2023 Crayon 301
{{short description|NASCAR Cup Series race}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox NASCAR race report
| Type = CUST
| Description = Race 20 of 36 in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series
| Race Name = Crayon 301
| Details ref = {{cite web |title=2023 schedule |url=https://www.jayski.com/nascar-cup-series/2023-nascar-cup-series-schedule/|website=Jayski.com|publisher=Jayski's Silly Season Site |accessdate=October 10, 2022}}{{cite web|title=New Hampshire Motor Speedway|url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/nascar-tracks/new-hampshire-motor-speedway.html|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR Media Group, LLC.|access-date=June 5, 2022|date=January 3, 2013|archive-date=May 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502073112/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/nascar-tracks/new-hampshire-motor-speedway.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nascar/news/nascar-releases-2023-cup-series-schedule-highlighted-by-new-chicago-all-star-race-stops/ |title= NASCAR releases 2023 Cup Series schedule highlighted by new Chicago, All-Star race stops |author=Taranto, Steven |date=September 14, 2022 |accessdate=March 29, 2023 |publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/09/14/nascar-unveils-2023-schedule-three-national-series/ |title=NASCAR unveils 2023 schedule for its national series |date=September 14, 2022 |accessdate=March 29, 2023 |publisher=National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC}}{{cite web|title=Entry List|url=https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/7/15/cup-entry-new-hampshire.pdf|website=Jayski.com|publisher=Jayski's Silly Season Site|access-date=July 10, 2023|date=July 10, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Practice Results|url=https://www.nascar.com/results/racecenter/2023/nascar-cup-series/new-hampshire-motor-speedway/stn/practice1/|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR Media Group, LLC.|access-date=July 15, 2023|date=July 15, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Qualifying Results|url=https://www.nascar.com/results/racecenter/2023/nascar-cup-series/new-hampshire-motor-speedway/stn/qualifying/|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR Media Group, LLC.|access-date=July 15, 2023|date=July 15, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Crayon 301 Results|url=https://www.nascar.com/results/racecenter/2023/nascar-cup-series/new-hampshire-motor-speedway/stn/results/|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR|access-date=July 17, 2023|date=July 17, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Points standings|url=https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/7/17/12320_UNOFFDRIVPTS.pdf|website=Jayski.com|publisher=Jayski's Silly Season Site|access-date=July 17, 2023|date=July 17, 2023}}
| Fulldate = {{Start date|2023|07|17}}
| Year = 2023
| Image = 200px
| Caption =
| Location = New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire
| Course_mi = 1.058
| Course_km = 1.703
| Distance_laps = 301
| Distance_mi = 318.458
| Distance_km = 512.603
| Weather =
| Avg = {{convert|101.572|mph|km/h}}
| Pole_Driver = Christopher Bell
| Pole_Team = Joe Gibbs Racing
| Pole_Time = 30.524
| Most_Driver = Martin Truex Jr.
| Most_Team = Joe Gibbs Racing
| Most_laps = 254
| Car = 19
| First_Driver = Martin Truex Jr.
| First_Team = Joe Gibbs Racing
| Network = USA
| Announcers = Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
| Ratings =
| Radio = PRN
| Booth_Ann = Doug Rice and Mark Garrow
| Turn_Ann = Rob Albright (1 & 2) and Pat Patterson (3 & 4)
}}
The 2023 Crayon 301 was a NASCAR Cup Series race held on July 17, 2023, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. Contested over 301 laps on the {{convert|1.058|mi|adj=on}} speedway, it was the 20th race of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season. The race was postponed from Sunday, July 16 to Monday, July 17, due to rain. Martin Truex Jr. won the race, scoring his 34th and final Cup Series victory.
Report
=Background=
File:New Hampshire International Speedway (2007).jpg, the track where the race was held.]]
New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a {{convert|1.058|mi|adj=on}} oval speedway located in Loudon, New Hampshire, which has hosted NASCAR racing annually since the early 1990s, as well as the longest-running motorcycle race in North America, the Loudon Classic. Nicknamed "The Magic Mile", the speedway is often converted into a {{convert|1.6|mi|adj=on}} road course, which includes much of the oval.
The track was originally the site of Bryar Motorsports Park before being purchased and redeveloped by Bob Bahre. The track is currently one of eight major NASCAR tracks owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports.
{{clear}}
==Entry list==
- (R) denotes rookie driver.
- (i) denotes the driver ineligible for series driver points.
Practice
Michael McDowell was the fastest in the practice session with a time of 30.129 seconds and a speed of {{Convert|126.416|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|last=Utter|first=Jim|title=Michael McDowell surprises at the top of NASCAR Cup practice|url=https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/michael-mcdowell-nascar-cup-practice-new-hampshire/10496116/|website=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=July 15, 2023|location=Loudon, New Hampshire|date=July 15, 2023}}
=Practice results=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%" |
| Pos
! {{Tooltip|No.|Car number}} ! Driver ! Team ! Manufacturer ! Time ! {{Tooltip|Speed|MPH}} |
|---|
| 1
| 34 || Michael McDowell || Front Row Motorsports || Ford || 30.129 || 126.416 |
| 2
| 19 || Martin Truex Jr. || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 30.131 || 126.408 |
| 3
| 1 || Ross Chastain || Trackhouse Racing || Chevrolet || 30.210 || 126.077 |
| colspan="7"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/7/15/12320_PRACFINAL.pdf Official practice results] |
Qualifying
Christopher Bell scored the pole for the race with a time of 30.524 and a speed of {{Convert|124.781|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|last=Utter|first=Jim|title=Bell leads Truex in all-JGR front row for Loudon Cup race|url=https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bell-pole-new-hampshire-joe-gibbs-toyota/10496143/|website=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=July 15, 2023|location=Loudon, New Hampshire|date=July 15, 2023}}
=Qualifying results=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%" |
| Pos
! {{Tooltip|No.|Car number}} ! Driver ! Team ! Manufacturer ! {{Tooltip|R1|Best time in Round 1}} ! {{Tooltip|R2|Best time in Round 2}} |
|---|
| 1
| 20 || Christopher Bell || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 30.425 || 30.524 |
| 2
| 19 || Martin Truex Jr. || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 30.375 || 30.531 |
| 3
| 10 || Aric Almirola || Stewart-Haas Racing || Ford || 30.423 || 30.542 |
| 4
| 22 || Joey Logano || Team Penske || Ford || 30.318 || 30.571 |
| 5
| 12 || Ryan Blaney || Team Penske || Ford || 30.468 || 30.635 |
| 6
| 45 || Tyler Reddick || 23XI Racing || Toyota || 30.572 || 30.640 |
| 7
| 24 || William Byron || Hendrick Motorsports || Chevrolet || 30.465 || 30.742 |
| 8
| 23 || Bubba Wallace || 23XI Racing || Toyota || 30.566 || 30.748 |
| 9
| 6 || Brad Keselowski || RFK Racing || Ford || 30.533 || 30.752 |
| 10
| 8 || Kyle Busch || Richard Childress Racing || Chevrolet || 30.586 || 0.000 |
| 11
| 3 || Austin Dillon || Richard Childress Racing || Chevrolet || 30.474 || — |
| 12
| 99 || Daniel Suárez || Trackhouse Racing || Chevrolet || 30.596 || — |
| 13
| 4 || Kevin Harvick || Stewart-Haas Racing || Ford || 30.598 || — |
| 14
| 16 || A. J. Allmendinger || Kaulig Racing || Chevrolet || 30.629 || — |
| 15
| 5 || Kyle Larson || Hendrick Motorsports || Chevrolet || 30.638 || — |
| 16
| 47 || Ricky Stenhouse Jr. || JTG Daugherty Racing || Chevrolet || 30.653 || — |
| 17
| 34 || Michael McDowell || Front Row Motorsports || Ford || 30.665 || — |
| 18
| 9 || Chase Elliott || Hendrick Motorsports || Chevrolet || 30.666 || — |
| 19
| 31 || Justin Haley || Kaulig Racing || Chevrolet || 30.667 || — |
| 20
| 11 || Denny Hamlin || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 30.689 || — |
| 21
| 41 || Ryan Preece || Stewart-Haas Racing || Ford || 30.709 || — |
| 22
| 2 || Austin Cindric || Team Penske || Ford || 30.726 || — |
| 23
| 38 || Todd Gilliland || Front Row Motorsports || Ford || 30.754 || — |
| 24
| 7 || Corey LaJoie || Spire Motorsports || Chevrolet || 30.761 || — |
| 25
| 48 || Alex Bowman || Hendrick Motorsports || Chevrolet || 30.780 || — |
| 26
| 17 || Chris Buescher || RFK Racing || Ford || 30.786 || — |
| 27
| 14 || Chase Briscoe || Stewart-Haas Racing || Ford || 30.824 || — |
| 28
| 21 || Harrison Burton || Wood Brothers Racing || Ford || 30.927 || — |
| 29
| 42 || Noah Gragson (R) || Legacy Motor Club || Chevrolet || 30.931 || — |
| 30
| 43 || Erik Jones || Legacy Motor Club || Chevrolet || 30.953 || — |
| 31
| 1 || Ross Chastain || Trackhouse Racing || Chevrolet || 30.955 || — |
| 32
| 78 || B. J. McLeod || Live Fast Motorsports || Chevrolet || 31.073 || — |
| 33
| 15 || Ryan Newman || Rick Ware Racing || Ford || 31.087 || — |
| 34
| 51 || Cole Custer (i) || Rick Ware Racing || Ford || 31.163 || — |
| 35
| 77 || Ty Dillon || Spire Motorsports || Chevrolet || 31.219 || — |
| 36
| 54 || Ty Gibbs (R) || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 31.408 || — |
| colspan="7"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/7/15/12320_QUALRES.pdf Official qualifying results] |
Race
=Race results=
==Stage results==
Stage One
Laps: 70
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:98% | |||||
| Pos
! {{Tooltip|No|Car Number}} ! Driver ! Team ! Manufacturer ! Points | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 | Martin Truex Jr. | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 10 |
| 2 | 24 | William Byron | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 9 |
| 3 | 45 | Tyler Reddick | 23XI Racing | Toyota | 8 |
| 4 | 10 | Aric Almirola | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 7 |
| 5 | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Team Penske | Ford | 6 |
| 6 | 20 | Christopher Bell | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 5 |
| 7 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 4 |
| 8 | 99 | Daniel Suárez | Trackhouse Racing | Chevrolet | 3 |
| 9 | 22 | Joey Logano | Team Penske | Ford | 2 |
| 10 | 34 | Michael McDowell | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 1 |
| colspan="6"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/7/17/12320_UNOFFRES.pdf Official stage one results] |
Stage Two
Laps: 115
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:98% | |||||
| Pos
! {{Tooltip|No|Car Number}} ! Driver ! Team ! Manufacturer ! Points | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 | Martin Truex Jr. | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 10 |
| 2 | 5 | Kyle Larson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 9 |
| 3 | 22 | Joey Logano | Team Penske | Ford | 8 |
| 4 | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Team Penske | Ford | 7 |
| 5 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 6 |
| 6 | 4 | Kevin Harvick | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 5 |
| 7 | 48 | Alex Bowman | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 4 |
| 8 | 6 | Brad Keselowski | RFK Racing | Ford | 3 |
| 9 | 45 | Tyler Reddick | 23XI Racing | Toyota | 2 |
| 10 | 20 | Christopher Bell | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 1 |
| colspan="6"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/7/17/12320_UNOFFRES.pdf Official stage two results] |
=Final Stage results=
Stage Three
Laps: 116
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:98% | |||||||
| Pos
! Grid ! {{Tooltip|No|Car Number}} ! Driver ! Team ! Manufacturer ! Laps ! Points | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 19 | Martin Truex Jr. | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 301 | 60 |
| 2 | 4 | 22 | Joey Logano | Team Penske | Ford | 301 | 45 |
| 3 | 15 | 5 | Kyle Larson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 301 | 43 |
| 4 | 13 | 4 | Kevin Harvick | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 301 | 38 |
| 5 | 9 | 6 | Brad Keselowski | RFK Racing | Ford | 301 | 35 |
| 6 | 6 | 45 | Tyler Reddick | 23XI Racing | Toyota | 301 | 41 |
| 7 | 20 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 301 | 40 |
| 8 | 8 | 23 | Bubba Wallace | 23XI Racing | Toyota | 301 | 29 |
| 9 | 11 | 3 | Austin Dillon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 301 | 28 |
| 10 | 27 | 14 | Chase Briscoe | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 301 | 27 |
| 11 | 30 | 43 | Erik Jones | Legacy Motor Club | Chevrolet | 301 | 26 |
| 12 | 18 | 9 | Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 301 | 25 |
| 13 | 17 | 34 | Michael McDowell | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 301 | 25 |
| 14 | 25 | 48 | Alex Bowman | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 301 | 27 |
| 15 | 26 | 17 | Chris Buescher | RFK Racing | Ford | 301 | 22 |
| 16 | 12 | 99 | Daniel Suárez | Trackhouse Racing | Chevrolet | 301 | 24 |
| 17 | 19 | 31 | Justin Haley | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 301 | 20 |
| 18 | 16 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | JTG Daugherty Racing | Chevrolet | 301 | 19 |
| 19 | 14 | 16 | A. J. Allmendinger | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 301 | 18 |
| 20 | 28 | 21 | Harrison Burton | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 301 | 17 |
| 21 | 23 | 38 | Todd Gilliland | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 301 | 16 |
| 22 | 5 | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Team Penske | Ford | 301 | 28 |
| 23 | 31 | 1 | Ross Chastain | Trackhouse Racing | Chevrolet | 301 | 14 |
| 24 | 7 | 24 | William Byron | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 301 | 22 |
| 25 | 22 | 2 | Austin Cindric | Team Penske | Ford | 301 | 12 |
| 26 | 35 | 77 | Ty Dillon | Spire Motorsports | Chevrolet | 301 | 11 |
| 27 | 36 | 54 | Ty Gibbs (R) | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 301 | 10 |
| 28 | 21 | 41 | Ryan Preece | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 300 | 9 |
| 29 | 1 | 20 | Christopher Bell | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 299 | 14 |
| 30 | 33 | 15 | Ryan Newman | Rick Ware Racing | Ford | 299 | 7 |
| 31 | 32 | 78 | B. J. McLeod | Live Fast Motorsports | Chevrolet | 295 | 6 |
| 32 | 29 | 42 | Noah Gragson (R) | Legacy Motor Club | Chevrolet | 268 | 5 |
| 33 | 24 | 7 | Corey LaJoie | Spire Motorsports | Chevrolet | 176 | 4 |
| 34 | 3 | 10 | Aric Almirola | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 168 | 10 |
| 35 | 34 | 51 | Cole Custer (i) | Rick Ware Racing | Ford | 130 | 0 |
| 36 | 10 | 8 | Kyle Busch | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 71 | 1 |
| colspan="8"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/7/17/12320_UNOFFRES.pdf Official race results] |
=Race statistics=
- Lead changes: 13 among 9 different drivers
- Cautions/Laps: 8 for 41 laps
- Red flags: 0
- Time of race: 3 hours, 8 minutes, and 7 seconds
- Average speed: {{convert|101.572|mph|km/h}}
Media
=Television=
USA covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, four-time and all-time Loudon winner Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. called the race from the broadcast booth. Dave Burns, Kim Coon and Marty Snider handled the pit road duties from pit lane.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%" | |
| colspan="2"|USA | |
|---|---|
| Booth announcers | Pit reporters |
| Lap-by-lap: Rick Allen Color-commentator: Jeff Burton Color-commentator: Steve Letarte Color-commentator: Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dave Burns Kim Coon Marty Snider |
=Radio=
PRN had the radio call for the race, which was also simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Doug Rice and Mark Garrow called the race from the booth when the field races down the frontstretch. Rob Albright called the race from turns 1 & 2 and Pat Patterson called the race from turns 3 & 4. Brad Gillie, Brett McMillan and Wendy Venturini handled the duties on pit lane.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%" | ||
| colspan="3"|PRN | ||
|---|---|---|
| Booth announcers | Turn announcers | Pit reporters |
| Lead announcer: Doug Rice Announcer: Mark Garrow | Turns 1 & 2: Rob Albright Turns 3 & 4: Pat Patterson | Brad Gillie Brett McMillan Wendy Venturini |
Standings after the race
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
;Drivers' Championship standings
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| ! Pos
! Driver ! Points |
|---|
| align="left"| 10px 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 1 | style="background:#FFDEAD;"| Martin Truex Jr. | style="text-align:center;"| 667 |
| align="left"| 10px 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 2 | style="background:#FFDEAD;"| William Byron | style="text-align:center;"| 650 (–17) |
| align="left"| 10px 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 3 | style="background:#FFDEAD;"| Christopher Bell | style="text-align:center;"| 605 (–62) |
| align="left"| 10px 2
| style="text-align:center;"| 4 | style="background:#FFDEAD;"| Denny Hamlin | style="text-align:center;"| 601 (–66) |
| align="left"| 10px 2
| style="text-align:center;"| 5 | style="background:#FFDEAD;"| Kyle Busch | style="text-align:center;"| 593 (–74) |
| align="left"| 10px 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 6 | style="background:#FFDEAD;"| Ross Chastain | style="text-align:center;"| 589 (–78) |
| align="left"| 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 7 | style="background:#FFDEAD;"| Ryan Blaney | style="text-align:center;"| 581 (–86) |
| align="left"| 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 8 | style="background:#FFDEAD;"| Kyle Larson | style="text-align:center;"| 574 (–93) |
| align="left"| 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 9 | style="text-align:center;"| 568 (–99) |
| align="left"| 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 10 | style="background:#FFDEAD;"| Joey Logano | style="text-align:center;"| 563 (–104) |
| align="left"| 10px 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 11 | style="text-align:center;"| 539 (–128) |
| align="left"| 10px 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 12 | style="text-align:center;"| 528 (–139) |
| align="left"| 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 13 | style="background:#FFDEAD;"| Tyler Reddick | style="text-align:center;"| 516 (–151) |
| align="left"| 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 14 | style="background:#FFDEAD;"| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | style="text-align:center;"| 464 (–203) |
| align="left"| 10px 2
| style="text-align:center;"| 15 | style="text-align:center;"| 433 (–234) |
| align="left"| 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 16 | style="text-align:center;"| 432 (–235) |
| class="sortbottom"
!colspan="9"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/7/17/12320_UNOFFDRIVPTS.pdf Official driver's standings] |
{{col-2}}
;Manufacturers' Championship standings
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| ! Pos
! Manufacturer ! Points |
|---|
| align="left"| 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 756 |
| align="left"| 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 2 | Toyota | style="text-align:center;"| 689 (–67) |
| align="left"| 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 3 | Ford | style="text-align:center;"| 671 (–85) |
| class="sortbottom" |
- Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.
- . – Driver has clinched a position in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
{{col-end}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{NASCAR next race
| Series = NASCAR Cup Series
| Monsteryear = 2023
| Previous_race = 2023 Quaker State 400
| Next_race = 2023 HighPoint.com 400
}}
{{2023 NASCAR Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crayon 301}}
Category:2023 NASCAR Cup Series