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2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series |
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The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season began on February 10, 2007 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout and will end with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 18 of that same year. The Chase for the NEXTEL Cup began with the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. This also serves as the final year that the series will be known as the NEXTEL Cup Series, as Sprint Nextel has decided to change the title series to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starting in 2008.
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 have been made for the 2007 Chase for the NEXTEL Cup.
The first is that wins will now be more important. The driver who finishes first now receives 185 points instead of 180. Including the five-point bonus for leading a lap, and the possible five bonus points for leading the most laps, a driver can now get a maximum of 195 points for winning a race.
The other changes involve the actual Chase. The top twelve drivers after the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 automatically qualified for the 2007 Chase. Additionally, each driver had their points reset to 5,000, plus ten points for each win during the first 26 races.
Top stories and controversies
Several major news stories and controversies have appeared throughout the 2007 campaign.
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 which started after the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. 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, feeling the new design led to boring, uncompetitive races.
AT&T Inc. vs. NASCAR
AT&T and BellSouth's
The legal wrangling continued as on June 17, NASCAR countersued AT&T for $100 million (US). NASCAR won the appeal on August 13th, and eleven days later at the Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR ordered AT&T logos removed from the 31 car, and AT&T filed
for an injunction to get the decals back on. SprintNextel, AT&T and NASCAR settled their differences on September 7th, and the AT&T logos were placed back on Burton's ride in time for the
Robby Gordon and Motorola
Motorola is an associate sponsor on Robby Gordon's #7 car, however when his self-owned team tried to put a Motorola decal on the car for the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway 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) sponsorship of Gordon's Busch Series car (which is legal). NASCAR and Sprint later relented when it was decided to allow Motorola's Audio Products Division to be the car sponsor.
Shell logo controversy
Another controversy surrounds Shell and Sunoco. Sunoco is the exclusive gasoline supplier to NASCAR, yet RCR has signed Shell and their Pennzoil brand to the #29 car, driven by Kevin Harvick, winner of the Daytona 500 as that car had large Shell sponsorship decals during that race as well as large Shell logos on team uniforms in the pit crew and on Harvick himself. Pennzoil became the primary sponsor at following week's race in California. This was more than likely done at Sunoco's request, as a rival gasoline sponsored a car winning NASCAR's premier race, taking away publicity from an official sponsor.
Mark Martin schedule
The other concerns the part-time schedule being undertaken by Mark Martin. Through the spring Atlanta race, Martin held the points lead. Because he is taking a part-time schedule in the #01 DEI U.S. Army ride (purchased from the now-defunct Ginn Racing), Martin has reiterated that he will not run in all 36 races on the circuit this season, 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 have been driving the #01 car in those races, as owner points had that car an exempt team for Bristol (from 2006) and Martinsville. However, Martin is extending his schedule to include a few more points races, but will again not race the full season.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. signs 5 year contract with Hendrick Motorsports
On May 10, 2007, it was announced that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. would be leaving the #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 #3 car that his father drove to seven then-Winston Cup championships and the 1998 Daytona 500 championship would have happened. Other rumors had him going to Joe Gibbs Racing driving a team sponsored by VISA, 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, 2007, Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced a five year deal to join Hendrick Motorsports. He is replacing Kyle Busch, who currently drives the #5 Kellogg's/Carquest Chevrolet and will be going over to Joe Gibbs Racing to replace J.J. Yeley in the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota. On September 19, it was announced that Jr. will drive the #88 Mountain Dew AMP/National Guard Chevrolet while Casey Mears will move over to the #5 with Alan Gustafson as crew chief. [1]. Junior's crew chief at DEI, Tony Eury, Jr. will make the move with him, leaving his position after the fall race at Talladega.
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 own the Major League Baseball team the Boston Red Sox. The newly formed alliance between two differing sports markets would involve the team name to change to Roush Fenway Racing. However, this was only the beginning of what has now been called "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 #01 US Army ride of Mark Martin and Aric Almirola, putting the points earned by the #14 team points earned to Paul Menard's #15 team and the closure of the #13 team while releasing Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek. The next day, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, a regular in the Champ Car World Series, returned after an prolonged absence by buying Robert Yates Racing's 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 will be named Yates Racing with Robert's son Doug Yates at the helm. Another merger was announced on August 6 when former crew chief Ray Evernham announced the merger of his team, Evernham Motorsports, with George Gillett, owner of the National Hockey League team the Montreal Canadiens and co-owner of the soccer team Liverpool F.C.. The merger was similar to the Roush Fenway merger as the new team was called Gillett Evernham Motorsports. 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 owner Tom Garfinkel and team president Jeff Moorad.[2] 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. Michael currently owns the racing team that was originally formed in 1995 by two-time Daytona 500 winner.
Joe Gibbs Racing to Toyota
During the season rumors began to surface that Joe Gibbs Racing, owned by Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, would be switching to the new manufacturer Toyota for the 2008 season. This switch would be signifigant for several reasons, one of them being that JGR has been allied with General Motors since its inception in 1992, first with Pontiac, then with Chevrolet when the former pulled out of 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 does so. On September 5th, the rumors were confirmed.
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, 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 '07 season. The plan for Jarrett is to run the first five points races, then hand the #44 UPS Toyota to David Reutimann for the Goody's Cool Orange 500. As Jarrett is the '99 champion, entering the first five races, regardless of his previous standings, will guarantee his #44 in the field. Also, it was announced that MWR had added on New York investor Robert Kauffman, with Cal Wells as CEO.
2007 season
Teams
Each NEXTEL Cup race has a field of 43 cars.
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.
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.)
Starting with the sixth race in 2007, the current top 35 teams are awarded exemptions for the next race.
Full time entries
These 47 teams are expected to attempt all 36 NEXTEL Cup races. Those who need to qualify on time have their current owners points bolded.
Note: Dale Jarrett has used all of his championship provisionals through the spring race at Talladega.
(*) - Has past champions provisionals.
(†) - Will run the road races this season. Terry Labonte also replaced Waltrip at Indianapolis. [1]
(x) -When Leitzinger runs the road courses, he carries over the Davis owner points to his Catipillar #23 Toyota.
(**) - On July 24th, Ginn Racing merged with DEI. The #15 car inherited the points earned by the #14 team of Ginn Racing, with the #13 team closing. All other teams below them as a result, have been advanced by one position.
Part-time entries
These cars are expected to attempt several NEXTEL Cup races, but not all 36. Because it is highly unlikely any of the part-time teams will be in the top 35 in owners' points, they will have to race their way in to all events.
Rookies
- A. J. Allmendinger, #84 Red Bull Toyota (Team Red Bull)
- Paul Menard, #15 Menards Chevy (Dale Earnhardt Inc.)
- Juan Pablo Montoya, #42 Texaco / Havoline Dodge (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- David Ragan, #6 AAA Ford (Roush Fenway Racing)
- David Reutimann, #00 Domino's Pizza / Burger King Toyota (Michael Waltrip Racing)
- Regan Smith, #01 U.S. Army Chevy (DEI) §
- Jon Wood, #21 Little Debbie Ford (Wood Brothers/JTG Racing) §
§ - Smith and Wood will be running partial seasons, though they will be eligible for the rookie of the year award. The two have not announced they will be running for the award, however.
Driver Standings
For full Top 12 Drivers Standings, see 2007 Chase for the NEXTEL Cup.
2007 season races
All races are held in the USA. Race names are subject to change. See List of 2007 NASCAR races for a list and schedule of the 2007 season races.
Budweiser Shootout
This non-points race, which involves the previous season's pole winners and past Shootout winners, was held on Saturday, February 10, 2007, 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.
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.
Top Ten Results:
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Car | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | #20 |  Tony
Stewart |
Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 2 | #38 |  David Gilliland |
Ford | Robert Yates Racing |
| 3 | #2 |  Kurt
Busch |
Dodge | Penske Racing |
| 4 | #48 | Jimmie Johnson |
Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 5 | #29 | Kevin Harvick |
Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing |
| 6 | #01 |  Mark Martin |
Chevrolet | Ginn Racing |
| 7 | #5 | Kyle
Busch |
Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 8 | #83 |  Brian Vickers |
Toyota | Team Red Bull |
| 9 | #31 |  Jeff Burton |
Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing |
| 10 | #10 | Scott Riggs |
Dodge | Evernham Motorsports |
Daytona 500
Qualifying and Gatorade Duel
Qualifying for the front row of the 2007 Daytona 500 took place on February 11, 2007. Robert Yates Racing swept the front row with the #38 Ford Fusion of David Gilliland winning the pole and the #88 of teammate Ricky Rudd finishing second.
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 #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. 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 #17 Matt Kenseth team of Roush Racing and the #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.
Additionally, two other Evernham teams - the #10 of Scott Riggs and the #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.
Gilliland sat on the pole for the first of the Gatorade Duel races on February 15, 2007, 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.
Top ten results:
Race One:
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Car | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | #20 | Tony
Stewart |
Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 2 | #8 |