Richard Petty vs David Pearson
The final year of the Nextel Cup Series, where Jimmie Johnson began his historic five-title streak.
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. Jimmie Johnson won his second consecutive championship, with Jeff Gordon finishing second. Chevrolet captured the NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship with 26 wins.
Quick Facts
- Petty wins
- 200 career Cup victories
- Petty championships
- 7 series titles
- Pearson championships
- 3 series titles
- Primary teams
- Petty Enterprises and Wood Brothers Racing
Lore & Background
The 2007 season was the final year the series was known as the Nextel Cup Series, changing to the Sprint Cup Series for 2008. It was the first year Toyota competed in the Nextel Cup Series, using the Camry model. The season also saw the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow for sixteen races, and was the first year in NASCAR history with no North Carolina drivers winning a race.
Reader's Guide
The Chase for the Nextel Cup started with the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire and was contested over the final ten races. The Top 12 drivers after the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 qualified for the Chase, with points reset to 5,000 plus ten for each win during the first 26 races. Only the Top 10 drivers were honored at the annual banquet.
Did You Know?
- Jimmie Johnson's 2007 championship was the second of his five consecutive titles.
- Clint Bowyer finished third in the championship.
- Juan Pablo Montoya was the 2007 rookie of the year.
- Chevrolet won the Manufacturer's championship with 26 wins.
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