Matt Kenseth dominated the race all day long and picked up the easy win. This win vaulted Kenseth up to fourth in points. This is a huge leap forward from his twelfth place position from just a few races ago.
Qualifying
Point leader Jimmie Johnson started on the pole today. Johnson was also fastest in Saturday's Happy Hour practice and had won the last four NEXTEL Cup races in a row. Johnson is on a roll to finish out 2007.
Ryan Newman started on the outside of row number one in his Penske Dodge. Row two saw Kasey Kahne and Matt Kenseth starting third and fourth. Kurt Busch rounded out the top five.
Drop Of The Green
Johnson lead lap one. This moved his magic number from 18th to 19th. Jimmie Johnson could now finish 19th and still clinch the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship.
Ryan Newman quickly took over the lead as Johnson settled into a conservative pace. Matt Kenseth then took his turn at the front on lap four and lead until the first caution flew during green flag pit stops on lap 51.
Storylines
Jimmie Johnson lead the first lap and then played it conservative all day long. After leading a lap Johnson needed to finish 19th or better to clinch the Championship. He spent most of the day safely in the top ten.
The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Championship battle turned out to be a non-event. Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson and his #48 Lowes Hendrick Motorsports team.
Chasing The Checkers
Matt Kenseth had dominated the race during the day. He then continued to dominate the race under the lights. The final round of pit stops cycled through with nineteen laps to go and Matt Kenseth found himself comfortably in the lead over Martin Truex Jr.
A late caution bunched up the field with nine laps to go. However, Matt Kenseth was able to get a solid restart and get away. Kenseth cruised to the win with Kurt Busch in pursuit.
Top Ten
- Matt Kenseth
- Kurt Busch
- Denny Hamlin
- Jeff Gordon
- Carl Edwards
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Jimmie Johnson
- Jeff Burton
- Mark Martin
- David Ragan
The Points
Jimmie Johnson's NEXTEL Cup Championship was never in danger today. He played it safe all day long and finished comfortably in the top ten to clinch the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship. Jimmie Johnson had an incredible season and finished it off with an amazing Chase to clinch back-to-back titles.
The top twelve are now:
- Jimmie Johnson
- Jeff Gordon -77
- Clint Bowyer -346
- Matt Kenseth -425
- Kyle Busch -430
- Tony Stewart -481
- Kurt Busch -492
- Jeff Burton -492
- Carl Edwards -501
- Kevin Harvick -524
- Martin Truex Jr. -559
- Denny Hamlin -580
Next Week
There is no next week. The NEXTEL Cup series returns to the spotlight the week after Thanksgiving as the top ten in points will celebrate Champions Week in New York City. This is capped off with the NEXTEL Cup awards banquet at the Wadorf Astoria Hotel.
