Another NASCAR season has come and gone. Jimmie Johnson wins his second straight Nextel Cup Championship. The sport is about to
have its big season ending banquet at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Besides
Johnson's repeat performance, there were plenty of other stories this season.
From big name drivers changing teams, to a number of first time winners, some
foreign open wheel champions trying their hand in NASCAR, to saying goodbye to
some individuals that touched the sport. Before we put the 2007 season
completely in out rear view mirrors, here's a look back at the stories of NASCAR
in 2007.
Hendrick Domination: Besides Jimmie Johnson's championship, it was a season to
remember for Hendrick Racing. Johnson won 10 races, Jeff Gordon 6, Casey Mears
and Kyle Busch one apiece. That is a total on 18 wins. To put that in some
perspective, the four Hendrick drivers won half of the races in the Nextel Cup
schedule.
Tomorrow Is Here: The much debated, and controversial among some, "Car of
Tomorrow" made it's debut in 2007. Its debut was at the Spring race in Bristol.
Kyle Busch won that race, but didn't have much good to say about it. The C.O.T.
raced at the short track races, both road course events, both races at Dover,
New Hampshire, Phoenix, Darlington, and the Fall Talladega race. The C.O.T. will
be on the full schedule in 2008
Trying Their Hand: Juan Pablo Montoya made headlines late in 2006 when he
announced he was going into NASCAR. Now, other open wheel drivers are coming
into NASCAR. Former Indianapolis 500 champion Jacques Villeneuve entered two
races in the Nextel Cup season. He finished 21st at the UAW-Ford 500 at
Talladega and 41st at the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix. He will race full
time for Bill Davis in 2008. Another Indy 500 champ Dario Franchitti raced in
four Busch Series races. He will be a full time Sprint Cup racer for Chip Ganassi in '08. Patrick Carpentier raced in three Busch Series events. He will
race the #10 car for Ray Evernham in '08. Sam Hornish Jr. made one Nextel Cup
race (Phoenix Fall race) and made nine Busch Series starts. He will be in the
Sprint Cup Series full time in 2008 for Penske Racing and the #77 car.
Big Names Changing Places: 2007 will be remembered for Dale Earnhardt Jr.
shocking the NASCAR world. It was surprising enough when he announced he was
leaving DEI, but many were shocked when he announced he was going to Hendrick
Racing, taking Kyle Busch's spot on the team. He will be driving two #88 cars
sponsored by the National Guard and Mountain Dew Amp energy drink. It didn't
take Kyle Busch long to find a new gig. He joined Joe Gibbs, replacing J.J. Yeley (who will be driving the #96 for Hall of Fame Racing) in the #18. He will
be sponsored by M&M's.
Their First Time: Four drivers in the Nextel Cup Series found themselves in
Victory Lane for the first time. On May 27th, Casey Mears won the Coca-Cola 600
at Charlotte. On June 4th, Martin Truex Jr. took the win at the Autism Speaks
400 at Dover. On June 24th, Juan Pablo Montoya won the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at
Infineon Raceway. On September 16th, Clint Bowyer won the Sylvania 300 at New
Hampshire.
Name Changing: One effect from the merger between Sprint and Nextel was a name
change to the top series in the sport that will take place. The series will be
known as the Sprint Cup Series in 2008. The 2007 season also marked the end of
the Busch Series. Nationwide Insurance will be that series title sponsor
Award Winners:
Nextel Cup Champion: Jimmie Johnson
Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year: Juan Pablo Montoya
Manufacturer's Champion: Chevrolet
Busch Series Champion: Carl Edwards
In Remembrance: NASCAR and the fans said goodbye to some people who touched the
sport in their way:
Bobby Hamilton: Winner of four Winston Cup races and one Busch Series event.
Champion of the 2004 Craftsman Truck Series. Father of Busch Series driver Bobby
Hamilton Jr. Died from cancer on January 7th at age 49.
Benny Parsons: Winner of 21 Winston Cup races, including the 1975 Daytona 500.
Winston Cup Series champion in 1973. Popular NASCAR TV commentator for ABC/ESPN
from 1989-2000, then for NBC/TNT from 2001-2006. Died on January 16th from lung
cancer at age 65.
Bill France Jr.: His father founded NASCAR in 1947, then took over the sport in
1972. He ran the sport until 2000, overseeing NASCAR during it's popularity
boom. Got much of the credit for making NASCAR one of the most popular sports in
the country. Died on June 4th at the age of 74 from cancer. His death came
during the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover, DE.
Dr. Bruce Kennedy: Husband of International Speedway Corporation president and
NASCAR Board member Lesa France-Kennedy. One of five people killed when the
plane he was on crashed into a house in Sanford, FL on July 10th.
By: CrimsonCowboy