2007 Dodge Avenger 500


The 2007 Dodge Avenger 500, the 58th running of the race, was the eleventh race of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.
The race was postponed by rain, and was run the following afternoon, May 13, the second race in two weeks to be rained out. Coincidentally, the first running of this event in 1957 was postponed by rain and delayed a day later to May 12, exactly 50 years to the originally scheduled date of this race. Originally the third night race on the schedule, this also served as the fifth race to use the Car of Tomorrow template.
Chevrolet continued to dominate the NASCAR Cup Series like it did during the 1990s and through most of the 2000s. Michael Waltrip continued to have a negative number of points in this race due to his major penalty that was not mitigated until late into the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season. Spanish-speaking NASCAR fans started to notice Jeff Gordon's dominance in this NASCAR event, making him a close second favorite to Juan Pablo Montoya.

Last chance for the All-Star Challenge

The race served as the final chance for teams and drivers who have not qualified for the Nextel All-Star Challenge to automatically enter that race by winning on the 1.366 mile egg-shaped oval known as "The Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough To Tame". If not, they would have to race in the NEXTEL Open race, as either one of the top two drivers or chosen in a fan vote.

Abrasive surface

The Darlington asphalt has been known to be one of the most abrasive in NASCAR, as the sandpaper-like surface shreds tires limiting their run on the track. This situation was rectified later in 2007 when the entire track was resurfaced. As a result, pit row became a concrete surface.

Qualifying

Clint Bowyer won the pole position, the first career pole in the Cup series for the driver of the #07 Chevrolet Impala. Greg Biffle, who had won the two previous Darlington races, sat on the outside of Bowyer. Michael Waltrip missed his 10th straight race, while Ken Schrader returned to the field after sitting out the two previous weeks.

Race recap

Jeff Gordon overcame a radiator problem to win the Dodge Avenger 500. The win was his third in the last four races, his sixth win in the Southern 500, and his 78th overall career. Because of the failure, his car emitted steam for the last 50 laps or so of the race. The race was arguably decided most in the pits. Gordon's crew chief, Steve Letarte, kept the #24 Chevy on the track during what would be the final caution of the race, while all other leaders came in for service. Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin was in position for a weekend sweep, but a failure to apply lug nuts correctly on the first attempt led to a long pit stop, after which he never regained the lead. Hamlin still led the most laps on this day and finished second.
The remaining top drivers were in this order: Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bowyer, and Jeff Burton.
After this race, Gordon led Jimmie Johnson by 231 points for the lead. Earnhardt Jr. led Jamie McMurray by 46 points for the 12th and final position in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. However, because of illegal bolts supporting the wing that was discovered in a pre-race inspection, Earnhardt was docked 100 driver points, the team lost 100 owner points and slapped with a $100,000 fine and crew chief Tony Eury, Sr. was suspended until July 4. Because of the penalties, McMurray was elevated to the final Chase position as a result.

Race results

denotes Rookie of the Year candidate.
FinStCar #DriverMakePointsBonusLapsWinnings
11024Jeff GordonChevrolet1905367$323,286
2711Denny HamlinChevrolet18010367$211,550
31248Jimmie JohnsonChevrolet1705367$197,761
42912Ryan NewmanDodge1655367$159,875
5499Carl EdwardsFord1605367$125,475
62620Tony StewartChevrolet150367$145,961
73117Matt KensethFord1515367$143,516
8218Dale Earnhardt Jr.Chevrolet142367$133,033
9107Clint BowyerChevrolet1435367$114,575
103431Jeff BurtonChevrolet134367$127,541
11251Martin Truex Jr.Chevrolet130367$112,320
12182Kurt BuschDodge127367$119,108
132814Sterling MarlinChevrolet124367$104,433
143701Mark MartinChevrolet121367$108,308
15216Greg BiffleFord118367$97,700
16326Jamie McMurrayFord115367$89,850
17929Kevin HarvickChevrolet112367$125,886
182218J. J. YeleyChevrolet109367$108,183
191343Bobby LabonteDodge106367$117,036
2059Kasey KahneDodge103367$124,616
211719Elliott SadlerDodge1055367$96,370
223966Jeff GreenChevrolet97365$100,008
234142Juan Montoya *Dodge94365$113,575
24678Kenny WallaceChevrolet91365$75,775
254245Kyle PettyDodge88364$87,233
264088Ricky RuddFord85364$105,333
27246David Ragan *Ford82363$109,425
283513Joe NemechekChevrolet79363$69,950
291970Johnny SauterChevrolet76361$69,750
303838David GillilandFord73361$100,289
312315Paul Menard *Chevrolet70358$69,325
322722Dave BlaneyToyota725355$89,197
331400David Reutimann *Toyota64351$69,925
343040David StremmeDodge61349$68,850
351125Casey MearsChevrolet58345$76,600
362084A. J. Allmendinger *Toyota55344$68,450
37365Kyle BuschChevrolet52338$86,250
38337Robby GordonFord49317$68,025
393296Tony RainesChevrolet46310$78,400
401641Reed SorensonDodge43310$75,750
41821Ken SchraderFord455254$87,839
424337Kevin LepageDodge37127$68,280
431583Brian VickersToyota34122$67,382