2007 Dickies 500
# 2007 Dickies 500

The 2007 Dickies 500 was the 34th race in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup season and the third to last race in the 2007 Chase for the Nextel Cup. This race took place on Sunday, November 4, at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas.

## Background

Entry list :

| # | Driver | Team | Make | Sponsor |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 00 | David Reutimann | Michael Waltrip Racing | Toyota | Burger King |
| 1 | Martin Truex Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats |
| 01 | Mark Martin | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | U.S. Army |
| 2 | Kurt Busch | Penske Racing | Dodge | Miller Lite |
| 4 | Ward Burton | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Chevrolet | Lucas Oil, State Water Heaters |
| 5 | Kyle Busch | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | CARQUEST Auto Parts, Kellogg's |
| 6 | David Ragan | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | AAA Insurance |
| 7 | Robby Gordon | Robby Gordon Motorsports | Ford | Menards, MAPEI |
| 07 | Clint Bowyer | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | Jack Daniel's |
| 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | Budweiser |
| 08 | Burney Lamar | E&M Motorsports | Dodge | Rhino's Energy Drink |
| 9 | Kasey Kahne | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | Dodge Dealers, UAW |
| 10 | Scott Riggs | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | Proto, Stanley Tools, Valvoline |
| 11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | FedEx Kinko's |
| 12 | Ryan Newman | Penske Racing | Dodge | Alltel |
| 15 | Paul Menard | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Chevrolet | Menards, Moen |
| 16 | Greg Biffle | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | Jackson Hewitt |
| 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | USG |
| 18 | J.J. Yeley | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | Interstate Batteries |
| 19 | Elliott Sadler | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | Dodge Dealers, UAW |
| 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Chevrolet | The Home Depot |
| 21 | Bill Elliott | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | Delimex |
| 22 | Dave Blaney | Bill Davis Racing | Toyota | Caterpillar |
| 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | DuPont |
| 25 | Casey Mears | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | National Guard, GMAC |
| 26 | Jamie McMurray | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | Crown Royal Special Reserve |
| 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | Shell, Pennzoil |
| 31 | Jeff Burton | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | AT&T Mobility |
| 34 | Kevin Lepage | Front Row Motorsports | Dodge | MyAutoLoan.com |
| 36 | Mike Skinner | Bill Davis Racing | Toyota | 360 OTC |
| 38 | David Gilliland | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | M&M's |
| 40 | David Stremme | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | HomeLife Communities |
| 41 | Reed Sorenson | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | Target |
| 42 | Juan Pablo Montoya | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dodge | Texaco, Havoline |
| 43 | Bobby Labonte | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories |
| 44 | Dale Jarrett | Michael Waltrip Racing | Toyota | UPS |
| 45 | Kyle Petty | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | National Tire & Battery |
| 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | Lowe's, Kobalt Tools |
| 49 | John Andretti | BAM Racing | Dodge | Paralyzed Veterans of America |
| 55 | Michael Waltrip | Michael Waltrip Racing | Toyota | NAPA Auto Parts |
| 66 | Jeremy Mayfield | Haas CNC Racing | Chevrolet | Best Buy |
| 70 | Johnny Sauter | Haas CNC Racing | Chevrolet | FleetPride |
| 78 | Joe Nemechek | Furniture Row Racing | Chevrolet | Furniture Row |
| 83 | Brian Vickers | Red Bull Racing Team | Toyota | Red Bull |
| 84 | A.J. Allmendinger | Red Bull Racing Team | Toyota | Red Bull |
| 88 | Ricky Rudd | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | Snickers |
| 96 | Tony Raines | Hall of Fame Racing | Chevrolet | DLP HDTV |
| 99 | Carl Edwards | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | Office Depot |

## Qualifying

With a fast lap at 27.964 sec. at a speed of 193.105 mph, Chase driver Martin Truex Jr. won his first career pole. On his outside will be points leader Jeff Gordon. Defending race winner Tony Stewart rolls off 15th, defending champion Jimmie Johnson starts 8th, and darkhorse candidate Clint Bowyer starts 29th. Of note, open wheel imports Juan Pablo Montoya and A. J. Allmendinger will roll of 3rd and 5th, a personal best for Allmendinger, and second best for Montoya. Truex also becomes the 17th different driver to win a pole, tying a record originally set in the 1997 season and matched in the 2001 season.

| Pos. | # | Driver | Make | Team | Time | Speed |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 1 | Martin Truex Jr. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 27.964 | 193.105 |
| 2 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 28.063 | 192.424 |
| 3 | 42 | Juan Pablo Montoya | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing | 28.064 | 192.417 |
| 4 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | 28.090 | 192.239 |
| 5 | 84 | A.J. Allmendinger | Toyota | Red Bull Racing Team | 28.090 | 192.239 |
| 6 | 2 | Kurt Busch | Dodge | Penske Racing | 28.101 | 192.164 |
| 7 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | 28.106 | 192.130 |
| 8 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 28.115 | 192.068 |
| 9 | 25 | Casey Mears | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 28.139 | 191.904 |
| 10 | 01 | Mark Martin | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 28.183 | 191.605 |
| 11 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Dodge | Penske Racing | 28.190 | 191.557 |
| 12 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 28.206 | 191.449 |
| 13 | 43 | Bobby Labonte | Dodge | Petty Enterprises | 28.215 | 191.388 |
| 14 | 36 | Mike Skinner | Toyota | Bill Davis Racing | 28.216 | 191.381 |
| 15 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | 28.224 | 191.327 |
| 16 | 15 | Paul Menard | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 28.230 | 191.286 |
| 17 | 5 | Kyle Busch | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 28.232 | 191.272 |
| 18 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing | 28.244 | 191.191 |
| 19 | 19 | Elliott Sadler | Dodge | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | 28.269 | 191.022 |
| 20 | 10 | Scott Riggs | Dodge | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | 28.269 | 191.022 |
| 21 | 99 | Carl Edwards | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing | 28.275 | 190.981 |
| 22 | 83 | Brian Vickers | Toyota | Red Bull Racing Team | 28.281 | 190.941 |
| 23 | 16 | Greg Biffle | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing | 28.289 | 190.887 |
| 24 | 26 | Jamie McMurray | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing | 28.300 | 190.813 |
| 25 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Dodge | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | 28.322 | 190.665 |
| 26 | 44 | Dale Jarrett | Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing | 28.322 | 190.665 |
| 27 | 31 | Jeff Burton | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | 28.336 | 190.570 |
| 28 | 40 | David Stremme | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing | 28.350 | 190.476 |
| 29 | 07 | Clint Bowyer | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | 28.394 | 190.181 |
| 30 | 21 | Bill Elliott | Ford | Wood Brothers Racing | 28.416 | 190.034 |
| 31 | 41 | Reed Sorenson | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing | 28.442 | 189.860 |
| 32 | 22 | Dave Blaney | Toyota | Bill Davis Racing | 28.448 | 189.820 |
| 33 | 6 | David Ragan | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing | 28.450 | 189.807 |
| 34 | 38 | David Gilliland | Ford | Robert Yates Racing | 28.475 | 189.640 |
| 35 | 78 | Joe Nemechek | Chevrolet | Furniture Row Racing | 28.478 | 189.620 |
| 36 | 66 | Jeremy Mayfield | Chevrolet | Haas CNC Racing | 28.484 | 189.580 |
| 37 | 45 | Kyle Petty | Dodge | Petty Enterprises | 28.518 | 189.354 |
| 38 | 18 | J.J. Yeley | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | 28.706 | 188.114 |
| 39 | 88 | Ricky Rudd | Ford | Robert Yates Racing | 28.726 | 187.983 |
| 40 | 96 | Tony Raines | Chevrolet | Hall of Fame Racing | 28.737 | 187.911 |
| 41 | 7 | Robby Gordon | Ford | Robby Gordon Motorsports | 28.831 | 187.298 |
| 42 | 70 | Johnny Sauter | Chevrolet | Haas CNC Racing | 28.931 | 186.651 |
| 43 | 00 | David Reutimann | Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing | 28.523 | 189.321 |
| Failed to qualify |||||||
| 44 | 4 | Ward Burton | Chevrolet | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | 28.559 | 189.082 |
| 45 | 49 | John Andretti | Dodge | BAM Racing | 28.584 | 188.917 |
| 46 | 55 | Michael Waltrip | Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing | 28.657 | 188.436 |
| 47 | 08 | Burney Lamar | Dodge | E&M Motorsports | 28.967 | 186.419 |
| 48 | 34 | Kevin Lepage | Dodge | Front Row Motorsports | 29.295 | 184.332 |

Failed to Qualify: #4-Ward Burton, #49-John Andretti, #55-Michael Waltrip, #08-Burney Lamar, #34-Kevin Lepage.

## Race

The race would mostly be dominated by Kyle Busch, who led for 153 laps. Chase drivers such as Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, and Truex saw their hopes for title contention end. On the final pit stop Robbie Reiser, Kenseth's crew chief, called his pit crew to only change two tires. This got them the track position, but not very many cars followed their strategy. One of those cars was of Jimmie Johnson. With four fresh tires, Jimmie hunted down Kenseth and the two of them staged a brilliant and intense duel, staying side by side for more than a lap. Johnson would eventually prevail with two to go and take his third consecutive win and take the points lead away from teammate Jeff Gordon.

Nine drivers in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup finished in the top 11 of the overall running order.

## Results

| Fin | St | # | Driver | Make | Team | Sponsor | Laps | Led | Status | Pts | Winnings |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 8 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | Lowe's, Kobalt Tools | 334 | 9 | running | 190 | $486,211 |
| 2 | 18 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing | USG | 334 | 44 | running | 175 | $378,041 |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | Martin Truex Jr. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats | 334 | 16 | running | 170 | $262,245 |
| 4 | 17 | 5 | Kyle Busch | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | CARQUEST Auto Parts, Kellogg's | 334 | 153 | running | 170 | $217,400 |
| 5 | 11 | 12 | Ryan Newman | Dodge | Penske Racing | Alltel | 334 | 4 | running | 160 | $214,125 |
| 6 | 27 | 31 | Jeff Burton | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | AT&T Mobility | 334 | 0 | running | 150 | $192,116 |
| 7 | 2 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | DuPont | 334 | 20 | running | 151 | $184,561 |
| 8 | 6 | 2 | Kurt Busch | Dodge | Penske Racing | Miller Lite | 334 | 10 | running | 147 | $165,783 |
| 9 | 24 | 26 | Jamie McMurray | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing | Crown Royal Special Reserve | 334 | 0 | running | 138 | $134,925 |
| 10 | 4 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | Shell, Pennzoil | 334 | 0 | running | 134 | $168,261 |
| 11 | 15 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | Home Depot | 334 | 0 | running | 130 | $159,361 |
| 12 | 19 | 19 | Elliott Sadler | Dodge | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | Dodge Dealers, UAW | 334 | 0 | running | 127 | $131,620 |
| 13 | 20 | 10 | Scott Riggs | Dodge | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | Proto, Stanley Tools, Valvoline | 334 | 0 | running | 124 | $118,325 |
| 14 | 12 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Budweiser | 334 | 12 | running | 126 | $147,058 |
| 15 | 39 | 88 | Ricky Rudd | Ford | Robert Yates Racing | Snickers | 334 | 10 | running | 123 | $141,758 |
| 16 | 13 | 43 | Bobby Labonte | Dodge | Petty Enterprises | Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories | 334 | 0 | running | 115 | $141,561 |
| 17 | 38 | 18 | J.J. Yeley | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | Interstate Batteries | 333 | 0 | running | 112 | $131,133 |
| 18 | 25 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Dodge | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | Dodge Dealers, UAW | 332 | 0 | running | 109 | $146,266 |
| 19 | 29 | 07 | Clint Bowyer | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | Jack Daniel's | 332 | 1 | running | 111 | $110,425 |
| 20 | 40 | 96 | Tony Raines | Chevrolet | Hall of Fame Racing | DLP HDTV | 332 | 0 | running | 103 | $113,275 |
| 21 | 32 | 22 | Dave Blaney | Toyota | Bill Davis Racing | Caterpillar | 332 | 0 | running | 100 | $127,908 |
| 22 | 36 | 66 | Jeremy Mayfield | Chevrolet | Haas CNC Racing | Best Buy | 332 | 0 | running | 97 | $125,583 |
| 23 | 22 | 83 | Brian Vickers | Toyota | Red Bull Racing Team | Red Bull | 332 | 0 | running | 94 | $101,125 |
| 24 | 14 | 36 | Mike Skinner | Toyota | Bill Davis Racing | 360 OTC | 331 | 0 | running | 91 | $98,575 |
| 25 | 3 | 42 | Juan Pablo Montoya | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing | Texaco, Havoline | 331 | 10 | running | 93 | $143,300 |
| 26 | 21 | 99 | Carl Edwards | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing | Office Depot | 331 | 0 | running | 85 | $108,625 |
| 27 | 42 | 70 | Johnny Sauter | Chevrolet | Haas CNC Racing | FleetPride | 330 | 0 | running | 82 | $100,025 |
| 28 | 34 | 38 | David Gilliland | Ford | Robert Yates Racing | M&M's | 330 | 0 | running | 79 | $127,039 |
| 29 | 7 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Chevrolet | Joe Gibbs Racing | FedEx Kinko's | 324 | 45 | running | 81 | $115,625 |
| 30 | 16 | 15 | Paul Menard | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Menards, Moen | 322 | 0 | running | 73 | $99,425 |
| 31 | 9 | 25 | Casey Mears | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | National Guard, GMAC | 302 | 0 | running | 70 | $114,225 |
| 32 | 41 | 7 | Robby Gordon | Ford | Robby Gordon Motorsports | Menards, MAPEI | 300 | 0 | running | 67 | $96,025 |
| 33 | 23 | 16 | Greg Biffle | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing | Jackson Hewitt | 295 | 0 | oil cooler | 64 | $114,775 |
| 34 | 10 | 01 | Mark Martin | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | U.S. Army | 278 | 0 | running | 61 | $103,625 |
| 35 | 35 | 78 | Joe Nemechek | Chevrolet | Furniture Row Racing | Furniture Row | 275 | 0 | brakes | 58 | $95,425 |
| 36 | 30 | 21 | Bill Elliott | Ford | Wood Brothers Racing | Delimex | 248 | 0 | running | 55 | $114,414 |
| 37 | 33 | 6 | David Ragan | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing | AAA Insurance | 222 | 0 | crash | 52 | $130,825 |
| 38 | 26 | 44 | Dale Jarrett | Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing | UPS | 217 | 0 | crash | 49 | $94,800 |
| 39 | 5 | 84 | A.J. Allmendinger | Toyota | Red Bull Racing Team | Red Bull | 151 | 0 | crash | 46 | $94,600 |
| 40 | 31 | 41 | Reed Sorenson | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing | Target | 143 | 0 | crash | 43 | $116,558 |
| 41 | 28 | 40 | David Stremme | Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing | HomeLife Communities | 136 | 0 | crash | 40 | $94,180 |
| 42 | 37 | 45 | Kyle Petty | Dodge | Petty Enterprises | National Tire & Battery | 129 | 0 | crash | 37 | $105,638 |
| 43 | 43 | 00 | David Reutimann | Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing | Burger King | 90 | 0 | engine | 34 | $103,608 |
| Failed to qualify ||||||||||||
| 44 | | 4 | Ward Burton | Chevrolet | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Lucas Oil, State Water Heaters | | | | | |
| 45 | | 49 | John Andretti | Dodge | BAM Racing | Paralyzed Veterans of America | | | | | |
| 46 | | 55 | Michael Waltrip | Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing | NAPA Auto Parts | | | | | |
| 47 | | 08 | Burney Lamar | Dodge | E&M Motorsports | Rhino's Energy Drink | | | | | |
| 48 | | 34 | Kevin Lepage | Dodge | Front Row Motorsports | MyAutoLoan.com | | | | | |

## Points

* As mentioned above, Johnson took over the points lead, 30 points ahead of Gordon. Ironically, if the system that NASCAR used before the Chase started (1975-2003) was still in use, Gordon would have clinched the title after this race.
* For the last guaranteed spot in each race, the 22 team (Bill Davis Racing) expanded its lead over the 21 team (Wood Brothers/JTG Racing) to 127 points. Bill Elliott crashed out of the race, not helping the latter team's chances.

## Other note

Johnson won his third consecutive race; he has the last two such streaks. He also won three straight in the 2004 season (Charlotte, Martinsville, and Atlanta).

