2007 Aaron's 499


The 2007 Aaron's 499 was the ninth race of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Season, and was run on April 29, 2007, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. This race was the second of the four restrictor plate races on the NASCAR schedule.
Jeff Gordon won this race to pass Dale Earnhardt on the all-time NASCAR list at 77 wins. After he crossed the checkered flag, some spectators threw bottles, cans, and even toilet paper at the #24 car he drove for Hendrick Motorsports. As a result of this incident, in spite of warnings before the race by NASCAR and organizers, a total of 14 people were arrested, and Talladega management revoked their ticket-buying privileges. However, a loophole was later discovered through which these banned fans could buy tickets from third-party ticket brokers, such as StubHub. The race's other top finishers included Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, David Gilliland, and Jamie McMurray in that order.
The race ended with an aborted green-white-checkered finish. Several cars were involved, including Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, McMurray, and Gilliland. Harvick and McMurray were later fined $25,000 and placed on probation for their actions during this accident. The finish had been triggered by an engine failure in the #00 car driven by David Reutimann.

Qualifying

In qualifying, both Jeff Gordon and David Gilliland would tie for having the same time. The pole was given to Jeff Gordon, who had more owners points.

Race results

denotes Rookie of the Year candidate.
FinSt#DriverMakeLapsLedStatusPtsWinnings
1124Jeff GordonChevy19271running195$355,511
2848Jimmie JohnsonChevy19212running175$251,736
3262Kurt BuschDodge1927running170$212,483
4238David Gilliland 'Ford1920running160$182,689
52526Jamie McMurrayFord1922running160$134,675
64129Kevin HarvickChevy1920running150$164,536
7368Dale Earnhardt Jr.Chevy1922running151$149,233
82040David StremmeDodge1921running147$106,025
92812Ryan NewmanDodge1920running138$133,450
10371Martin Truex Jr.Chevy1920running134$126,495
11910Scott RiggsDodge1920running130$107,050
12309Kasey KahneDodge1925running132$138,891
133466Jeff GreenChevy1923running129$120,933
141717Matt KensethFord1923running126$137,641
153919Elliott SadlerDodge1921running123$110,770
16414Sterling MarlinChevy19216running120$107,983
17106David Ragan 'Ford1922running117$127,100
182345Kyle PettyDodge1920running109$103,083
193118J.J. YeleyChevy1920running106$116,033
203543Bobby LabonteDodge1920running103$127,111
21311Denny HamlinChevy19248running105$102,550
222796Tony RainesChevy1920running97$96,425
231836Jeremy MayfieldToyota1920running94$83,075
242201Regan SmithChevy1921running96$104,258
252941Reed SorensonDodge1920running88$101,947
26678Kenny WallaceChevy1922running90$83,325
271160Boris SaidFord1911running87$80,775
283220Tony StewartChevy1907crash84$127,761
291216Greg BiffleFord1901crash81$97,025
302170Johnny SauterChevy1900crash73$79,325
312442Juan Pablo Montoya 'Dodge1870running70$115,750
321400David Reutimann 'Toyota1840engine67$78,525
33588Ricky RuddFord1550running64$110,458
344231Jeff BurtonChevy1512running66$118,266
354007Clint BowyerChevy1470running58$86,125
36154Ward BurtonChevy1440engine55$78,725
37135Kyle BuschChevy1300crash52$95,800
383313Joe NemechekChevy1300crash49$77,450
39725Casey MearsChevy1245crash51$85,250
404344Dale JarrettToyota380engine43$77,000
41387Robby GordonFord330engine40$76,800
421699Carl EdwardsFord270engine37$84,630
431915Paul Menard Chevy220engine34$76,737