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Can Kyle Busch Get 100th Career Win This Weekend?

Love him or hate him the fact remains: Kyle “Rowdy” Busch could be hours away from win number 100. This morning Busch secured the 5th position in qualifying for the New England 200 Nationwide race, posting a speed of 128.139 mph and time of 29.711. He starts behind pole winner, Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Joey Lagano, and Aric Almirola. This a quite an improvement over last night’s qualifying for the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 where Kyle posted at 19th position with 28.632 and 133.026 mph, 0.467 seconds behind pole setter, Ryan Newman.

Let’s take a moment to look at the numbers for Kyle Busch at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. His best finish came in July 2006 at the Lenox Tools 300, where he brought home the checkered flag after starting from the 4th position. However, statistically, Busch averages a finish of 14 at NHMS and over-all does less then great at flat tracks. Of the 12 races competed here, he only posts 6 top 10 finishes. That being said, I think the Kyle is hungry to get the 100th win tucked under his belt so he can focus on the Championship. He has led over 1000 laps this season alone and has obtained 27 bonus points, setting him up for a pretty position for the Chase.

So, is my money on Kyle Busch securing win 100 this weekend? I don’t think so! There is too much competition out there and honestly, 2011 has been the season of the rookies and first time track winners. Call me crazy, but I like Joey Lagano to surprise everyone tomorrow. He has won at this track in June ’09 after leading only 10 laps and starting 24th. And hasn’t won since! This talented young driver is ready to be back in victory lane. As far as the Nationwide race I know there are at least a half dozen under-dogs I want to see win, but my money is on Justin Allgaier to take the checkered flag. This kid has a lot of passion and ready for win #2 this season. Plus with a nickname “Lil Gator”, how can you not love this kid!

So as final practice wraps up and the Nationwide series gets ready to strap in for the New England 200, I want to leave you with this thought. NASCAR has had a long history of black sheep and villains. What earns a driver this status? Do we love to hate a winner like Jimmy Johnson who has just dominated the Sprint Cup series for the last several years? Or do we hate the arrogant creep who speaks his mind and doesn’t mind running drivers down on pit road? For what it is worth, I think we need someone to boo because it keeps things interesting and whatever the reason may be, Kyle “Rowdy” Busch is indisputably the guy that gets the biggest boo for now.

*Just an FYI for most wins in Cup series only.
Richard Petty -200 David Pearson -105 Bobby Allison -84 Darrell Waltrip -84 Cale Yarborough -83 Jeff Gordon -82 Dale Earnhardt Sr. -76 Rusty Wallace -55 Lee Petty -54 Jimmie Johnson -52

Kyle Busch has only 22 wins in Cup.

99 is the total of 3 NASCAR series.

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