The Speeding Bullets: Sylvania 300

• Congratulations to Mark Martin on getting his first ever victory at New Hampshire. His fifth win of the season was a hard earned one as he had a side by side duel with Juan Pablo Montoya in the closing laps. I don't know how Mark managed to beat him on the outside groove, but only a driver with his level of skill and experience would be able to do something like that. Sunday's victory made us all realize that Jimmie Johnson isn't the sole Chaser to outdrive when it comes to winning this year's championship. This is the best chance Martin has and will ever have at achieving the thing he has most sought throughout his entire racing career. The problem I have with Mark is he tends to take being humble a little too far. I will make a bet that if he wins this year's championship, the first thing he will say in his interview is "Allen Gustafson is the one who won it..."

• Even though Juan Pablo Montoya got a solid third-place finish, he wasn't too happy with the outcome of the race when it was all said and done. Montoya felt that Mark Martin raced him dirty for the win, but all it came down to was Mark having the fire in him to be extra aggressive in order to secure the victory. I felt there was nothing dirty about it and liked seeing a flame ignite in Martin that has been latent for most of the season. Juan in addition to Mark seems to be a driver who is peaking at just the right time and has a legitimate shot to win this championship. He was the closest this weekend he has ever been to his first victory on an oval, and I have a feeling it is coming in these final nine weeks of the season...

• Kasey Kahne without a doubt gets my sympathy vote for this week. A blown engine is a helpless feeling to a driver because there is absolutely nothing he can do about it. The blame in a situation like that goes all the way back to the Dodge shop. Even though Kahne's chances in the Chase seem to be gone with the wind, I wouldn't count him out just yet. Every driver seems to have a bad week some time during the ten race stretch, including Jimmie Johnson (usually at Talladega). Perfection is the only option for Kasey from this point forward since his mulligan has already been used up, but his dreams are still within reach...

• After race one of this year's Chase being in the books, I am starting to have my doubts about Tony Stewart. His poor streak of performances over the past couple of weeks seems to be carrying into the postseason. That is a reason why momentum plays such an important role over the course of the 36-race season. Stewart's rear axle trouble on Sunday led to a 14th place finish and a drop to sixth position in the points standings. He still has plenty of time to get back on track, but it is already starting to look like "Smoke" is going to be the Kyle Busch of 2009...

• It's time to criticize ESPN this week after raving about them at Richmond. Their post-race show was one of the poorest I have ever seen because they only interviewed the first and second place drivers. Obviously the network was pressed for time, but they left too many things hanging; it is like a research paper when someone forgets to write the concluding paragraph. Even though FOX's coverage seems kind of cheesy, I really like it that they always make sure to wrap everything up...

That's all I have for the New Hampshire edition. In my opinion, next week's trip to the Monster Mile is one of the most critical races for the drivers in the Chase. If you have noticed from past years, the guys who survive Dover are the ones still alive at Homestead...