2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, O'Reilly 300
The O'Reilly 300 was held April 14 at Texas Motor Speedway. David Ragan won his first career Busch Pole Award. The race, for the third time of the season, was dominated again by Kyle Busch, who hoped to turn his strong runs into a win. However, that day would not come as an unlucky caution during a green flag pit stop would again cost Kyle the victory. Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya appeared to have his second Busch Series win in the bag until he hit the clutch during a pit stop, leaving him with a loose lugnut. Juan would tangle with fellow rookie Marcos Ambrose and finish 30th. Denny Hamlin would hold the lead until Matt Kenseth, who had recovered from an early spin, took the lead with 11 laps left and would go on to win in Texas.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Bashas' Supermarkets 200
The Bashas' Supermarkets 200 was held April 20 at Phoenix International Raceway. Kyle Busch won the pole. The early portion of the race was dominated again by Busch. However, lady luck would, for the fourth time this season, deal Busch a bad hand. While running fifth after a restart, Busch attempted to pass Ryan Newman and thought he had cleared him. However, Busch came back down on Ryan's front bumper and they both ended up crashing. Running a partial schedule, Clint Bowyer would dominate the race, leading 120 of the 200 laps. His only contender seemed to be Matt Kenseth, who had previously passed Bowyer with 33 to go but Bowyer passed him back with 14 to go and held on to win his first race since Dover last fall.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Aaron's 312
The Aaron's 312 was held on April 28 at Talladega Superspeedway. The race is tagged as 312 miles (502 km) to pay homage to the title sponsor, Aaron's custom of letting customers rent an item for 12 months. Brad Coleman captured his first NASCAR pole. The race itself was an exciting one to watch. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the dominant car of the day until his transmission broke on a lap 95 restart.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Aaron's 312
Kyle Busch's streak of bad luck would continue as on lap 26, Tony Stewart made contact with Kyle Busch's left rear fender sending Kyle into the wall on the backstretch. Busch took a wild ride as the car slid across the track into the grass and flipped several times. From there, many cars, including surprises Kyle Krisiloff, and Juan Pablo Montoya were in contention for the win. But Tony Stewart, who was aiming to avenge his spectacular flip from one year ago, took the lead from Casey Mears with help from Kevin Harvick, Inc. teammate Bobby Labonte. However, Labonte pulled aside Stewart coming to the checkered flag in the trial to win his first Busch Series race since 1998.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Circuit City 250
The Circuit City 250 presented by Funai was held on May 4 at Richmond International Raceway. Denny Hamlin won the pole. In the Busch Series' first Friday night shootout of the season, Kevin Harvick aimed to make it a four-peat of consecutive wins at RIR. From the outset, pole-sitter Denny Hamlin dominated but was taken out early by Matt Kenseth. From there, Kenseth, Jeff Burton, and Clint Bowyer established themselves as the frontrunners. Matt Kenseth looked to have the race locked up until J. J. Yeley spun on lap 222 and cut Kenseth's 2-second lead.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Circuit City 250
During the final pit stop of the night, Kenseth had a mishap with the jack and came out behind Bowyer and Burton. On the last restart of the night, Bowyer pulled away from Kenseth and Buron to snap Harvick's win streak but give owner Richard Childress his fourth consecutive victory at RIR.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Diamond Hill Plywood 200
The Diamond Hill Plywood 200 was held May 11 at Darlington Raceway. Denny Hamlin captured his first win of the season from the pole.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Carquest Auto Parts 300
The Carquest Auto Parts 300 was held May 26 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Matt Kenseth won the pole. From the drop of the green, pit strategy played into the race. Although he was not running on fresh tires, Kurt Busch amazingly made his tires last for most of the race en route to leading the most laps. However, Busch's day would end as he would end up hitting the wall on lap 148. This accident gave the top 2 positions to Casey Mears and Kasey Kahne. Both drivers needed to rebound heavily from a struggling Nextel Cup season, and both wanted to carry any momentum from this race over into the 600. However, it was the latter Kasey who held off the competition to win his first NASCAR race since October.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Carquest Auto Parts 300
Did not qualify: No. 0-Eric McClure, No. 32-Bill Elliott, No. 72-Kevin Lepage, No. 95-Blake Feese


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Dover 200
The Dover 200 was held June 2 at Dover International Speedway. Denny Hamlin won the pole. The race would end up being dominated by Carl Edwards, whom many had dubbed the "Concrete Carl" for his victories on concrete. True to his nickname, Edwards dominated the race, leading for 122 of the 200 laps.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Federated Auto Parts 300
The Federated Auto Parts 300 presented by Dollar General was held June 9 at Nashville Superspeedway. Steve Wallace won the pole. This race was seen as an opportunity for Busch Series regulars to upset the Cup drivers who had to fly from Pocono to Nashville. Although Carl Edwards had no seat time in a car practiced by Matt McCall, he laid down the 7th quickest lap time. From the drop of the green, the race was a good mix of contending Busch regulars and Cup stars. Although Clint Bowyer seemed to have the car to beat, it was Edwards who had the upper hand and recorded his second consecutive win.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Meijer 300
The Meijer 300 presented by Oreo was held June 16 at Kentucky Speedway. Regan Smith won his first career pole (even after hitting a seagull on his second qualifying lap), making it seven different pole winners in seven races. Many Busch regulars, including Smith, were aspiring to end the Cup drivers' parade by pulling out a victory. From the drop of the green, it looked as though Smith would be the class of the field. However, a refiring problem during a pit stop cost him 2 laps, but amazingly rallied back.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Meijer 300
The race, unfortunately for the Busch regulars, would be handed to Carl Edwards. Edwards again dominated the race and looked to have it in hand until he was tagged by Steve Wallace on a restart. It was Stephen Leicht who downed the Buschwhackers and fulfilled that dream to earn his 1st career Busch Series victory.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, AT&T 250
The AT&T 250 took place on June 23 at The Milwaukee Mile. Aric Almirola won the pole, but in an interesting twist, the No. 20's regular driver, Denny Hamlin, was late getting back from Sonoma, so Almirola took the green flag. The race would be again dominated by Carl Edwards, who was looking to bounce back from his worst finish of the year (33rd at Kentucky). Edwards had the field covered, leading for 123 laps until an unscheduled pit stop forced Edwards down pit road and pinned him a lap down.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, AT&T 250
A tough decision had to be made by Dave Rogers, crew chief on the 20. Hamlin had arrived on the track at lap 43, and Almirola was still running in third. Rogers decided to put Hamlin in the car at lap 59 instead of leaving Almirola in it. The decision, although tough, paid off as Hamlin held off Wisconsin native Scott Wimmer to cross the start/finish line in first, but Almirola was credited with his first career NASCAR Busch Series victory. Hamlin also became the first relief driver to finish first since Jack Ingram handed his car over to Harry Gant at Darlington Raceway and finished first.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, AT&T 250
Note: Denny Hamlin came in for Almirola on lap 60 and finished first. The win, points, and earnings were given to Almirola.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Camping World 200 presented by RVs.com
The Camping World 200 presented by RVs.com was held June 30 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Kevin Harvick won the pole. Harvick established that he had the car to beat throughout the race. This domination was highlighted by the fact that he led 166 of 200 laps. The race included a short red flag for a crash involving J. J. Yeley and Marcos Ambrose. Juan Pablo Montoya, coming off his first ever Cup victory and with a new crew chief in Brian Pattie, was taken out by Clint Bowyer on lap 165, setting up the run to the finish.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Camping World 200 presented by RVs.com
Although points leader Carl Edwards tried many times to pass Harvick, he would settle for second. In an ironic twist, Harvick, driving the No. 21 Chevy, became the 21st different winner in 21 Busch Series races at NHIS. After the race Carl Edwards suffered a 25-point penalty for the use of illegal shocks found after the race.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Camping World 200 presented by RVs.com
Note: An accident in practice sent No. 52-Ian Henderson home as he did not have a backup car and was unable to make repairs.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Winn-Dixie 250
The Winn-Dixie 250 presented by PepsiCo was held July 6 at Daytona International Speedway. Jason Leffler won the pole. The race was postponed to July 7 due to a rainstorm that cancelled Bud Pole Qualifying for the Nextel Cup Series race to be held there. Throughout the season, Kyle Busch had been hampered by terrible luck, either through faulty pit stops, penalties, or crashes. However, on this day, it looked as though, again, Busch had the car to beat. But this time, he finished the deal in style, holding off Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick and Dave Blaney for his first win of the season.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, USG Durock 300
The USG Durock 300 was held on July 14 at Chicagoland Speedway. Denny Hamlin won the pole. Fresh off of his first victory of the season, Kyle Busch would again take command of the race. However, this race featured many contending drivers, including the likes of Matt Kenseth,  Busch Series points leader Carl Edwards, and the Richard Childress Racing trio of Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, and Clint Bowyer. The race would feature many twists, including many of the above-mentioned drivers struggling to simply get onto pit road for a pit stop.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, USG Durock 300
For Burton, his problem was heavily documented by ABC as he was enduring 100-degree heat inside his car without a working AC system. Eventually, the moment of the race would be decided under a caution flag. As Kyle Busch, who was leading the race, ducked down pit road, it appeared as though all of the leaders would follow suit. However, the other leaders faked the dominant Busch onto pit road, forcing the frustrated driver to rally to 5th by the end. Up front, Kevin Harvick pulled away from Matt Kenseth to become the first Busch Series repeat winner at Chicagoland.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Gateway 250
The Gateway 250 was held July 21 at Gateway International Raceway. Scott Wimmer won his first career pole. The race would feature many "young guns", or drivers who had a lot of talent but no experience. Featuring over 19 rookies, including the likes of Landon Cassill, development driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Travis Kittleson and Brad Coleman, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, Third-generation driver Brad Keselowski, among others. However, with a high number of young drivers in the field, mixed with a difficult racetrack would combine to form many caution flags. However, Reed Sorenson, who had won at GIR in 2005, was looking to snap his 61-race losing streak. He would do so, avoiding accidents, and even coming back from an unscheduled green flag pit stop to take his first victory of the season.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Kroger 200
The Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children was held on July 28 at O'Reilly Raceway Park. Aric Almirola won the pole. Fresh from qualifying at the Brickyard, the Nextel Cup drivers converged with the Busch regulars at ORP. The race would be dominated by Greg Biffle, who is in the midst of a dismal year. Biffle showed the field that he had not lost any talent, leading 94 of the 200 laps. However, Busch regular Jason Leffler would trump the "Buschwhackers" with a pass on Biffle with 2 to go. Leffler would hold on the get his second career victory since 2004 and the historic first win for Toyota in a stock car.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Kroger 200
Note: Following the race, Greg Biffle was fined $5,000 and place on probation until December 31 for failing to meet his post-race media obligations.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, NAPA Auto Parts 200
The inaugural NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge took place on August 4 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. This was the Busch Series second international road course and the first time that any of NASCAR's top three series has gone to Canada. Canadian native and ex-Champ Car driver Patrick Carpentier won his first career pole. The race would be dominated by former V8 Supercars champion and Busch Series rookie Marcos Ambrose.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, NAPA Auto Parts 200
However, road course ringers such as Scott Pruett and Niclas Jönsson, "Buschwhackers" Carl Edwards, Robby Gordon, and Kevin Harvick, along with Canadian natives Ron Fellows and Carpentier. The race was predicted to be a wreckfest due to the many hard braking points along the circuit. However, there were only five caution flags, with three for blown engines. With the race winding down, many drivers tried desperate moves to get to the front. The excitement started when Harvick tangled with road course ringers Pruett and Fellows, causing a major pileup involving the likes of Jeff Burton, Brad Coleman, and Andy Pilgrim.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, NAPA Auto Parts 200
However, Robby Gordon was thought to have made the winning pass of Ambrose in Turn 3 before Ambrose spun Gordon out. During the ensuing caution, Gordon had not maintained the minimum speed limit to maintain one's position, and was to be placed behind Ron Fellows. Gordon, however, could not find Fellows' car and was black-flagged. In an unsurprising move, Gordon bumped back Ambrose and spun him out, handing the race lead to Kevin Harvick.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, NAPA Auto Parts 200
Going from last to first, and being on a shaky fuel mileage strategy, Harvick held off polesitter Carpentier to win the inaugural Busch Series race in Montreal. Gordon was disqualified from his position, and suspended for the Nextel Cup Pennsylvania 500 the following day. Two days later, Gordon was docked $35,000 (US), and was placed on probation for the rest of 2007. Once the caution came out on Lap 72 the field was frozen. Once the field is frozen, all cars must maintain cautious pace in order to be scored.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, NAPA Auto Parts 200
At the time that the field was frozen, the 59 was in the lead. The 55 did not maintain cautious pace and by NASCAR rules, cars not maintaining cautious pace are scored only when they blend back into the continuous line. The 55 based on our scoring was ordered to blend back in behind the 33 [and] in front of the 7. The tower ordered the 55 multiple times to get into position. The directive was acknowledged by the crew chief of the 55 and the crew chief also communicated the order to the driver of the 55.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, NAPA Auto Parts 200
The driver ignored NASCAR’s directive. He was warned that he would be black-flagged if he did not comply. Once the 55 crossed the start-finish line he was posted per the NASCAR rule book and at that time the directive to display the black flag was given. After contact with the 59 on Lap 73, NASCAR took emergency action per the rule book Section 12-2 thus parking the 55, which was also ignored.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, NAPA Auto Parts 200
The black flag with the white cross was displayed to the 55 when it crossed the start-finish line on Lap 74, which was also the only time this flag was shown in any NASCAR series. The 55 finished the race in the 18th position. Patrick Carpentier, who finished 2nd suffered a 25 point penalty for an unapproved adjustment on his car found during post-race inspection.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Zippo 200 at The Glen
The Zippo 200 at The Glen was held August 11 at Watkins Glen International. Kurt Busch won the pole. This is the final road course on the Busch Series schedule. Busch would dominate early, but the entire race changed when road course ringer Max Papis blew an engine on lap 2. Pit strategy was key at this point as many chose to pit for fresh tires. One of those was Montreal winner Kevin Harvick, who took command on lap 50 and never looked back as he won his second consecutive road course race, and tied Jack Ingram for second on the all-time wins list with 31.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, CarFax 250
The CarFax 250 was held August 18 at Michigan International Speedway. Greg Biffle won the pole. From the drop of the green flag, it was established that the two best cars belonged to Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin. Taking advantage of the multi-grooved racetrack, the two swapped lines almost every lap. However, the bigger story of the day was with Busch Series points leader Carl Edwards.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, CarFax 250
Although his points lead in drivers standings was immense, that was not the case for owners points, as his two consecutive finishes of 30th or worse put the No. 29 car of Richard Childress Racing only 41 points behind. Edwards was hoping to get his season back on track. However, that was not to be as he got loose off of turn 2 and lost a lap, giving him another 30th or worse finish. While Edwards struggled, Hamlin dominated the race, leading 69 laps en route to his second win of the season.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Food City 250
The Food City 250 was held on August 24 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jason Leffler won the pole. Based on the racing that the truck race provided, the Busch race was expected to be no different with the use of the outside lane and more two wide racing. From the green, it appeared as though Jeff Burton would have the car to beat. However, his night ended abruptly when Eric McClure blew a right front tire in front of Burton, handing the lead back to Leffler.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Food City 250
Pit strategy and tires were key in this race, as the lead was traded between Kyle Busch, Leffler, David Reutimann, and Ryan Newman. One highlight of the race was when the red flag came out during the middle of this race for a hard crash between rookie Marcos Ambrose and Robert Richardson Jr. Busch's shot at victory would end with a controversial commitment line violation, although commentator Andy Petree noted that Busch did fake going onto pit road. Back at the front, the lead had been given to Ryan Newman, who was on 170 lap old tires.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Food City 250
However, the cars of Kasey Kahne, Jason Leffler, and David Reutimann were all lurking in Newmans mirror. Finally, with 10 laps to go, Kahne made a daring three wide pass on Newman and Leffler going into turn one. The inevitable contact ruined Newman's right front tire, ending his night. Surprisingly, with 5 laps to go, NASCAR on ESPN lost its satellite feed, ruining the suspenseful finish for TV viewers. ESPN came back with Kahne taking the checkered flag and Leffler spinning across the line in second after a tap from Reutimann.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Food City 250
NOTE: The No. 08 of Jason White withdrew his entry after a crash in practice.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Camping World 300 presented by RVs.com
The Camping World 300 presented by RVs.com was held on September 2 at California Speedway. Denny Hamlin won the pole. At the start, the dominant cars of the race belonged to Jimmie Johnson, Brian Vickers, Hamlin, and Jeff Burton. Many felt that Vickers' No. 10 Toyota was the car to beat. However, late in the race, his tires wore out on him and Vickers was later involved in a late race crash, involving Stephen Leicht, spring race winner Matt Kenseth, and Busch Series points leader Carl Edwards.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Camping World 300 presented by RVs.com
The race took a scary turn when the car of Brad Keselowski was involved in a fiery four-car incident involving A. J. Allmendinger, Eric McClure and J. J. Yeley. ESPN determined that Keselowski was heading for the Turn 1 wall at over 140 mph (230 km/h) and instantly decelerated on impact. Keselowski was later airlifted to the hospital for a bruised leg. Afterwards, the lead would be traded between Burton, Kyle Busch, and polesitter Denny Hamlin.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Camping World 300 presented by RVs.com
On the fifth caution flag of the night, Burton, knowing he would be 3 laps short on fuel, decided to come down pit road and take on fresh tires while Busch stayed out and inherited the lead. Burton's strategy worked as he passed Busch with 8 laps to go and held on for his third win of the season.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Emerson Radio 250
The Emerson Radio 250 was held September 8 at Richmond International Raceway. Kyle Busch won the pole. From the drop of the green, it was established that Busch had the car to beat. The only other car that could challenge the nearly unstoppable Busch was that of Matt Kenseth, who led for 17 laps before spinning late to avoid a spinning Paul Menard. The red flag was brought out late for a blown engine by Derrike Cope. Kyle Busch took command after the red flag and would lead a total of 225 laps en route to his second victory at RIR.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, RoadLoans.com 200
The RoadLoans.com 200 was held September 22 at Dover International Speedway. Greg Biffle won the pole. During NASCAR on ESPN's broadcast, it was documented that Denny Hamlin had a case of the flu and had future teammate Kyle Busch standing by. The other story of the day was the amount of so-called "young guns" such as Brad Keselowski, Steve Wallace, Danny Efland, Kyle Krisiloff, and development drivers Landon Cassill and Brad Keselowski. The high number of these young drivers combined with the tricky and physically demanding "Monster Mile" made into a crashfest, including 13 caution flags.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, RoadLoans.com 200
The big highlight of the race was when Robby Gordon was attempting to block the No. 41 of Reed Sorenson. Tony Raines was clipped by Gordon. In a fit of rage, and due to the fact that Tony's sponsor, RoadLoans.com, was sponsoring the race, exited his car, and threw his helmet at Gordon. However, the helmet missed and bounced off another car. Raines received a 25-point penalty after the race. In the melee, many strong cars, such as those of polesitter Biffle and Mike Bliss had pit problems early on, but both rallied to finish fourth and ninth, respectively. However, making no mistakes at all was Denny Hamlin, who avoided the carnage to dominate, leading 138 of 200 laps, holding off hometown hero Martin Truex Jr. for his third win of the season.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Yellow Transportation 300
The Yellow Transportation 300 was held on September 29 at Kansas Speedway. Matt Kenseth won the pole. This was a historic race for veteran Jason Keller because when he took the green flag for this race, it marked his 417th Busch Series start, tying Tommy Houston for 1st on the all time starts list. From the start, Kenseth established himself as the car to beat. While Kenseth led, other drivers had trouble.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Yellow Transportation 300
Seemingly out of his slump, points leader Carl Edwards experienced trouble again, in the form of a cut tire sending him into the wall with just under 50 laps to go. Kenseth's domination was short lived, however, as cars such as those of Emporia native Clint Bowyer and Kyle Busch came to life. Busch was especially determined as he was forced to rally from an early speeding penalty. On the final restart with 14 to go, Kenseth and Busch would have a shootout to the checkered flag, with Busch prevailing by .085 thousandths of a second.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Yellow Transportation 300
Did not qualify: No. 44-Jennifer Jo Cobb, No. 89-Morgan Shepherd


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Yellow Transportation 300
Note: The No. 61 of Josh Krug did not make an attempt due to a crash in practice.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Dollar General 300
The Dollar General 300 was held on October 12 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. By taking the green flag for the race, Jason Keller became the all time starts leader in the NASCAR Busch Series with 418. Greg Biffle won the pole. With the craziness of the previous year's race, much of the same was expected out of this year's race. The combination of a freshly paved racetrack, hard Goodyear tires, and a famously loose turn 4, the race became one of survival as driver after driver spun. Another top storyline was the "fight" for the drivers championship.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Dollar General 300
Carl Edwards simply needed David Reutimann to struggle to wrap up the championship. To the surprise of ESPN analyst Andy Petree, most of the driver who caused the cautions were Cup drivers in the Chase. "The Big One" was surprisingly triggered by 2nd place in Nextel Cup points Jimmie Johnson, who spun alone in turn 2, collecting points leader Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Keller, and Kentucky winner Stephen Leicht. Other wrecks involved polesitter Biffle and Clint Bowyer, although the latter was able to rally for an eighth-place finish.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Dollar General 300
While the wrecks were taking place, Jeff Burton, forced to the back because of an engine change, steadily worked his way through the field, taking the lead on lap 169. He would not look back as he held off Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. for his third win at Lowe's.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Dollar General 300
Did not qualify: No. 0-Eric McClure, No. 61-Travis Kittleson, No. 72-D. J. Kennington


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Sam's Town 250
The Sam's Town 250 was held October 27 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Marcos Ambrose won his first NASCAR career pole. This race marked the Busch Series debut of 2007 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2007 IndyCar season champion Dario Franchitti, as well as Rolex Sports Car Series driver Colin Braun. Also, 18-year-old Chase Austin became the first African-American to start a Busch Series race since Bill Lester in 1999. The race would be dominated by crashes, including one that thwarted Edwards' bid to lock up the championship.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Sam's Town 250
Through all the wrecks, a previously winless Reutimann dominated the race, holding off Mike Bliss and David Ragan on a green-white-checkered finish to win his first career Busch Series race and the second for Toyota on a short track. The race was slowed by 25 cautions, a record for the year and 1 caution short of the Series all-time record. Ron Young, who finished 17th, suffered a 50-point penalty after illegal shock absorbers were found during post-race inspection.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Sam's Town 250
Did not qualify: No. 01 -Kertus Davis, No. 12-Marc Mitchell, No. 44-Mike Harmon, No. 52-Chris Lawson, No. 54-Carl Long, No. 89-Morgan Shepherd


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, O'Reilly Challenge
The O'Reilly Challenge was held November 3 at Texas Motor Speedway. Memphis winner David Reutimann earned his first career pole. Tony Stewart dominated the day, leading 144 laps. However, a collision with the lapped car of Kyle Krisiloff put him in 16th place after repairs to his car, later rallying to 7th.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, O'Reilly Challenge
Greg Biffle would pass Denny Hamlin on lap 140 for the lead, it seemed he was on his way to his first Busch Series victory of the season but he pitted on lap 166 for what he thought was a flat tire but later it turned out that the tire was fine. Kevin Harvick would take over the top spot, easily holding off Kyle Busch for his third consecutive fall Texas win. Carl Edwards clinched the championship and finished 11th in the race.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, O'Reilly Challenge
Did not qualify: No. 05 -Brett Rowe, No. 44-Mike Harmon, No. 72-D. J. Kennington


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Arizona.Travel 200
The Arizona. Travel 200 was held November 10 at Phoenix International Raceway. Clint Bowyer won his first pole of the season. The race was slowed by 11 cautions and 2 red flags. Kyle Busch dominated the race leading 132 laps and holding off Matt Kenseth (who had lost his power steering) on a green-white-checkered finish. This race marked the end of Kyle Busch's 4 year Busch Series career at Hendrick Motorsports as Mark Martin drove the No. 5 at the Homestead-Miami race. Beginning in 2008 Kyle Busch will drive for Joe Gibbs Racing. Matt Kenseth suffered a 25-point penalty for unapproved adjustments found during post-race inspection.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Arizona.Travel 200
Did not qualify: No. 0-Eric McClure, No. 34-Brian Pannone, No. 44-Jennifer Jo Cobb, No. 89-Morgan Shepherd


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Ford 300
The Ford 300 was held November 17 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. David Ragan won the pole (David chose to start the race in the outside lane rather than the inside lane; all pole winners are given this option in NASCAR races). This was the final race with Anheuser-Busch sponsorship, and Carl Edwards was officially crowned the 2007 and final Busch Series champion, as Nationwide Insurance takes over in 2008. Jeff Burton would take the final checkered flag of 2007 and with it, Richard Childress' third owner's championship.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Races, Ford 300
Did not qualify: No. 0-Eric McClure, No. 01 -Kertus Davis, No. 44-Jennifer Jo Cobb, No. 72-D. J. Kennington


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Final standings, Full Drivers' Championship
(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Final standings, Declaring for points in one series: Rules change for 2011
This was the fourth-to-last season where Cup Series drivers could run for points in another series. NASCAR implemented this change after Cup drivers were winning the Busch/Nationwide championships over the series regulars for 5 years straight (2006-2010). If the change had been implemented for the 2007 season, Leffler would have been the champion. The rest of the top 10 in the standings would have been Hamilton Jr. in 2nd, Leicht, Ambrose, Mike Wallace (who finished 11th in points), Scott Wimmer (14th), Kyle Krisiloff (18th), Steve Wallace (19th), Mike Bliss (21st), and Brent Sherman (23rd).


2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Final standings, Declaring for points in one series: Rules change for 2011
Wimmer and Bliss were only running part-time in 2007 and they still would have finished in the top 10 in points. Sherman was released from his ride (the No. 36 for McGill Motorsports) with five races to go in the season, and he too would have finished in the top 10 in points.


2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series
The 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series was the inaugural season for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series with the first event being held on May 26, 2007 at Cayuga Motor Speedway and Don Thomson Jr. won in a spirited battle for the first series win. Andrew Ranger, in his first year of stock-car competition, won the second race at Mosport International Raceway. He took over the lead in the point standings after that event and never relinquished it on his way to the first championship. The first season saw no less than five races decided on last lap passes.


2007 NASCAR Corona Series
The 2007 NASCAR Corona Series is the fourth season of NASCAR Mexico's major stock car racing series and the first under the name NASCAR Corona Series.


2007 NASCAR Corona Series, Schedule
The series kicked off at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, with a non-points-paying race during the weekend of March 4, along with events from the Busch Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series. The race was won by Carlos Pardo (#14 Dodge), followed by Rafael Martínez (#19 Ford) and Freddy Tame, Jr. (#18 Ford).


2007 NASCAR Corona Series, Schedule
The schedule will consist of 14 points-paying races after the Mexico City race, 10 of which will be double-feature events with the NASCAR Mexico T4 Series.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season was the thirteenth season of the third highest stock car racing series in North America. Sanctioned by NASCAR, the season began on February 16, 2007, at Daytona International Speedway with the Chevy Silverado HD 250, and ended on November 16, 2007, with the Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Ron Hornaday Jr. of Kevin Harvick, Inc. was crowned champion.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Schedule
The season schedule consisted of 25 races held at tracks across the United States.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Schedule, Television coverage
Fox-owned Speed again covered the entire 2007 Truck Series season, except for two races on Fox.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Teams and drivers, Driver changes
Also, beginning this season, the trucks will be identical from the windshield to the rear of the truck. However, the noses will continue to be branded as the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, and Toyota Tundra.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Chevrolet Silverado HD 250
This race was held February 16 at Daytona International Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole and would win the race from the pole. On the final lap, Travis Kvapil, only a few yards short of taking the second consecutive victory at Daytona for the 6 truck, was passed by the Toyota Tundras of Sprague on the high side and Johnny Benson, who had given Sprague a bump, near (but not on) the apron in a three-wide finish reminiscent of the 2003 Daytona race which ironically Kvapil also lost.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, San Bernardino County 200
This race was held February 23 at California Speedway. Carl Edwards won the pole in the Roush Fenway Racing No. 50 truck. On one of the 2nd from the final restart No. 33 Ron Hornaday Jr. spun out No. 21 Mark Martin due to a slow restart, the caution flag was soon waved but not until after No. 5 Mike Skinner made the pass for the lead. NASCAR did not issue any penalties to the No. 33 team and Mark Martin after the spin ended up finishing 23rd. On the final restart, Skinner held off No. 33 Ron Hornaday to get his first truck series win since last year at Las Vegas.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, American Commercial Lines 200
The American Commercial Lines 200 was held March 16 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mike Skinner won the pole. In another exciting race for the NCTS, Nextel Cup Series regular Clint Bowyer held the lead on a restart with seven laps to go. While he tried to bunch up the field on a restart, California winner Mike Skinner bumped Bowyer out of the way and went on to win his second consecutive race. Despite the bump and run, Bowyer finished 5th.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Kroger 250
The Kroger 250 was held on April 1 at Martinsville Speedway. Mike Skinner won the pole. Skinner would win his third consecutive race and second in a row from pole. Skinner dominated the Martinsville short track, leading 246 laps, easily breaking Rich Bickle's old record of leading 204 laps en route to victory in 1997.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Kroger 250
Failed to qualify: Bradley Riethmeyer (No. 49), Brian Sockwell (No. 54), Shane Sieg (No. 28), Chris Jones (No. 87), Tim Cowen (No. 42)


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, O'Reilly Auto Parts 250
The O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 was held on April 28 at Kansas Speedway. This race was moved from its traditional July weekend to late April in hopes of cooler temperatures. It was also held in conjunction with the IndyCar Series' event, the Kansas Indy 300. The race was dominated by 2006 Raybestos Rookie of the Year Erik Darnell, who would lead 91 of 166 laps en route to his first career NCTS victory. Darnell's win ended the win streak of Mike Skinner, who started from the pole but had trouble in the pits.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Quaker Steak & Lube 200
The Quaker Steak & Lube 200 was held on May 18 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Mike Skinner won the pole. The race saw a classic showdown between truck series veteran Ron Hornaday Jr. and Nextel Cup Series rookie A. J. Allmendinger. However, the veteran stole the show by passing Allmendinger with 36 laps to go. It looked like Hornaday might coast to victory, but Johnny Benson, who had already been in controversy during the week, cut a tire with 11 laps to go. However, Hornaday held off Allmendinger and Todd Bodine to take his first truck victory of the season. The win also gave Chevrolet its first truck win since Texas last year.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Quaker Steak & Lube 200
Johnny Benson allowed a non-licensed NASCAR driver to test his truck, and was assessed a 50-point penalty.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, NCTS Ohio 250
The NCTS Ohio 250 was held on May 26 at Mansfield Motorsports Park. Mike Skinner won the pole. In a race that featured much attrition and varying strategies, it seemed as though Matt Crafton would be able to end his 154 race winless drought by going on an unbelievable no-stop strategy. However, two six-hour rain delays held up his goal. Although Crafton had the lead after the delay, he soon lost the top spot to Rick Crawford and would eventually blow out a tire.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, NCTS Ohio 250
Crawford, meanwhile, dominated the race, leading the most laps, as his only contenders were rookie Aaron Fike and "Short Track Slayer" Dennis Setzer. When it seemed as though Crawford would sail to an easy win, he cut down a tire with 11 laps to go, handing the lead to Setzer. For Setzer, it had been almost 2 years since he last won a race, and for his Spears Racing team, they had not won since Phoenix in 2004. The crafty veteran outlasted the competition on a shocking no stop strategy to win. Second-place finisher Jack Sprague said that it was unbelievable that Setzer won without pitting.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, AAA Insurance 200
The AAA Insurance 200 was held June 1 at Dover International Speedway. Mike Skinner won his sixth consecutive pole. This race was a historic milestone for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, as it was the series' 300th race. The race featured early attrition, including a six-truck pileup on the first lap involving Cup drivers Clint Bowyer and Ken Schrader, along with truck drivers Brendan Gaughan, Bill Lester, Erik Darnell, and Jack Sprague. From the outset, it appeared as though Kyle Busch would walk away with another victory at Dover. However, Ron Hornaday Jr. began to catch up to Busch, who was having handling problems. Hornaday would eventually win by 7 seconds over Stacy Compton.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Sam's Town 400
The Sam's Town 400 was held June 8 at Texas Motor Speedway. Todd Bodine won the pole, breaking Mike Skinner's six pole streak. The race was action-packed, and fuel mileage and strategy became a factor late in the race. With only a few laps to go, Travis Kvapil, looking for his first NCTS victory since 2004, was leading on a restart when he was bumped by Todd Bodine. Points leader Mike Skinner chased Bodine down but did not have enough for the eventual winner.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Michigan 200
The Michigan 200 was held on June 16 at Michigan International Speedway. Travis Kvapil won the pole. The race was dominated by part-time Nextel Cup Series driver Mark Martin, who led for 35 laps before retiring with a blown engine. After Martin's exit, the race lead was handed over to another Cup driver, Kyle Busch, who appeared to have another truck win in sight but was battling an extremely loose truck. Eventually, after 99 laps of hard racing, polesitter Travis Kvapil took advantage of Busch's problems and passed him coming to the white flag. Kvapil would hold on to win his first race since 2004.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200
The Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200 took place June 22 at the Milwaukee Mile. Mike Skinner won the pole. Like most races of the 2007 NCTS season, Mike Skinner dominated the first half of the race, leading 103 laps. However, defending winner Johnny Benson was looking to jumpstart his season. Benson Jr. would eventually pass Skinner just past the halfway mark and would not look back, leading 96 laps en route to his first victory of the season. Ted Musgrave suffered a 50-point penalty after intentionally wrecking another truck while under caution.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, O'Reilly 200
The O'Reilly 200 was held June 30 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Brad Keselowski won his first career pole. Subbing for a suspended Ted Musgrave, Keselowski had, as race analyst Phil Parsons called it, "the biggest night of his career". Keselowski was recommended by NASCAR veterans such as Mark Martin and Todd Bodine. He led the first 20 laps from pole before being passed by veteran Ron Hornaday Jr.. However, as Ron's truck faded, Keselowski's got better and had the truck to beat, with his only competitor being 2002 Memphis winner Travis Kvapil.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, O'Reilly 200
Brad was leading with 9 laps to go until Kvapil took advantage of Keselowski's loose truck and unintentionally spun him off at turn 4. Keselowski would end the bittersweet night in 16th. With the polesitter out of contention, the race was in the hands of Kvapil, who held off a hard charging Jack Sprague to win.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Built Ford Tough 225 presented by Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers
The Built Ford Tough 225 took place on July 14 at Kentucky Speedway. Ryan Mathews won his first career pole. However, it was African American driver Bill Lester to lead the first lap as Mathews struggled on restarts all night. As a testament to the competitive nature at Kentucky Speedway, there were four lead changes in the first eight laps of the race. The race, like many others, would end up being dominated by Mike Skinner, who led the field for 135 of 150 laps en route to cruising to his fourth win of the season. Travis Kvapil suffered a 25-point penalty for an illegal part found in his truck during post race inspection.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Power Stroke Diesel 200
The Power Stroke Diesel 200 took place July 27 at O'Reilly Raceway Park. Mike Skinner won the pole as qualifying was rained out and set by owners points.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Toyota Tundra 200
The Toyota Tundra 200 took place August 11 at Nashville Superspeedway. Mike Skinner won the pole. Skinner dominated the race, leading the first 102 laps. However, multiple encounters with lap traffic hampered his chances for victory, and 2003 NCTS champ Travis Kvapil took the lead from him on a green flag run. During the final 50 lap stretch, Kvapil held off restart master Ron Hornaday Jr. to take his first win at Nashville. Kvapil later dedicated the race to Bobby Hamilton who won the race in 2004 en route to his championship.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 presented by Valvoline Maxlife
The O'Reilly 200 presented by Valvoline Maxlife was held August 22 at the newly repaved Bristol Motor Speedway. Travis Kvapil won the pole. The resurfacing of BMS would present exciting racing in the 200-lap race. With the old concrete, there was much more single file racing on the bottom groove, but the new progressively banked surface allowed for the use of the outside lane, which had not been used in years. From the start, it seemed as though Kvapil would walk away with another victory. However, crew chief for the No. 23 Toyota, Trip Bruce, had other ideas.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 presented by Valvoline Maxlife
Calling his driver, Johnny Benson, onto pit road on lap 40 with other trucks having pitted on a previous caution, race analyst Michael Waltrip criticized his plan, writing them out of contention. With 30 to go, however, the entire race would change. Nextel Cup Series regular Kyle Busch and Kvapil battled for the lead, but Busch's loose truck caused him to slide into Kvapil, sending them both spinning. This incident handed the lead to a charging Benson Jr.. Not even a red flag for a spin by Todd Bodine could stop "JB" who held off Brendan Gaughan and defending winner Mark Martin for his second victory in 2007.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Missouri/Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200
The Missouri/Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200 was held September 1 at Gateway International Raceway. Mike Skinner won the pole. Although Skinner would lead the first 19 laps, his chances of victory would end with a cut right front tire, sending him hard into the wall. Skinner, with his crew, would repair the truck and later return to the race. With Skinner in the garage, the race lead would turn to his championship rival, Ron Hornaday Jr., who dominated the race. However, fellow contender Johnny Benson took advantage of Hornaday's loose truck, passing him with 13 laps to go and holding of the "Restart Master" for his second consecutive win, albeit under caution, as Ryan Mathews crashed on the final lap.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, New Hampshire 200
The New Hampshire 200 was held September 15 at New Hampshire International Speedway. As qualifying was rained out, Ron Hornaday Jr. won the pole based on owners points. From pole, Hornaday crushed the field, leading 174 of 200 laps en route to his second win of the season. Hornaday also became the first repeat NCTS winner at Loudon and extended his points lead over Mike Skinner by 29 points.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Smith's Las Vegas 350
The Smith's Las Vegas 350 was held September 22 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Travis Kvapil won the pole. This race marked the historic debut of two open wheel drivers, 1995 Indianapolis 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve and 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier. This race also highlighted the tight points championship between two former champions in Ron Hornaday Jr. and Mike Skinner, with Skinner trailing by 29 points. With the new repaved surface, exciting 2 and 3 wide racing was expected. In his debut, Villeneuve impressed many by starting 7th.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Smith's Las Vegas 350
However, he was involved in an altercation with the No. 16 of Brian Scott and would finish 21st. Lazier would also struggle, going down a lap early and finishing 24th. The early run had the typical affair of Todd Bodine, Travis Kvapil, Ron Hornaday Jr., and even Chad McCumbee running up front. However, trucks such as those of Jon Wood and Stacy Compton would later reach the front. Wood, who was running part-time in the trucks after an illness, took command of the race, holding off championship contenders such as Johnny Benson and Kvapil.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Smith's Las Vegas 350
With Skinner struggling with his truck, it looked like Hornaday would extend his points lead heading into Talladega. However, a blown tire with 11 to go not only erased Hornaday's point lead, but gave Mike Skinner a 3-point advantage. Within the race, the win would come down to the trucks of Jon Wood, Travis Kvapil, and Johnny Benson.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Smith's Las Vegas 350
Wood exhausted the truck throughout the run and would have nothing left for Kvapil and Benson Jr., settling for 3rd. Benson Jr., going for his fourth win of the season, charged Kvapil from the low line, but Kvapil had enough momentum to hold off Benson Jr. for his fourth win of 2007.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Mountain Dew 250
The Mountain Dew 250 was held on October 6 at Talladega Superspeedway. Todd Bodine won the pole. Of note, 1997 Formula One world champion Jacques Villeneuve made another strong statement in qualifying 10th for the race. Tight packs of 2, 3, and even 4 wide racing was anticipated, based on the excitement of the inaugural race in 2006. The championship race between Mike Skinner, Ron Hornaday Jr., Travis Kvapil, and defending champion Todd Bodine continued to tighten.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Mountain Dew 250
The pivotal point in the race came on lap 73 as Jack Sprague, who is in the midst of a difficult year, cut a tire down while leading. Johnny Benson, who ironically pushed Sprague to the win at Daytona, got into the back of his slowing car, triggering "The Big One". The crash collected contenders Hornaday and Kvapil, although the former was able to rally to a top 10 finish. After the crash, points leader Skinner had problems in the form of a loosened hood pin.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Mountain Dew 250
The pin eventually broke off and his hood began to flap wildly, prompting NASCAR to black flag him. However, as soon as Skinner was about to pit under green, the truck of Mike Wallace spun, allowing Skinner to remain on the lead lap. With only two laps to go, the racing became tighter than ever, as Rick Crawford and Benson Jr. would use the draft to go three wide with Bodine in the tri-oval, but Crawford would come up short by only 0.014 seconds.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Kroger 200
The Kroger 200 was held October 20 at Martinsville Speedway. Defending winner Jack Sprague won the pole. This race marked the NASCAR debut of 2007 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2007 IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti. The race would be dominated by Terry Cook, using a no stop strategy similar to the one Dennis Setzer used to win earlier in the year at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway. With huge accidents taking out both Franchitti and Jacques Villeneuve, and a scary crash involving Tim Sauter, the race would be decided by a bump. Exiting the second turn with two to go, Sprague tried to pull a bump and run on Cook. It was successful, but it allowed former points leader Mike Skinner to slip past both drivers and sweep both races at Martinsville.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Kroger 200
Failed to qualify: Jason White (No. 7), Tim Cowen (No. 42), Davin Scites (No. 06), Cory Collum (No. 32), Joe Ruttman (No. 53), John Coffman (No. 58)


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200
The EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 was held October 27 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ron Hornaday Jr. won the pole. As the epic points battle between Hornaday and Mike Skinner continued, the battle would seem to run in favor of Hornaday, who led 51 laps. However, lurking would be the No. 51 truck of Kyle Busch, who led the race high of 65 laps. However, before sailing to his second consecutive Atlanta victory, Kyle would have a major problem.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200
For most of the latter half of the race, Busch put on a stellar performance, not only running up front but holding up his window net up with his left hand. In the end, it would be of no use, as NASCAR officials eventually black flagged Busch. Right before he pitted, Busch got a break in the form of a caution. This allowed him to rectify the window net problem and stay in contention. Busch would later pull off the pass of "King of Restarts" Hornaday with 7 laps to go, ironically on a restart. Busch would hold on to become the first Nextel Cup Series driver to win a Truck Series race in 2007.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Silverado 350K
The Silverado 350K was held November 2 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mike Skinner won the pole. Although the early part of the race would be dominated by Ted Musgrave, the overall race would primarily be dominated by championship contenders Skinner and Ron Hornaday Jr., with Skinner leading the most laps at 40. This race also saw the championship hopes of Travis Kvapil and Todd Bodine end. As with most Friday night truck races under the lights, the final few laps created a fast and crazy finish.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Silverado 350K
On a restart with 8 to go, Skinner would challenge the Hornaday for the lead on the outside heading onto the backstretch. However, Chad McCumbee made a bold move on both championship contenders, making it three wide heading into turn 3. As McCumbee took the lead, Hornaday sailed up the racetrack and into Skinner, causing a pileup involving Musgrave, Matt Crafton, and Erik Darnell. After the red flag was lifted, McCumbee spun his tires on the green-white-checkered restart.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Silverado 350K
With two-time Texas winner Jack Sprague right behind him, McCumbee attempted to block Sprague, who subsequently hooked his quarter panel, sending them both into the wall. McCumbee would take 13th place while Sprague got 6th. Avoiding the carnage, Musgrave would take the checkered flag for the first time in 66 races. After the first wreck, polesitter Skinner would amazingly rally to finish third and extend his points lead.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Casino Arizona 150
The Casino Arizona 150 was held November 9 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mike Skinner won his record-breaking eleventh pole. The Skinner vs. Hornaday title fight would continue here, as controversy was throughout the race. First, Hornaday's teammate/owner, Kevin Harvick, drove through Skinner's pit stall to get to his pit. Although this is legal, it caused Skinner's entire crew to lose their timing, dropping him out of the top 10. The biggest crash of the night came with only 13 laps left. Jacques Villeneuve made contact with Stacy Compton, turning him into the frontstretch wall.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Casino Arizona 150
Grand-Am driver Andy Lally was struck by Compton's truck, forcing him hard into the inside barrier, which broke apart. After the subsequent red flag to fix the wall, Kyle Busch would come into the picture, holding off Hornaday and Mike Bliss for the win. More controversy would occur outside of the top 5, as Johnny Benson, Skinner's teammate, passed him late in the race despite the looming championship.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Casino Arizona 150
Failed to qualify: Tim Schendel (No. 31), Jason White (No. 7)


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Ford 200
The Ford 200 was held November 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The championship battle between Mike Skinner and Ron Hornaday Jr. concluded here. This also kicked off the first of the three days known as "Ford Championship Weekend". The three-way fight for Rookie of the Year concluded here, the contestants being Busch Series veteran Tim Sauter, and short track racers Willie Allen and Joey Clanton. Jon Wood won the pole, setting a new track record with a time of 31.180 at a speed of 173.188 mph. Open wheel export Jacques Villeneuve continued to show his qualifying expertise, starting third. Championship contenders Skinner and Hornaday started fourth and eighth, respectively.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Ford 200
Skinner would prove to have a difficult race, first having to pit for a flat right side tire and then having a left rear tire come completely off the truck. Due to these problems Skinner would finish 35th, while Hornaday would finish 7th and take the championship. Johnny Benson would pass Kyle Busch at the white flag to take his fourth win of '07. Hornaday's championship would tie future teammate Jack Sprague for most NCTS championships with 3.


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Races, Ford 200
Failed to qualify: Scott Lynch (No. 63), Kevin Lepage (No. 86), Tim Schendel (No. 31), Jason White (No. 7), Bryan Silas (No. 71)


2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Rookies
As noted above, the two main contenders for ROTY, Aaron Fike and Tyler Walker, were both suspended by NASCAR for violating its drug abuse policy. The two main contenders for the title would then be ex-Busch Series driver Tim Sauter and sprint car driver Willie Allen. The fight would come down to the final race, where Allen would prevail by nine points over Sauter. Although Joey Clanton was in contention for the rookie title, he was running only a partial season in the No. 09 . Other contenders, such as Jason White, Ryan Mathews, and Blake Bjorklund also ran partial seasons.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series
The 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was the 59th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 36th modern-era Cup series. Beginning on February 10 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout, the season ended on November 18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the Ford 400. The Chase for the Nextel Cup started with the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway and was contested over the final ten races.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series
The season was the final year that the NASCAR Cup Series was known as the Nextel Cup Series. As a result of the 2005 merger of Nextel Communications with Sprint Corporation, and the subsequent decision by the newly named Sprint Corporation, the name of the series was changed to the Sprint Cup Series for 2008. The 2007 season was the first year in NASCAR history in which no North Carolina drivers found victory lane.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series
Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports won his second consecutive championship, with teammate Jeff Gordon finishing second. Chevrolet captured the NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship with 26 wins, and 290 points over second-place Ford who had 7 wins and 208 points. Dodge finished third with 3 wins and 178 points and Toyota, in their first NEXTEL Cup season, finished out with no wins and 116 points.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Changes in the points system and The Chase
It was officially announced on January 22 at the annual NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, North Carolina that two changes were made for the 2007 Chase for the Nextel Cup.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Changes in the points system and The Chase
The first is that wins became more important. The driver who finishes first now received 185 points instead of 180. Including the five bonus points for leading a lap and the possible five bonus points for leading the most laps, a driver could now get a maximum of 195 points for winning a race.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Changes in the points system and The Chase
The other changes involved the actual Chase. The Top 12 drivers after the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 automatically qualified for the 2007 Chase. Additionally, each driver had their points reset to 5,000, plus ten for each win during the first 26 races. However, when the season ended, only the Top 10 drivers would be honored at the annual banquet in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Car of Tomorrow
NASCAR introduced a new car style known as the "Car of Tomorrow" for use in sixteen races in 2007. This car was the result of a design program that started after the death of Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500. It was intended to offer improvements in safety, performance, competition, and cost efficiency. Plans for a partial schedule in 2008 were expanded to full usage after race results and owner feedback led to acceptance of the new car. Some drivers, however, offered criticism over the decision, thinking that the new design led to boring, uncompetitive races.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, AT&T, Inc. vs. NASCAR
AT&T and BellSouth's Cingular brand, sponsor of Richard Childress Racing's No. 31 car, was legally renamed AT&T upon BellSouth acquisition by AT&T, and has been phased out. This is not allowed under the grandfather clause in the original sponsorship agreement between the former Nextel Communications (now Sprint Nextel) with NASCAR and on March 16, it was announced that AT&T had filed suit in Atlanta Federal Court seeking to overturn said grandfather clause because of this and allow AT&T decals on the car. A judge ruled that RCR was allowed to put AT&T decals on the car on May 18, and the decals made their debut the following night in the Nextel All-Star Challenge. NASCAR originally had a say when the judge ruled in RCR's favor, but that was later rescinded.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, AT&T, Inc. vs. NASCAR
The legal wrangling continued as on June 17, NASCAR countersued AT&T for $100 million (US). NASCAR won the appeal on August 13, and eleven days later at the Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR ordered AT&T logos removed from the No. 31 car, and AT&T filed for an injunction to get the decals back on. Sprint Nextel, AT&T, and NASCAR settled their differences on September 7, and the AT&T logos were placed back on Burton's ride in time for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. These features would remain on the car's body for the rest of the season and into 2008, but RCR afterwards found a new sponsor to replace AT&T. When Caterpillar signed on for the 2009 season, the team agreed to have them as the No. 31's main sponsor.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Robby Gordon and Motorola
Motorola is an associate sponsor on Robby Gordon's No. 7 car. When his self-owned team, however, tried to put a Motorola decal on the car for the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 18, NASCAR ruled that this was in breach of the exclusivity clause with Sprint Nextel (even though Nextel uses Motorola phones) because NASCAR noticed this deal was part of Cellco Partnership (a joint partnership of Verizon and Vodafone better known as the trade name Verizon Wireless), which (legally) sponsored his Busch Series car. NASCAR and Sprint later relented as it was decided to allow Motorola's Audio Products Division to be the main sponsor.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Shell logo controversy
Another controversy surrounded Shell and Sunoco. Sunoco does exclusively supply gasoline to NASCAR, yet RCR signed Shell and their Pennzoil brand to the No. 29 car driven by Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick. During the 500, the car had large Shell decals and large Shell logos on uniforms worn by Harvick and his team. Shell logos were ordered to be smaller for the following week's race at Auto Club. This was likely done at Sunoco's request since a rival gasoline company sponsored a car winning NASCAR's premier event, having taken away publicity from an official sponsor.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Mark Martin's schedule
The other concerned the part-time schedule being undertaken by Mark Martin. Through the spring Atlanta race, Martin held the points lead. Because he had planned a part-time schedule in the No. 01 Ginn Racing U.S. Army ride, Martin reiterated that he would not run in all 36 races on the circuit despite finishing second in the Daytona 500. He relinquished the lead by passing on the spring races at Bristol and Martinsville. Rookie drivers Regan Smith and Aric Almirola drove the No. 01 car in those races, as owner points had that car an exempt team for Bristol (from 2006) and Martinsville. However, Martin extended his schedule to include a few more points races, but did not race the full season.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Dale Earnhardt Jr. signs 5-year contract with Hendrick Motorsports
On May 10, it was announced that Dale Earnhardt Jr. would be leaving the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet following the conclusion of the season as he could not get a contract extension with Dale Earnhardt, Inc., the driving team his father founded and run by his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt. Speculation according to WFXT in Boston had him going to Richard Childress Racing where the "unretirement" of the No. 3 car that his father drove to seven then-Winston Cup championships and the 1998 Daytona 500 would have happened.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Dale Earnhardt Jr. signs 5-year contract with Hendrick Motorsports
Other rumors had him going to Joe Gibbs Racing, or had him starting a Nextel Cup team with the organization he owns that fields Busch Series cars, JR Motorsports. However, at a press conference on June 13, Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced a five-year deal to join Hendrick Motorsports. He replaced Kyle Busch, who at the time drove the No. 5 Chevrolet; he subsequently joined Joe Gibbs Racing to replace J. J. Yeley in the No. 18 Toyota. Busch was replaced in the No. 5 by Casey Mears. On September 19, it was announced that Jr. had signed on to drive Hendrick's new No. 88 Mountain Dew AMP/National Guard Chevrolet. Junior's crew chief at DEI, Tony Eury Jr. will make the move with him, leaving his position after the fall race at Talladega.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Merger Mania
Before the season-opening Daytona 500, NASCAR team owner Jack Roush announced the selloff of 50% of his team, Roush Racing to the Fenway Sports Group, who owns the Boston Red Sox Major League Baseball team. The newly formed alliance between two differing sports markets involved the team name to change to Roush Fenway Racing. However, this was only the beginning of what was referred to as "Merger mania".


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Merger Mania
The week before the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard became the week NASCAR was all shaken up in the ownership boxes. On July 24, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. merged with Ginn Racing, inheriting the No. 01 US Army ride of Mark Martin and Aric Almirola, putting the points earned by the No. 14 team points earned to Paul Menard's No. 15 team and the closure of the No. 13 team while releasing Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Merger Mania
The next day, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, a regular in the Champ Car World Series, returned after a prolonged absence by buying Robert Yates Racing NASCAR team, and renamed the combined operation Yates/Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. With the announced retirement of Robert Yates, however, the merger was called off and the team was named Yates Racing with Robert's son Doug Yates at the helm.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Merger Mania
Another merger was announced on August 6 when former crew chief Ray Evernham announced the merger of his team, Evernham Motorsports, with George N. Gillett Jr., owner of the National Hockey League team the Montreal Canadiens and co-owner of the English Premier League soccer team Liverpool. The merger was similar to the Roush Fenway merger as the new team was called Gillett Evernham Motorsports.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Merger Mania
During the weekend of the Sharp AQUOS 500, Hall of Fame Racing owners Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach, former football players for the Dallas Cowboys, announced their merger with Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks CEO Jeff Moorad and COO Tom Garfinkel. Michael Waltrip Racing Holdings LLC, a company created as a 50–50 partnership between Robert Kauffman and Michael Waltrip, was announced the weekend of the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, originally formed MWR in 1996. Cal Wells, himself a former owner in NASCAR was named the team's chief executive officer.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Joe Gibbs Racing to Toyota
During the season rumors began to surface that Joe Gibbs Racing, owned by then-Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, would be switching to the new manufacturer Toyota for the 2008 season. This switch would be significant for several reasons, one of them being that JGR had been allied with General Motors since its inception in 1992, first with Chevrolet then beginning in 1997 with Pontiac, then switched back to Chevrolet in 2003, a year before Pontiac left NASCAR. The switch to Toyota would benefit the manufacturer itself, as they would be allied with a championship-caliber team. As JGR loans equipment to Hall of Fame Racing, the team confirmed that they would also switch to Toyota if JGR did so. On September 5, the rumors were confirmed.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Top stories and controversies, Dale Jarrett announces retirement
During the race weekend for the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Michael Waltrip Racing held a press conference. During the announcement, besides the announcement of a new part-owner on Robert Kaufmann and Cal Wells being named CEO, it was revealed to the racing world that 1999 Cup champion and three-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Jarrett would retire from full-time driving following the end of the 2007 season. In 2008, Jarrett drove in the first five points races, then handed the No. 44 Toyota to David Reutimann for the Goody's Cool Orange 500. As Jarrett was the 1999 champion, entering the first five races, regardless of his previous standings, guaranteed his No. 44 in the field, as well as driving in the Budweiser Shootout and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Teams and drivers
Each Nextel Cup race had a field of 43 cars.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Teams and drivers
For the first five races of 2007, the top 35 teams in owners points (not drivers' points) in 2006 earned an exemption into each race. If a driver went to a new team, he did not have a guaranteed starting spot, but his old team did, except if that new team was an exempt team. If a past champion is not driving for an exempt team (outside the top 35 in owner points), he may be eligible to use a past champions' provisional to enter the race. The provisional guarantees a spot to the most recent champion not exempt, but those who are former champions will be limited to six for the entire 2007 season.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Teams and drivers
Teams not exempt must "race" their way in during qualifying – if 47 cars are attempting to make the race, and no one is using a provisional, then there are 12 cars racing for eight spots, and the eight fastest cars will make the race. (The Daytona 500, which uses a different qualifying procedure, is the only exception to this rule, though the top 35 are still locked in.)


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Teams and drivers
Starting with the sixth race in 2007, the top 35 teams were awarded exemptions for the next race.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Teams and drivers, Complete schedule
List of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series teams in 2007 (45 full-time).


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Schedule, Driver standings
Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Schedule, Driver standings
For full top 12 drivers standings, please see 2007 Chase for the Nextel Cup.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Budweiser Shootout
This non-points race, which involves the previous season's pole winners and past Shootout winners, was held on Saturday, February 10, at Daytona International Speedway officially kicking off Speedweeks. Two-time series champion Tony Stewart took the checkered flag, but as he did so, Dale Earnhardt Jr. made contact with the back bumper of Elliott Sadler, causing a five-car wreck less than 1000 feet from the start/finish line.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Budweiser Shootout
One of the biggest headlines for the Shootout was that it would be the first Nextel Cup race to feature Toyota, and in the draw for starting spots, Dale Jarrett, a Toyota driver, drew the pole position. However, he slid to the back within four laps of the start, and stayed there for most of the race. Brian Vickers, the other Toyota driver in the event, started fourth, and though he went back-and-forth through the field, finished eighth.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Daytona 500, Qualifying and Gatorade Duel
Qualifying for the front row of the 2007 Daytona 500 took place on February 11. Robert Yates Racing swept the front row with the No. 38 Ford Fusion of David Gilliland winning the pole and the No. 88 of teammate Ricky Rudd finishing second.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Daytona 500, Qualifying and Gatorade Duel
Rule-breaking tactics, however, swirled around the qualifying. Five teams were slapped with suspensions, fines and points deductions for illegal modifications. The hardest hit was Michael Waltrip, whose No. 55 team was the most harshly punished, having their race director and crew chief suspended indefinitely, fined $100,000 (US) and the docking of 100 owners and drivers points for a gelatin-like substance found in the intake manifold during inspections before the qualifying, and in a replacement manifold after qualifying.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Daytona 500, Qualifying and Gatorade Duel
The substance was revealed by NASCAR, during the announcement of the penalties, to be an unspecified oxygenate compound that was blended with the fuel, possibly in an attempt to defeat the effect of the restrictor plate. Waltrip fired said crew chief for the unauthorized change that neither he or anyone else authorized. The No. 17 Matt Kenseth team of Roush Racing and the No. 9 Kasey Kahne team from Evernham Motorsports had their crew chiefs suspended for the first four races, fined $50,000 and had 50 driver and owner points taken away for illegal modifications discovered in post-qualifying inspections. All three teams also had their qualifying times for the pole positions disqualified, and Waltrip's original car was impounded by NASCAR, forcing him to go to a back-up auto for the first qualifying race.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Daytona 500, Qualifying and Gatorade Duel
Additionally, two other Evernham teams – the No. 10 of Scott Riggs and the No. 19 of Elliott Sadler – had their crew chiefs suspended for the first two races of the season, slapped with $25,000 fines and deductions of 25 owner and driver points. Unlike the other three teams, their times were allowed to stand and kept their starting positions for the qualifying doubleheader as those violations were found in pre-qualifying inspections.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Daytona 500, Qualifying and Gatorade Duel
Another story during Speedweeks was that 1966 Rookie of the Year James Hylton would attempt to make his first cup race since 1993 in a car prepared by Richard Childress Racing.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Daytona 500, Qualifying and Gatorade Duel
Gilliland sat on the pole for the first of the Gatorade Duel races on February 15, which establishes the starting order for the Super Bowl of NASCAR Racing, while Rudd was on the point for the second race, which both aired on Speed as part of the new NASCAR TV package.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Daytona 500, The race
The race was hotly contested by many, with many stories abound. From Toyota attempting to emotionally rebound after Michael Waltrip's loss of not only his crew chief and VP of Competition, but also losing 100 driver and owner points. Other stories were Jeff Gordon's disqualification after winning his Gatorade Duel, and Tony Stewart's Speedweeks domination, attempting to win the Bud Shootout, the Duel, and the Daytona 500. The first few laps were incident free except for a spin by road racing veteran Boris Said. The race was dominated by Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Daytona 500, The race
Both combined for a total of 130 of 200 laps. However, with just under a quarter of the laps to go, Tony got loose in Turn 4 while Busch was unable to avoid Stewart and turned him into the wall in a crash that looked like the one that killed Dale Earnhardt in 2001, exactly six years to that date. From that point on, it was a game of survival of the fastest as defending race winner Jimmie Johnson, outside polesitter Ricky Rudd, and fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. were taken out in incidents throughout the day.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Daytona 500, The race
A red flag was brought out in a crash involving Jamie McMurray, Rudd, and Junior. At the time of the flag, Mark Martin, who had not won the Great American Race in 22 tries, was in the lead with his ex-teammates behind him. On the restart, everyone attempted to pass Mark on the low line, but he successfully blocked. However, charging up the outside was Kevin Harvick who came from 8th with half a lap to go to take the lead heading into the fourth turn.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Daytona 500, The race
However, the Big One would finally occur on the last lap as Kyle Busch hit the apron and spun, causing a chain reaction crash. Despite the incidents, NASCAR officials did not freeze the field and let Harvick and Martin duke it out in the last hundred yards. In one of the closest 500s since the inaugural in 1959, Kevin Harvick passed Mark Martin to the stripe by 0.020 seconds, becoming the 31st different winner of the Great American Race.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Auto Club 500
The Auto Club 500, NASCAR's second points race of the season, and what many people consider "the first real race of the season" (without the restrictor plates run at Daytona) was held at California Speedway on February 25. This race was the first run in Nextel Cup series history with unleaded gasoline, as all three major series began running Sunoco 260 GT Plus, a 104-octane (R+M/2) unleaded racing fuel, starting with this race. Jeff Gordon won his first pole of the season. Matt Kenseth swept the Busch and Cup Series races at Fontana, and Toyota gained its first top-10 in the Nextel Cup Series.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400
The UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, NASCAR's third race of the season, was held at the newly refurbished Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 11. Kasey Kahne won the pole. This would be the final race with the UAW-DaimlerChrysler name; starting in 2008 after Daimler Benz sold off Chrysler, the race would be renamed the UAW-Dodge 400. This race marked the first time since the 1965 Firecracker 400 that the top 10 starters finished outside the top 10.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Kobalt Tools 500
The fourth race of the season, the Kobalt Tools 500, was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 18. Ryan Newman won the pole, his seventh at Atlanta, but started 43rd after blowing an engine in Saturday practice.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Food City 500
The fifth race of the season, the Food City 500, was held at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 25. the last before the fabled high banks were repaved with new concrete for the August race under the lights with progressive banking.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Food City 500
Jeff Gordon won the first CoT Pole Position in NASCAR history, but this race was the first race without Joe Nemechek participating in five years as he failed to qualify on speed as his No. 13 Ginn Racing team missed the show. However, Jeremy Mayfield (Bill Davis Racing No. 36) and A. J. Allmendinger (Team Red Bull No. 84) both started their first race of the season.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Goody's Cool Orange 500
The Goody's Cool Orange 500, the sixth race of the season was held at Martinsville Speedway on April 1, as this race was the second race to feature the Car of Tomorrow and the first of the season to use the 2007 owners' points to lock in the top 35 teams for qualification. Denny Hamlin won the pole for this race, and Jimmie Johnson was the race winner.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Samsung 500
The Samsung 500, the seventh race of the season was held at Texas Motor Speedway on April 15. Qualifying was cancelled due to a wild tornado outbreak and the field was set by current owners' points, as a result Jeff Gordon started from the pole. He finished a respectable fourth place, but the race was won on turn 2 of the final lap by Jeff Burton, who overtook Matt Kenseth for the lead in a classy finish.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Subway Fresh Fit 500
The eighth race of the season, the Subway Fresh Fit 500, was held at Phoenix International Raceway on April 21. This was the third race to feature the Car of Tomorrow, as well as the season's first night race. Jeff Gordon captured his third pole of the season, tying him for fourth on the all-time poles list with Darrell Waltrip. Near the end of the race, he pulled away from Tony Stewart, winning the race and tying Dale Earnhardt's 76 wins.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Subway Fresh Fit 500
In the eyes of his son, Jeff Gordon pulled a class act and drove a "Polish Victory Lap" with the flag of his father's famous No. 3, but fans of "The Intimidator" threw cans and bottles of beer on the track (mainly Earnhardt Jr.'s sponsor Budweiser), and were criticized by the driver of the No. 8 car in the post-race news conference.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Subway Fresh Fit 500
Tony Stewart, who was leading when Jeff Gordon passed him following a caution was so irate about the outcome (even going as far to criticize that NASCAR "fixed" races much like professional wrestling on his satellite radio show later that week) blew off the mandatory appearance at the post-race media session, and was fined $10,000 (US) for doing so.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Aaron's 499
The Aaron's 499, the ninth race of the season, was held at Talladega Superspeedway on April 29.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Crown Royal presents the Jim Stewart 400
The tenth race of the season, the Crown Royal presents the Jim Stewart 400, was scheduled to be held at Richmond International Raceway on May 5. This was the fourth race to feature the Car of Tomorrow. The race was named after Jim Stewart of Houma, Louisiana who won an essay contest during the festivities leading up to the Daytona 500 sponsored by Crown Royal. The contest was so popular, it was repeated for the next four races at the track. Jeff Gordon captured his third straight pole by .01-second over second-place qualifier Carl Edwards. Dale Jarrett failed to qualify and missed his first Nextel Cup Race since the 1994 fall race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Dodge Avenger 500
The Dodge Avenger 500, NASCAR's eleventh race of the season, was held at Darlington Raceway on May 13. This was the fifth race to feature the Car of Tomorrow. Clint Bowyer won his first career pole when he earned the pole position in qualifying.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Dodge Avenger 500
The race marked the 50th anniversary of the first Rebel 300, run on Confederate Memorial Day weekend. Ironically, like the inaugural Rebel exactly 50 years to the date of the rescheduled date, the 51st running of the "Rebel" was postponed because of rain itself. Unlike 1957, when Darlington Raceway president Bob Colvin was fined for racing on Sunday, a violation of South Carolina Blue laws at that time, current regulations permit Sunday racing provided (1) the race was scheduled for greater than 250 miles or (2) if the race start was later than 1:30 pm. The 501.367-mile distance made the race legal on Sunday.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Dodge Avenger 500
(The September 1983 Busch Series race at Darlington, held on a Sunday as the Southern 500 was held on Monday, was 250 miles because of the law. All other races at the track have been 200 miles on Friday or Saturday.)


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Dodge Avenger 500
Despite radiator problems, Jeff Gordon won his second Rebel, his first since 1996, when it was a 400-mile race.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Dodge Avenger 500
This was also the first daytime race at Darlington since the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 in March 2004.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge
The 23rd annual Nextel Open and All-Star Challenge, the second and final non-points event of the season, was held at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 19. in the first rule changes since the "Survivor" theme was eliminated from the event (then known as The Winston) after the 2003 season.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge
Matt Kenseth earned the pole for the main event, while Martin Truex Jr. and Johnny Sauter overtook a fading pole sitter Carl Edwards to win the Nextel Open, and Kenny Wallace (a/k/a "Herman the German") voted in by the fans, but it was Kevin Harvick in the end winning the final quarter over defending champion Jimmie Johnson and the $1 million first prize.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR's twelfth Nextel Cup race of the season, was held at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 27. This is the longest race run by the Cup Series (600 miles) and marks the official one-third mark of the season. Penske Racing South teammates Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch led a group of three Dodges to the green flag. One of the main factors of the 600 is not only the physical condition of the drivers, but the legend that Lowe's has of being an ever changing racetrack.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Coca-Cola 600
The "first phase" of the 600 was wild and crazy, with two cautions involving 21 cars in all. Fox commentator Darrell Waltrip even said that the race had a higher attrition rate than Bristol. The first wreck saw five-time Lowe's winner Jimmie Johnson lose his tire tread and start a multi-car pileup behind him. The second crash was more spectacular. The car of Tony Raines got loose and turned the car of Jeff Gordon into the grass.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Coca-Cola 600
As Gordon came back across the track, the oncoming car of A. J. Allmendinger hit the right side door, jacking Gordon's car off the ground. Penske's dominance of the day would end in the night with a crash by Kurt Busch and a blown engine from Newman. Toyota, who had been struggling through the first third of the season, had only led a total of 15 laps.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Coca-Cola 600
However, not only did both of Team Red Bull's cars make the race, but Brian Vickers carried the day for the manufacturer, leading 72 laps before power steering problems hit, but rallied for the marquee's first top five in Nextel Cup competition. Somehow, in the end, the longest race of the season would come down to who could go the longest on 18+3⁄4 gallons of fuel.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Coca-Cola 600
Casey Mears, who had not won in 154 previous attempts, snapped his losing streak and joined teammate Jeff Gordon as well as Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte and David Pearson on the list of drivers who earned their first Cup win in the Coke 600. Mears went straight to Victory Lane after running out of fuel after crossing the finish line. The race also saw Kyle Petty earn his first top 5 since the MBNA 400 at Dover in 1997.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Autism Speaks 400 presented by Visa
The Autism Speaks 400 presented by Visa, the thirteenth race of the season, was held at Dover International Speedway on June 4. Ryan Newman won his second consecutive pole. This was the sixth race to feature the Car of Tomorrow, as well as the last race broadcast by Fox in 2007. The race also served as the halfway mark for the battle for entry into the 2007 Chase for the Nextel Cup. This race also marked the first time since Daytona that Michael Waltrip raced on Sunday, or because of the rainout, a Monday. In a twist of irony, Waltrip's teammate, David Reutimann, who had out-qualified or bumped his boss from the field many times before, failed to qualify for his second consecutive race. Martin Truex Jr. won his first NASCAR Nextel Cup race, leading 216 of the 400 laps.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Pocono 500
The Pocono 500, the fourteenth race of the season, was held at Pocono Raceway on June 10. Ryan Newman earned his third consecutive Budweiser Pole Award. In a delayed and postponed at lap 106 race, Jeff Gordon won his third Pocono 500.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Citizens Bank 400
The Citizens Bank 400, the fifteenth race of the season, was held at Michigan International Speedway on June 17. J. J. Yeley won his first career pole, and Carl Edwards won his first race in 52 races. The race also saw Michael Waltrip, who has had a bad year since the Daytona qualifying fiasco, finish tenth in his No. 55 Toyota.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Toyota/Save Mart 350
The Toyota/Save Mart 350, NASCAR's sixteenth race of the season was held at Infineon Raceway on June 24. This was the seventh race to feature the Car of Tomorrow, and the first road course race of 2007. For the first time in two years, Jamie McMurray won the pole position.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Toyota/Save Mart 350
Much of the race was dominated by road course expert Robby Gordon, whose self-owned No. 7 Ford dominated the field, leading 48 laps. Robby hoped to win his first race since 2003 (also on a road course). However, through all the twists and turns, fuel mileage came into play after Joe Nemechek spun. Gordon's hopes were dashed when he was forced to make a pit stop for fuel. After his stop, the lead was given to McMurray, who had not won since 2002. However, McMurray would be chased by former-F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Toyota/Save Mart 350
Montoya passed McMurray (who was later forced to pit for a splash of fuel) with a few laps remaining and held off Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick to become the first Colombian born driver (and the third not to have been born in the USA) to win in a NASCAR Cup Series event. The win was even bigger for Montoya's car owner, Chip Ganassi who had struggled in previous years but would finally taste victory for the first time since 2002.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Lenox Industrial Tools 300
The Lenox Industrial Tools 300, the seventeenth race of the season and the eighth to feature the Car of Tomorrow, was held at New Hampshire International Speedway on July 1. Dave Blaney won the pole, his second career pole and the first for Toyota in Nextel Cup.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Pepsi 400
The Pepsi 400, NASCAR's eighteenth Nextel Cup race of the season, was held at Daytona International Speedway on July 7. The race officially marked the halfway point of the season. Coverage on TNT featured limited interruptions in a "wide open" production. In addition, this race was the last time the race was called the Pepsi 400, ending a 21-year sponsorship. Coca-Cola will gradually take over pouring rights at all ISC-owned tracks starting with the Daytona Speedweeks events in February 2008, and as a result, the race will be renamed the Coke Zero 400.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Pepsi 400
The biggest news to come out of this race was qualifying. Boris Said in the No. 60 Ford was the fastest, but a rainstorm stopped the process, and under NASCAR rules, all cars must make a qualifying attempt before it is made official. Six other cars not in the top 35 in owners' points were following Said, but Jeff Gordon would be on the pole as time trials were rained out, and the field was set by the NASCAR rulebook based on owner points. Said would end up not even making the race because of this.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Pepsi 400
The race itself featured many twists and turns. Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., some of the race favorites, were taken out early in a wreck. Eventually, Jamie McMurray, suffering a 166 race winless slump (since October 2002 at Lowe's Motor Speedway), overcame a black flag penalty in the race and broke through to record his second career victory by only .005 seconds over Kyle Busch, becoming tied for the second-closest finish in NASCAR history, the closest coming in 2003 when Ricky Craven edged Kurt Busch at Darlington Raceway by .002 seconds.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, USG Sheetrock 400
The USG Sheetrock 400, NASCAR's nineteenth race of the season was held at Chicagoland Speedway on July 15. Casey Mears won the pole. Of note, John Andretti, subbing for Kyle Petty who is currently in the TNT booth, qualified a surprise 9th, and Michael Waltrip made his fourth race of the season. Tony Stewart, who was in the midst of a 20-race winless streak and an altercation with teammate Denny Hamlin at Daytona, fended off challenges from Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson to grab his first victory of the season. Additionally, on September 25, Chicagoland Speedway officials announced that starting in 2008, the event would become a Saturday night race.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, the twentieth Nextel Cup race of the season was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 29. It was the first Nextel Cup race to be broadcast by ESPN since the 2000 NASCAR season when they carried the NAPA 500 from Atlanta. Additionally, this was the first time the Indianapolis event is scheduled for cable; the previous thirteen runnings of the race were broadcast on network television, either on ABC or NBC. Petty Enterprises driver and owner Kyle Petty made his 800th career NNCS start at the Brickyard.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
For the second consecutive year, rain washed out the Friday practice sessions, so there was one practice session and qualifying on Saturday, with Reed Sorenson claiming his first career pole. In addition, Toyota scored another top ten, with driver Dave Blaney finishing ninth, the best Toyota result since Brian Vickers finished fifth during the Coca-Cola 600.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
The No. 01 (Mark Martin/Aric Almirola) team was added to the DEI teams.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
The No. 15 (Paul Menard) inherited the owner points from the former No. 14 (Sterling Marlin), which guaranteed a starting spot for Menard.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
The No. 13 (Joe Nemechek) team of Ginn Racing was disbanded.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
The No. 14 originally had Regan Smith driving after Sterling Marlin was released, but Ginn Racing merged into Dale Earnhardt, Inc. so Smith was left without a ride.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
Bobby Ginn was listed as the owner of the No. 01 and No. 15, Teresa Earnhardt was listed as the owner of the No. 1 and No. 8 both for the remainder of 2007.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
The shops of Ginn Racing housed the No. 15 and No. 01, The shops of DEI housed the No. 1 and No. 8


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
Fabrication work was to be done out of the Ginn Racing shops.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Pennsylvania 500
The Pennsylvania 500, the twenty-first NNCS race of the season, was held at Pocono Raceway on August 5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his first pole since 2002. Robby Gordon was taken out of the race by NASCAR officials after an incident in the Busch Series race in Montréal that led to his disqualification, and was replaced in the No. 7 car by P. J. Jones. The race was won by Kurt Busch, dominating by leading all but 25 of the 200 laps.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Centurion Boats at The Glen
The twenty-second race of the season, the Centurion Boats at The Glen, was held at Watkins Glen International on August 12. This was the ninth race to feature the Car of Tomorrow, and was the second and final road course race of the season.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Centurion Boats at The Glen
In the race, Jeff Gordon, who had been given the pole position due to the cancellation of qualifying due to rain, led the most laps, but Tony Stewart, who was in the lead when he spun out heading into turn one on Lap 45 of the 90-lap event, capitalized on the same error by Jeff Gordon with two laps remaining and wins his third race out of the last four. With his win, Stewart scored his 4th Watkins Glen victory, putting him in a tie with Jeff Gordon as the all-time NASCAR winner at the historical racetrack.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Centurion Boats at The Glen
In 2009 however, Stewart would pass Gordon as the all-time winner when he went on to win his 5th Watkins Glen race. As of 2020, that record still stands. Also with his win in that race, Tony Stewart scored his 6th career road course win, putting him in a 4-way tie for 2nd in all-time road course wins with Bobby Allison, Rusty Wallace, & Ricky Rudd. As of 2020 however, Tony Stewart is now in 2nd place with 8 road course wins, as Jeff Gordon currently holds the all-time record with 9 wins.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, Centurion Boats at The Glen
The race though was marred by an incident started by Martin Truex Jr. when he tapped Juan Pablo Montoya which chain reacted into Kevin Harvick and sent both Montoya and Harvick into a spin and a subsequent multi-car pileup which caused a red flag. Both Montoya and Harvick then got out of their cars and had a shoving match ending when Jeff Burton and officials separated the two drivers. Even though it was clear that Montoya was not at fault, Harvick blamed his accident on Montoya and threatened to "kick his ass." For that comment and his part in the feud, Kevin Harvick was put on indefinite probation by NASCAR because he violated the warning NASCAR gave him after intentionally crashing Scott Pruett at Montreal the previous week and later winning.


2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Regular season, 3M Performance 400
The 3M Performance 400, the twenty-third race of the season was scheduled to be held at Michigan International Speedway on August 19. The race sponsor moved from the June race to the August race in 2007. Jeff Gordon earned his sixth pole of the season, edging out Greg Biffle in the last qualifying attempt of the day.