakdown of the two.

Martin Truex Jr. at Dover Date Finish ARP DR FLR 6/06 22 20.8 67.9 0 9/06 6 10.9 98.0 13 6/07 1 4.2 140.2 107 ARP: Avg. Running Position; DR: Driver Rating; FLR: Fastest Laps Run

Clint Bowyer at Dover Date Finish ARP DR FLR 6/06 17 12.2 85.8 5 9/06 8 8.3 101.4 14 6/07 8 5.6 109.3 15 ARP: Avg. Running Position; DR: Driver Rating; FLR: Fastest Laps Run

Jimmie Johnson, on the other hand, has uncharacteristically struggled since his 2005 Dover win. Over the past three Dover races, Johnson has failed to earn a Driver Rating above 90.0. Below are his statistics over the last three Dover races.

Jimmie Johnson at Dover (2006-2007) Date Finish ARP DR FLR 6/06 6 26.9 82.6 6 9/06 13 12.7 86.5 10 6/07 15 12.9 89.8 35 ARP: Avg. Running Position; DR: Driver Rating; FLR: Fastest Laps Run

Matt Kenseth is a different story at Dover. Since 2005, he has racked up four top 10s in five races, including a win last season and a fifth-place finish in this year’s June race. His overall Driver Rating at Dover since 2005 is 110.2, second only to Greg Biffle. Below are Kenseth’s Dover statistics over the past three races.

Matt Kenseth at Dover (2006-2007) Date Finish ARP DR FLR 6/06 1 4.2 132.5 45 9/06 10 3.2 132.1 55 6/07 5 7.9 101.7 0 ARP: Avg. Running Position; DR: Driver Rating; FLR: Fastest Laps Run