The 2007 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil, the next to last race of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup season and the 2007 Chase for the Nextel Cup ran on Sunday, November 11, 2007, at Phoenix International Raceway in the Phoenix suburb of Avondale, Arizona.[1] This race was the final race of sixteen to feature NASCAR's template known as the Car of Tomorrow, which was utilized full-time beginning with the 2008 season.[3]
Qualifying
With a lap of 27.114 seconds at a speed of 132.773 mph, Carl Edwards won his first pole of the season and third of his career. Fellow Chase driver Martin Truex Jr. started alongside him in second. Spring race winner Jeff Gordon started third, hometown hero J. J. Yeley took fourth, points leader Jimmie Johnson started sixth, and defending winner Kevin Harvick started 34th. Out of the open-wheel imports, IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr. made his first Cup race on speed, starting 26th, Patrick Carpentier, who is taking over for Scott Riggs, qualified 24th, and Jacques Villeneuve made his second Cup race, starting 27th.[4]
Failed to Qualify: Michael Waltrip (#55), A. J. Allmendinger (#84), Ward Burton (#4), John Andretti (#49), Dale Jarrett (#44), David Reutimann (#00)[5]
NOTE: This was the first time in 2007 where all three Michael Waltrip Racing cars had missed a race.
Results
Top Ten Results: (NOTE: Chase drivers are in bold italics.)
| Pos.[1] | No. | Driver | Car | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | #48 | Jimmie Johnson | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 2. | #16 | Greg Biffle | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing |
| 3. | #17 | Matt Kenseth | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing |
| 4. | #20 | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 5. | #12 | Ryan Newman | Dodge | Penske Racing |
| 6. | #29 | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing |
| 7. | #1 | Martin Truex Jr. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt Incorporated |
| 8. | #5 | Kyle Busch | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 9. | #31 | Jeff Burton | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing |
| 10. | #24 | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
References
- ^ a b c "2007 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "The Race: The Checker Auto Parts 500(k)". Jayski's Silly Season Site. Archived from the original on July 20, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "This week in racing". The Columbus Dispatch. November 8, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Mejía, Diego (November 10, 2007). "Edwards takes Phoenix Cup pole". Autosport. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "Numbers Game: 2007 Checker Auto Parts 500K at Phoenix". Frontstretch. November 12, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2024.