NEXTEL Bank of America 500
Final
for this game
Bank of America 500 Preview
Oct 13, 2007 - 10:39 AMOctober 13, 2007
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Concord, North Carolina
Race 31 of 37 on Nextel Cup circuit
(30th points race; 5th of 10 in "Chase for the Nextel Cup")
TV: ABC, 7 p.m. EDT
Laps: 334
Track length: 1 1/2 miles
Race length: 500 miles
Qualifying record: Elliott Sadler, Ford, 193.216 mph, 2005
Race record: Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 160.306 mph, 1999
DRIVERS TO WATCH
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Clint Bowyer
Team: Richard Childress Racing
Car: No. 07 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2007 Earnings: $3,543,494
Chase Points: 5,627 (3rd)
Kept his solid run in the Chase going with an 11th at Talladega
to remain third in the standings, 63 points behind leader Jeff
Gordon; followed up his first career Nextel Cup win at New
Hampshire by running 12th at Dover and second at Kansas;
finished 12th at Richmond and ran 20th at California, following
a third at Bristol in three races prior to the Chase; has 14
top-10 finishes in 29 races this season; has four top-five
finishes, including a fourth on the road course at Sonoma to go
along with his solid showing at Bristol and win at New
Hampshire; has finished 30th or worse just three times - 36th at
Las Vegas, 35th at Talladega and 37th at the first race in New
Hampshire; ran 29th at Lowe's in May and 23rd at this race last
year.
Jeff Burton
Team: Richard Childress Racing
Car: No. 31 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2007 Earnings: $5,163,672
Chase Points: 5,354 (12th)
Dropped to 12th in the Chase standings after finishing last at
Talladega, following a 36th at Kansas; started the Chase in
seventh place, but dropped to 11th with his second straight 18th
place finish at New Hampshire, following Richmond; ran fourth
at California and 12th at Bristol prior to Richmond; finished
out of the top-10 in four races before California; prior to that
tough stretch had registered four top-10 finishes over a
six-race span; ran seventh at first New Hampshire race and third
at Sonoma to end a streak of four consecutive finishes outside
the top 10; has seven top-five finishes and 14 top-10s and has
only five finishes of 34th or worse this season; captured his
only victory of the season at Texas; was second in this race
last season to Kasey Kahne.
Kyle Busch
Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Car: No. 5 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2007 Earnings: $3,904,643
Chase Points: 5,430 (8th)
Had second consecutive poor showing with a 36th at Talladega to
fall 260 points behind Hendrick teammate Gordon; was run over by
Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Kansas and finished 41st; started Chase
with fourth at New Hampshire and fifth at Dover; ran 20th at
Richmond following a third-place showing at California and a
ninth at Bristol; has 16 top-10 finishes in 29 races this
season, including eight top-fives; lone win of the season came
during the first Bristol race - the inaugural Car of Tomorrow
event; will leave Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the season
for Joe Gibbs Racing; ran 30th here in May and sixth at this
race last year.
Kurt Busch
Team: Penske Racing
Car: No. 2 Dodge Charger
2007 Earnings: $4,397,523
Chase Points: 5,475 (7th)
Title hopes still slim despite running seventh at Talladega;
sits seventh in the Chase standings, 215 points behind Gordon;
posted an 11th at Kansas after starting the Chase with a 25th at
New Hampshire and 29th at Dover; did not qualify for Chase
until late in the Richmond race, where he finished ninth; turned
season around over last nine races before the Chase by
finishing out of the top 10 just twice with 11th place finishes
at the Brickyard and Watkins Glen; won at Pocono, then later at
Michigan during the rain-delayed event; has a pair of
third-place finishes at the first Talladega race and the second
Daytona race; the 2004 Nextel Cup Champion has eight finishes of
25th or worse this season; ran 32nd in last two races at
Lowe's.
Carl Edwards
Team: Roush Fenway Racing
Car: No. 17 Ford Fusion
2007 Earnings: $3,853,312
Chase Points: 5,485 (6th)
Ran 14th at Talladega a week after wrecking at Kansas and
finishing 37th; won at Dover after finishing 12th at New
Hampshire, but failed post-race inspection and was docked 25
points and fined; penalty dropped him from third to sixth in the
standings; ran 42nd at Richmond, but prior to that had four
consecutive top-10 finishes, including a win at Bristol and a
runner-up finish at California; also won at Michigan earlier
this year; has eight top-fives and 12 top-10s this year; has
been consistent with only a trio of finishes lower than 30,
including a 42nd at first Talladega race; ran eighth in this
race last season.
Jeff Gordon
Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Car: No. 24 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2007 Earnings: $6,079,656
Chase Points: 5,690 (1st)
Won at Talladega with a dramatic last-lap pass to regain the
lead in the Chase standings; holds a slim nine-point edge over
teammate Jimmie Johnson; ran fifth at Kansas; rebounded from
rough stretch leading up to the Chase by finishing 11th at Dover
and second to Bowyer at New Hampshire; prior to the Chase
finished fourth at Richmond but was 22nd at California, 19th at
Bristol and 27th at Michigan over previous three races; prior to
Michigan had finished in the top 10 in 10 straight races; was
the first driver to clinch a spot in the "Chase for the
Championship"; spun with less than two laps remaining at Watkins
Glen while leading, costing him a potential win - still managed
to finish ninth; was docked 100 points for failing
post-qualifying inspections at Sonoma, where he ran seventh; has
five checkered flags this season and 80 career, just three shy
of tying Cale Yarborough for fifth place all-time; reached a
landmark milestone at the first Talladega race, recording his
77th career victory to pass the late Dale Earnhardt for sixth
all-time; ran 41st here in May and placed 24th at this race last
year.
Denny Hamlin
Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
Car: No. 11 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2007 Earnings: $4,248,589
Chase Points: 5,428 (9th)
Finished fourth at Talladega to move up three spots to ninth in
the Chase standings; title hopes were all but dashed after 29th
at Kansas; ran 38th at Dover, dropping to last among Chase
contenders; was involved in an altercation with Kyle Petty in
the garage following wreck midway through the race at Dover; won
his only race of the season at New Hampshire in July, but could
manage only a 15th-place finish at Loudon to start the Chase;
followed up the win at New Hampshire by finishing dead last at
Daytona after wrecking early in the race with teammate Tony
Stewart; avoided the sophomore slump by posting 11 top-five and
16 top-finishes this season; finished second at Darlington and
Watkins Glen and has four third-place finishes at Las Vegas,
Martinsville, Phoenix and Richmond; also finished last at
Bristol; finished ninth here in May and 28th last October.
Kevin Harvick
Team: Richard Childress Racing
Car: No. 29 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2007 Earnings: $6,690,377
Chase Points: 5,488 (5th)
Remained fifth in the standings after running 20th at Talladega,
following a sixth at Kansas; was the final driver to clinch a
berth in the Chase and opened with a 17th at New Hampshire and a
20th at Dover despite suffering through tire issues in both
races; prior to the Chase finished seventh at Richmond, ending
struggles which included five straight finishes out of the
top-10; has finished 33rd or worse three times in 29 races this
season; was 36th at Watkins Glen on the heels of a 17th at
Pocono; won the season-opening Daytona 500 by nipping Mark
Martin at the finish line; has four top-fives and 11 top 10s
this season; finished second to Juan Pablo Montoya on the road
course at Sonoma; was 18th in this race last year.
Jimmie Johnson
Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Car: No. 48 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2007 Earnings: $6,043,555
Chase Points: 5,681 (2nd)
Dropped out of the top spot in the Chase after finishing second
to Gordon at Talladega; sits only nine points behind his
Hendrick teammate; ran third at Kansas prior to Talladega;
opened the Chase with a 14th at Dover following a sixth at New
Hampshire; earned top seed with consecutive wins at Richmond and
California; was 21st at Bristol, but posted back-to-back third
place finishes at Michigan and Watkins Glen; defending series
champion has suffered through an up-and-down season, finishing
39th at the Brickyard after a fiery crash on the heels of a 37th
at Chicago; prior to those two poor showings, finished 10th at
Daytona after running fifth at New Hampshire; has also posted
victories this season at Las Vegas, Atlanta, Martinsville and
the first Richmond race; despite collecting 16 top-five
finishes, has been hurt by five finishes outside the top 35; was
second here last October and 10th earlier this year in May.
Matt Kenseth
Team: Roush Fenway Racing
Car: No. 17 Ford Fusion
2007 Earnings: $5,145,983
Chase Points: 5,372 (11th)
Followed back-to-back 35th-place finishes at Dover and Kansas
with a 26th at Talladega to all but end title hopes; sits 11th
in the standings; ran seventh at New Hampshire; did not close
the regular season strong with a 14th at Richmond after a
seventh at California - a week after crashing and finishing 39th
at Bristol; ran fourth at Michigan in the rain delayed race;
posted fourth straight top-10 finish by placing 10th at the
Brickyard; ran 34th and 42nd, respectively, prior to the four
straight top-10 results; captured his only victory of the season
in the campaign's second race at California; has eight top-five
finishes and 17 top-10s this season; finished 12th here in May
and 14th last October.
Tony Stewart
Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
Car: No. 20 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2007 Earnings: $5,583,560
Chase Points: 5,536 (4th)
Dropped to fourth in the standings after 39th at Kansas and
remains there after eighth at Talladega; sits 154 points behind
Gordon; had moved within two points of the lead with a ninth at
Dover after placing third at New Hampshire; finished second at
Richmond to enter the Chase on a hot streak; recent surge
includes fourth at Bristol as well as running 10th at Michigan
on the heels of winning at Watkins Glen - his third win;
captured back-to-back victories at Chicagoland and at the
Brickyard while placing sixth at Pocono; finished 38th at
Daytona prior to his win at Chicago after an early-race crash
with teammate Denny Hamlin; was sixth here in May and 13th last
October.
Martin Truex Jr.
Team: Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Car: No. 1 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2007 Earnings: $4,157,586
Chase Points: 5,390 (10th)
Ran 42nd at Talladega after a 38th at Kansas and 13th at Dover
following a fifth at New Hampshire to start his first Chase;
finished 15th at Richmond, but only needed to start the race to
qualify; has been overshadowed by more famous teammate Dale
Earnhardt Jr., but has outperformed him all season; won his
first career Nextel Cup race at Dover in June; has six top-fives
and 11 top 10s, including a third at Pocono and second at
Michigan in back-to-back weeks after the win at Dover; finished
second in both Michigan races this year; has only two other
finishes outside the top 30 this season - 42nd at California and
37th at Bristol during the early part of the season; ran 31st
here last October and 16th in May.
2006 Top 10
-----------
1. Kasey Kahne (9), Dodge
2. Jimmie Johnson (48), Chevrolet
3. Jeff Burton (31), Chevrolet
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (8), Chevrolet
5. Bobby Labonte (43), Dodge
6. Kyle Busch (5), Chevrolet
7. Tony Raines (96), Chevrolet
8. Carl Edwards (99), Ford
9. Joe Nemechek (01), Chevrolet
10. Brian Vickers (25), Chevrolet
Past Champions
--------------
2006 Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 132.142 mph
2005 Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 120.334 mph
2004 Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 130.214 mph
2003 Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 142.871 mph
2002 Jamie McMurray, Dodge, 141.481 mph
2001 Sterling Marlin, Dodge, 139.006 mph
2000 Bobby Labonte, Pontiac, 133.630 mph
1999 Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 160.306 mph
1998 Mark Martin, Ford, 123.188 mph
1997 Dale Jarrett, Ford, 144.323 mph
1996 Terry Labonte, Chevrolet, 143.143 mph
1995 Mark Martin, Ford, 145.358 mph
1994 Dale Jarrett, Chevrolet, 145.922 mph
1993 Ernie Irvan, Ford, 154.537 mph
1992 Mark Martin, Ford, 153.537 mph
1991 Geoffrey Bodine, Ford, 138.984 mph
1990 Davey Allison, Ford, 137.428 mph
1989 Ken Schrader, Chevrolet, 149.863 mph
1988 Rusty Wallace, Pontiac, 130.677 mph
1987 Bill Elliott, Ford, 128.443 mph
1986 Dale Earnhardt, Chevrolet, 132.403 mph
1985 Cale Yarborough, Ford, 136.761
1984 Bill Elliott, Ford, 146.861 mph
1983 Richard Petty, Pontiac, 139.998 mph
1982 Harry Gant, Buick, 137.208 mph
1981 Darrell Waltrip, Buick, 117.483 mph
1980 Dale Earnhardt, Chevrolet, 135.243 mph
1979 Cale Yarborough, Chevrolet, 134.266 mph
1978 Bobby Allison, Ford, 141.826 mph
1977 Benny Parsons, Chevrolet, 142.780 mph
1976 Donnie Allison, Chevrolet, 141.226 mph
1975 Richard Petty, Dodge, 132.209 mph
1974 David Pearson, 73 Mercury, 119.912 mph
1973 Cale Yarborough, 73 Chevrolet, 145.240 mph
1972 Bobby Allison, 71 Chevrolet, 133.234 mph
1971 Bobby Allison, 69 Mercury, 126.140 mph
1970 LeeRoy Yarbrough, 69 Mercury, 123.426 mph
1969 Donnie Allison, 69 Ford, 131.271 mph
1968 Charlie Glotzbach, 68 Dodge, 135.324 mph
1967 Buddy Baker, 67 Dodge, 130.317 mph
1966 *LeeRoy Yarbrough, 66 Dodge, 130.743 mph
1965 Fred Lorenzen, 65 Ford, 119.118 mph
1964 Fred Lorenzen, 64 Ford, 134.559 mph
1963 Junior Johnson, 63 Chevrolet, 132.105 mph
1962 Junior Johnson, 62 Pontiac, 132.085 mph
1961 Joe Weatherly, 61 Pontiac, 119.800 mph
1960 Speedy Thompson, 60 Ford, 112.760 mph
* Race changed from 400 to 500 miles
