2007 Checker Auto Parts 500
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. This race was the final race of sixteen to feature NASCAR's template known as the Car of Tomorrow, which will be utilized full-time beginning with the 2008 season.
| Race details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 35 of 36 in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season | |||
 Map of the Phoenix International Raceway | |||
| Date | November 11, 2007 | ||
| Official name | Checker Auto Parts 500 | ||
| Location | Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, Arizona | ||
| Course |
Permanent racing facility 1.000 mi (1.609 km) | ||
| Distance | 312 laps, 312 mi (502.115 km) | ||
| Average speed | 102.989 miles per hour (165.745 km/h) | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Roush Fenway Racing | ||
| Time | 27.114 | ||
| Most laps led | |||
| Driver | Matt Kenseth | Roush Fenway Racing | |
| Laps | 93 | ||
| Winner | |||
| No. 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports | |
| Television in the United States | |||
| Network | ABC | ||
| Announcers | Jerry Punch, Rusty Wallace, and Andy Petree | ||
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. will start alongside him, missing P1 by only .003 sec. Spring race winner Jeff Gordon starts third, hometown hero J.J. Yeley starts fourth, points leader Jimmie Johnson starts sixth, and defending winner Kevin Harvick starts 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.
Failed to Qualify: Michael Waltrip (#55), A. J. Allmendinger (#84), Ward Burton (#4), John Andretti (#49), Dale Jarrett (#44), David Reutimann (#00)
NOTE: This is the first time in 2007 where all three Michael Waltrip Racing cars have missed a race.
Results
Top Ten Results: (NOTE: Chase drivers are in bold italics.)
| Pos. | 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 |
| Previous race: 2007 Dickies 500 |
Nextel Cup Series 2007 season |
Next race: 2007 Ford 400 |