Sometimes the beginning of the weekend will end the same way. In this case, it certainly did.
Well, if you are a member of Stewart-Haas Racing that is.
Entering New Hampshire, the driver on a roll was Kyle Busch. He won the pole at Kentucky, led the most laps, won the race, and took over the points lead. But, after today's action, he lost the points lead, and only earned eight points.
It's unfortunate, but when his No. 18 car had a right-front tire go flat, it blew out more than just a tire bead and sheet metal. Tough break for the "Wild Thing."
But, the major positive of the New Hampshire weekend without question was Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman.
Here's a team that was not having the best of seasons, and by their own admission needed to win races to feel more secure in the Chase. It started off exactly right as both drivers qualified on the front row, the first time Stewart-Haas Racing accomplished that feat.
As the race progressed, the two of them ran up front the entire time, and were in the hunt when it counted the most. As the laps clicked away, once more fuel mileage became the talk. A nine-lap difference between the two drivers would beg the question whether one would run out, or would be able to make it to the checkered flag.
Newman pitted at lap 217, and Stewart at lap 226. But, Newman was able to stretch out enough fuel to take the checkered flag, his first win of 2011. Stewart brought his Office Depot Chevrolet to the checkered flag in second.
It's the first time that the team finished 1-2, let alone start in the same positions. It is also is the first time since 1989 that a team both started and finished in the first and second position.
Newman's win also provides a great boost, at least in confidence, to one of our writers. SB Nation's Misan Ayuka has found himself behind after picking Trevor Bayne at Daytona, but has earned his third win of the season.
We also find a lot of changes in the standings based on some mediocre and bad finishes. Here's a look at where everyone now stands after the Lenox Industrial Tools 301:
Kelly Crandall (664) Jimmie Johnson finished fifth (3)
Billy Fellin (647) Kurt Busch finished 10th (2)
James Broomhead (642) Jimmie Johnson finished fifth (1)
Sal Sigala Jr. (639) Kyle Busch finished 36th (3)
Christopher Leone (605) Greg Biffle finished 18th (2)
Kara Martin (601) Denny Hamlin finished third (1)
Michael Hirshbein (601) Kyle Busch finished 36th (3)
Ryan O'Hara (596) Jimmie Johnson finished fifth (1)
Dustin Parks (583) Tony Stewart finished second (0)
Rob Tiongson (564) Clint Bowyer finished 17th (1)
Misan Ayuka (563) Ryan Newman WON (3)
Next Race: A little bit of a rest is now in store for all the writers. The reason being, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series gets a week off, its final week off for the entire season.
It's definitely necessary as these drivers have to prepare themselves for the stretch run for the remainder of the season, including the Chase.
So, all the writers now get to take a week off to either rest up, or strategize, for the final 17 races of the season. Next up on the schedule...THE BRICKYARD.
Writers, it's not just one of the famous tracks in the country, it's THE famous track in the country. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will play host to the Brickyard 400 two weeks from today.
Picks for this race are due by Thursday, July 28, at 10 p.m. ET.
Author Note: Read the e-mail about the Chase rules that will be sent out later today.
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