2007 Daytona 500

2007 stock car race in Daytona Beach, Florida February 2025 NASNEX 2007 1 36 2007 Daytona 500 https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2007_Daytona_500/W April 17, 2026 April 11, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260411175608/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2007_Daytona_500/W live Racing-Reference.info NASCAR Digital Media 2007 Gatorade Duel 150 #1 https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results?raceId=2007-01&series=Q April 17, 2026 March 30, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260330152112/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results?raceId=2007-01&series=Q live Racing-Reference.info NASCAR Digital Media 2007 Gatorade Duel 150 #2 https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results?raceId=2007-02&series=Q April 17, 2026 July 16, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220716011630/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/?raceId=2007-02&series=Q live Racing-Reference.info NASCAR Digital Media Daytona5002007.jpg 2007 2 18 Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, Florida, United States 2.500 4.023 202 505.000 812.718 200 500.000 804.672 Cold with temperatures approaching 55.9 F C; wind speeds up to 15.90 mph km/h Weather information for the 2007 Daytona 500 http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/FL/Daytona%20Beach/2007-02-18 January 6, 2015 2016-03-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232957/http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/FL/Daytona%20Beach/2007-02-18 live 149.333 mi/h 185,000 David Gilliland Robert Yates Racing 48.304 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Kurt Busch Penske Racing 95 29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Fox Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds 10.1/20 (17.53 million viewers) CUP: Wild Daytona 500 on FOX Draws Fifth-Highest Rating Ever http://www.speedtv.com/articles/nascar/nextel/35491/ May 6, 2026 February 23, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070223021622/http://www.speedtv.com/articles/nascar/nextel/35491/ dead speedtv.com Speed Channel 2007 Daytona 500 logo 49th Annual Daytona 500 The 2007 Daytona 500 (officially the 49th Annual Daytona 500) was a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series stock car race that was held on February 18, 2007, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida before 185,000 spectators. It was the first race of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season and the 49th running of the event. Richard Childress Racing driver Kevin Harvick won the 202-lap race, which was extended from its scheduled distance of 200 laps due to a green–white–checkered finish. Mark Martin of Ginn Racing finished second and Harvick's teammate Jeff Burton came in third. Background Preview left|thumb|250x250px|Daytona International Speedway (pictured in 2015), where the race was held. The Daytona 500 was confirmed to be included in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' 2007 schedule in August 2006.Redmayne Tim August 24, 2006 NASCAR unveils 2007 calendar https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/nascar-unveils-2007-calendar-4404117/4404117/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20210623234458/https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/nascar-unveils-2007-calendar-4404117/4404117/ June 23, 2021 April 18, 2026 Autosport It was the first of 36 scheduled stock car races for the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the 49th annual edition of the event. The race was held on February 18, 2007 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, with a scheduled distance of 200 laps and 500 mi km on. The track is a 2.5 mi km on superspeedway and has four corners, which are banked as high as 31 degrees.Daytona International Speedway http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/index.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070302201338/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/index.html March 2, 2007 April 17, 2026 NASCAR The front stretch, where the start-finish line is located, is banked at 18 degrees, while the back stretch has three-degree banking.THE RACE: The Daytona 500 http://jayski.com/next/2007/1dis2007.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070228025852/http://www.jayski.com/next/2007/1dis2007.htm February 28, 2007 April 17, 2026 Jayski's Silly Season Site The event was first introduced to the series' calendar in February 1959 and became the season-opening race of the series in 1982. It is considered one of NASCAR's crown jewel races, alongside the Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500, and Brickyard 400.Daytona International Speedway http://www.speedway-guide.com/Daytona-International-Speedway.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100830050250/http://www.speedway-guide.com/Daytona-International-Speedway.html August 30, 2010 April 17, 2026 Speedway-Guide.comJenkins Keith February 11, 2026 What are NASCAR's crown jewel races? Daytona 500 and more https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/43810372/what-nascar-crown-jewel-races-daytona-500-more live https://web.archive.org/web/20260409192625/https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/43810372/what-nascar-crown-jewel-races-daytona-500-more April 9, 2026 April 17, 2026 ESPN Jimmie Johnson was the defending race winner.2006 Daytona 500 https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2006_Daytona_500/W live https://web.archive.org/web/20220818134036/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2006_Daytona_500/W August 18, 2022 April 21, 2026 Racing-Reference.info NASCAR Digital Media Entries 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series#Teams and drivers Sixty-one cars were officially entered for the Daytona 500,Tomlinson Joy December 30, 2023 49 Days 'Til Daytona: The 49th (2007) Daytona 500 https://frontstretch.com/2023/12/30/49-days-til-daytona-the-49th-2007-daytona-500/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250720212936/https://frontstretch.com/2023/12/30/49-days-til-daytona-the-49th-2007-daytona-500/ July 20, 2025 April 18, 2026 Frontstretch.com representing four different manufacturers and 29 teams.Entry List - Daytona 500 http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/entry_list.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070219022345/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/entry_list.html February 19, 2007 April 18, 2026 NASCAR2007 Daytona 500 https://motorsportstats.com/results/nascar-cup-series/2007/daytona-500/info live https://web.archive.org/web/20250115015757/https://motorsportstats.com/results/nascar-cup-series/2007/daytona-500/info January 15, 2025 April 18, 2026 MotorsportStats.com Among the many stories heading into the event was the Cup Series debut of Toyota, which became the first foreign car manufacturer to compete in the series since Alfa Romeo in 1962.Florea Ciprian September 30, 2023 Foreign Carmakers in NASCAR: Failed European Attempts and Japanese Successes https://www.autoevolution.com/news/foreign-carmakers-in-nascar-failed-european-attempts-and-japanese-success-222017.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20230930142901/https://www.autoevolution.com/news/foreign-carmakers-in-nascar-failed-european-attempts-and-japanese-success-222017.html September 30, 2023 April 18, 2026 AutoEvolution.com Toyota supplied their Camry vehicle for Bill Davis Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR), and the newly-formed Red Bull Racing Team.February 10, 2007 Daytona 500: Toyota teams day one quotes https://au.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/daytona-500-toyota-teams-day-one-quotes/2124748/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20260418181409/https://au.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/daytona-500-toyota-teams-day-one-quotes/2124748/ April 18, 2026 April 18, 2026 au.motorsport.com High expectations surrounded Juan Pablo Montoya, a winner in Formula One and the Indianapolis 500, as he was set to begin his highly publicized rookie season with Chip Ganassi Racing.February 16, 2007 Daytona 500: Chip Ganassi Racing preview https://au.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/daytona-500-chip-ganassi-racing-preview/2126060/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20260418183130/https://au.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/daytona-500-chip-ganassi-racing-preview/2126060/ April 18, 2026 April 18, 2026 au.motorsport.com Former Champ Car World Series driver A. J. Allmendinger also prepared for his series debut as he was teamed with Brian Vickers at the Red Bull Racing Team;February 2, 2007 Allmendinger prepared for bumpy road in NASCAR http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/6433168 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070205042119/http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/6433168 February 5, 2007 April 18, 2026 Fox Sports Charlotte, North Carolina Vickers' former seat at Hendrick Motorsports was taken by Casey Mears.Peltz Jim February 10, 2007 A season of change arrives for NASCAR https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-feb-10-sp-motors10-story.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20260420212821/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-feb-10-sp-motors10-story.html April 20, 2026 April 20, 2026 Los Angeles Times Mark Martin ended his 19-year tenure with Roush Fenway Racing to race part-time with Ginn Racing beginning at Daytona, allowing David Ragan to replace him in the No. Car number 6 car.Zyla Greg February 11, 2007 Martin Has History with 01 Chevy https://books.google.com/books?id=oukfAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA10&dq=mark+martin+ginn+racing&article_id=1634,2222497&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiRuPrWtf2TAxXJlokEHV0kCEMQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=mark%20martin%20ginn%20racing&f=false live April 20, 2026 The Nevada Daily Mail 10 James Hylton, the 1966 Rookie of the Year, hoped to become the oldest driver to start a Cup Series race at 72 years old with his self-owned Chevrolet.Fryer Jenna January 16, 2007 At 72, Hylton sets sights on making Daytona 500 https://eu.poconorecord.com/story/sports/2007/01/16/at-72-hylton-sets-sights/52851292007/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250819115629/https://eu.poconorecord.com/story/sports/2007/01/16/at-72-hylton-sets-sights/52851292007/ August 19, 2025 April 20, 2026 Pocono Record Eight-time ARCA Re/Max Series champion Frank Kimmel joined Fast Track Racing in his attempt to make his Daytona 500 debut. Testing To prepare for the race, NASCAR hosted six days of testing split into twelve sessions, named the Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder, at Daytona International Speedway; the first three sessions were held from January 8 to 10, and the latter three took place from January 15 to 17. The sessions began at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (UTC−05:00), were paused for an hour-long lunch break at 12:00 p.m., and ended at 5:00 p.m.September 25, 2006 Nextel Cup test dates announced for 2007 http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/cup/09/25/2007.test.dates/index.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061206223127/http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/cup/09/25/2007.test.dates/index.html December 6, 2006 April 18, 2026 NASCAR Derrike Cope, Elliott, Kevin Lepage, and Morgan Shepherd did not take part in any of the testing sessions. Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon were substituted by Mike McLaughlin and P. J. Jones, respectively, with Gordon opting to compete in the Dakar Rally.2007 NEXTEL CUP TESTING NEWS - DAYTONA 500, Session 1 - DAYS 1-4, Jan. 8-11 http://jayski.com/stats/testing/testing2007daytona1.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070202203457/http://jayski.com/stats/testing/testing2007daytona1.htm February 2, 2007 April 21, 2026 Jayski's Silly Season Site On the morning of January 8, Tony Raines was quickest of the 25 participants with a speed of 183.974 mph km/h on. The afternoon session that day was cancelled due to rainfall and rescheduled to January 11. Between the 26 drivers who completed laps on January 9, Jamie McMurray topped the speed charts in the morning session at 184.090 mph km/h on, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s 186.606 mph km/h on lap made him fastest in the afternoon session. On January 10, McLaughlin posted the fastest speed in the morning at 184.483 mph km/h on, while Jeff Green was quickest in the afternoon with a speed of 186.722 mph km/h on. To end the first week of testing, Ricky Rudd was fastest between 16 drivers on the morning of January 11 at 186.405 mph km/h on. Because rain had drenched the track until 11:00 AM, the morning and afternoon sessions were combined and the lunch break was cancelled for January 15. With 34 drivers taking part, David Gilliland topped the speed charts at 185.090 mph km/h on. Montoya was quickest on the morning of January 16 with a speed of 184.574 mph km/h on, but collided with the wall as Mike Wallace spun. Ryan Newman's lap speed of 186.540 mph km/h on made him quickest of the afternoon session. With five minutes left in the session, Kurt Busch's engine expired and he parked off-track with a trail of smoke. On January 17, Kurt Busch posted the fastest speed of 191.188 mph km/h on with a Car of Tomorrow, set to debut in the Food City 500, which utilized a 1+1/8 in on restrictor plate instead of the standard 7/8 in on plate. The afternoon session, which ended at 1:30 PM due to rain, was led by Paul Menard with a speed of 187.099 mph km/h on.2007 NEXTEL CUP TESTING NEWS - DAYTONA 500 - DAYS 5-7, Jan. 15-17 http://jayski.com/stats/testing/testing2007daytona2.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070202202342/http://jayski.com/stats/testing/testing2007daytona2.htm February 2, 2007 April 21, 2026 Jayski's Silly Season Site Practice and qualifying 2007 Gatorade Duels Six practice sessions were held prior to the race. The first two sessions on February 10 lasted 120 and 90 minutes, respectively. The next two on February 14 ran for 55 and 50 minutes. A 60-minute session was held on February 16, followed by an 80-minute session the next day.January 9, 2007 Daytona International Speedway - 2007 Speedweeks Schedule http://i.a.cnn.net/nascar/.element/img/promos/speedweeks/2007_speedweeks_sched.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070216140418/http://i.a.cnn.net/nascar/.element/img/promos/speedweeks/2007_speedweeks_sched.pdf February 16, 2007 April 28, 2026 NASCAR Rudd posted the fastest lap of the first practice session with a time of 48.374 seconds, with Robert Yates Racing (RYR) teammate Gilliland in second, Sterling Marlin in third, Jeff Gordon in fourth, and Elliott Sadler in fifth.Practice Speeds - Daytona 500 (Practice 1) http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice1_speeds.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070212044319/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice1_speeds.html February 12, 2007 April 28, 2026 NASCAR The session was briefly halted for Dave Blaney, whose engine had expired.Practice Speeds Page - Daytona 500 http://www.jayski.com/next/2007/practices/2007dis1-prac.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070220005619/http://www.jayski.com/next/2007/practices/2007dis1-prac.htm February 20, 2007 April 28, 2026 Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Rudd was again fastest during the second practice session with a 48.190-second lap, besting Marlin, Gilliland, Jeremy Mayfield, and Jeff Gordon.Practice Speeds - Daytona 500 (Practice 2) http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice2_speeds.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070503023616/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice2_speeds.html May 3, 2007 April 28, 2026 NASCAR The qualifying session was held on February 11. Unlike most NASCAR races, it only determined the top two starting positions for the Daytona 500. Positions third through 39th would be determined by the Gatorade Duels on February 15; the four fastest drivers of qualifying who weren't already locked in to the race would occupy the last four positions, three if a champion's provisional was to be used for the most recent series champion that wasn't already guaranteed to compete in the race. With a lap of 48.304 seconds, Gilliland earned his first career pole position and was joined on the grid's front row by Rudd, who was almost two tenths of a second slower. It was the second time, and the first since 2000, that two RYR drivers qualified on the front row in the Daytona 500.Fellows Donna Gilliland Wins Daytona Pole in First Try https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2007/02/12/gilliland-wins-daytona-pole-in-first-try/25877182007/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20260428203549/https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2007/02/12/gilliland-wins-daytona-pole-in-first-try/25877182007/ April 28, 2026 April 28, 2026 The Ledger Now, I'm ready to bear all responsibility for what happened. I encourage you to ask me any questions or write your opinions because you can't hurt me any worse than I am right now. My beautiful 9-year-old asked her mom on Monday why Daddy cheated the rules. That hurts pretty bad. I love NASCAR. I hate that I've caused this sort of commotion around their wonderful sport. This is the Daytona 500. We're not supposed to be talking about some stupid fuel thing that we put in the car. We're supposed to be talking about the pageantry and glory of what it means to win this race. I'm embarrassed to be sitting here in front of you, taking up your time talking about something that doesn't have anything to do with what the fans have come to see. Michael Waltrip's emotional apology on February 15. CUP: Mikey's Mea Culpa http://www.speedtv.com/articles/nascar/nextel/35403/ April 30, 2026 April 3, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070403171209/http://www.speedtv.com/articles/nascar/nextel/35403/ dead Speed Channel Jensen Tom February 15, 2007 right 35% Two days after qualifying, Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne were both docked 50 Drivers' Championship points and their entries lost 50 Owners' Championship points after NASCAR officials discovered unapproved holes in their cars which enhanced their aerodynamics. Their qualifying times were also disallowed, forcing them to start at the rear for the second Duel race. In addition, their crew chiefs, Robbie Reiser and Kenny Francis, were suspended for the first four races of the season and fined $50,000.Blount Terry Penalties likely for Kahne, Kenseth teams http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/columns/story?seriesId=2&columnist=blount_terry&id=2762452 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070221221526/http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/columns/story?seriesId=2&columnist=blount_terry&id=2762452 February 21, 2007 April 28, 2026 ESPN Internet VenturesAumann Mark February 12, 2007 Notes: Kenseth, Kahne qual times disallowed http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/02/11/mkenseth.kkahne.DQd/index.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070214064019/http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/02/11/mkenseth.kkahne.DQd/index.html February 14, 2007 April 28, 2026 NASCAR Kahne's Evernham Motorsports teammates, Scott Riggs and Sadler, were found to have illegal bolts in their spoilers and were penalized with a loss of 25 drivers' and owners' points, while their crew chiefs (Rodney Childers and Josh Browne) faced a two-race suspension and a $25,000 fine.Rodman Dave February 13, 2007 Reiser, Francis hit with four-race suspensions http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/02/13/mkenseth.kkahne.penalties/index.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070220083708/http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/02/13/mkenseth.kkahne.penalties/index.html February 20, 2007 April 29, 2026 NASCARPockrass Bob February 14, 2007 Evernham won't appeal four-race suspension http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/02/12/scene_daily437.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070216084030/http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/02/12/scene_daily437.html February 16, 2007 April 29, 2026 SceneDaily.com The following day, Michael Waltrip's crew chief David Hyder and MWR's director of competition Bobby Kennedy were both escorted out of Daytona and suspended indefinitely after NASCAR officials found an unidentified illegal substance in two of his intake manifolds and confiscated Waltrip's car.Rodman Dave February 15, 2007 Severe penalties levied against Waltrip Racing http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/02/14/mwaltrip.penalties/index.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070218101419/http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/02/14/mwaltrip.penalties/index.html February 18, 2007 April 30, 2026 NASCAR Hyder was levied a $100,000 fine, the largest in the history of the sport,fine-record The record was broken in 2009 when Carl Long's crew chief Charles Swing was fined $200,000 for an oversized engine in Long's car.June 1, 2009 NASCAR upholds $200,000 fine, suspensions of Carl Long and others https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a2027866/nascar-upholds-200000-fine-suspensions-carl-long-and-others/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20221105212015/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a2027866/nascar-upholds-200000-fine-suspensions-carl-long-and-others/ November 5, 2022 April 30, 2026 Autoweek while Waltrip was docked 100 drivers' points and his entry 100 owners' points.Newton David February 15, 2007 Waltrip docked 100 points; crew chief will be fired http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/news/story?seriesId=2&id=2765503 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140513093042/http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/news/story?seriesId=2&id=2765503 May 13, 2014 April 30, 2026 ESPN Internet VenturesFebruary 13, 2007 DAYTONA BRIEFS: Waltrip is handed biggest penalty in NASCAR history https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2050891/daytona-briefs-waltrip-handed-biggest-penalty-nascar-history/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20210420051523/https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2050891/daytona-briefs-waltrip-handed-biggest-penalty-nascar-history/ April 20, 2021 April 30, 2026 Autoweek Kenseth was the quickest driver of the third practice session with a time of 47.801 seconds; Reed Sorenson, Mears, Wallace, and Derrike Cope rounded out the top-five.Practice Speeds - Daytona 500 (Practice 3) http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice3_speeds.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070216004830/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice3_speeds.html February 16, 2007 April 30, 2026 NASCAR Riggs, Rudd, Menard, Hamlin, Carl Edwards, and Gilliland all scraped the wall and damaged their cars throughout the session due to the windy air conditions. Newman topped the fourth practice session later that day at 47.957 seconds, ahead of Jeff Burton, Blaney, Stewart, and Greg Biffle.Practice Speeds - Daytona 500 (Practice 4) http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice4_speeds.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070223224335/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice4_speeds.html February 23, 2007 April 30, 2026 NASCAR Stewart and Gordon won the Gatorade Duels the day after and secured the third and fourth positions on the starting grid, respectively.Harris Mike February 15, 2007 Stewart, Gordon win Duel qualifying races http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/02/15/duels.ap/index.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070220033216/http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/02/15/duels.ap/index.html February 20, 2007 April 30, 2026 NASCAR However, Gordon's car was found to be an inch too low in post-race inspections because the shock mount and spacers intended to hold the rear shock absorber were misaligned, and he was thus forced to start the Daytona 500 in 42nd place.Newton David February 16, 2007 Gordon wins qualifying race, fails inspection http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=2&id=2767340 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070218074702/http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=2&id=2767340 February 18, 2007 April 30, 2026 ESPN Internet Ventures The 18 drivers that failed to qualify for the race were Mayfield, Mike Skinner, Regan Smith, Ward Burton, Menard, Allmendinger, Lepage, Bill Elliott, Vickers, Kenny Wallace, Kimmel, Mike Bliss, Eric McClure, Stanton Barrett, Kirk Shelmerdine, Cope, Brandon Whitt, and Hylton. Rudd was fastest in the fifth practice session with a timed lap of 47.315 seconds, with Biffle in second, Martin Truex Jr. in third, Kurt Busch in fourth, and Blaney in fifth.Practice Speeds - Daytona 500 (Practice 5) http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice5_speeds.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070220234612/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice5_speeds.html February 20, 2007 April 30, 2026 NASCAR David Stremme's lap time of 47.342 seconds made him the quickest driver of the final practice session, besting Kyle Busch, Johnny Sauter, Joe Nemechek, and Ragan.Practice Speeds - Daytona 500 (Practice 6) http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice6_speeds.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070219022842/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/practice6_speeds.html February 19, 2007 April 30, 2026 NASCAR Qualifying results Grid Final starting position No. Car number Driver Team ManufacturerReason 138 David Gilliland Robert Yates RacingFordFastest in pole qualifying 288 Ricky Rudd Robert Yates RacingFordSecond-fastest in pole qualifying 320 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing ChevroletDuel 1 winner 42 Kurt Busch Penske Racing DodgeSecond place in Duel 2 58 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. ChevroletSecond place in Duel 1 640 David Stremme Chip Ganassi Racing DodgeThird place in Duel 2 731 Jeff Burton Richard Childress RacingChevroletThird place in Duel 1 85 Kyle Busch Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFourth place in Duel 2 911 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing ChevroletFifth place in Duel 1 1017 Matt Kenseth Roush Fenway Racing FordFifth place in Duel 2 1107 Clint Bowyer Richard Childress Racing ChevroletSixth place in Duel 1 12118 J. J. Yeley Joe Gibbs Racing ChevroletSixth place in Duel 2 131 Martin Truex Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. ChevroletSeventh place in Duel 1 1499 Carl Edwards Roush Fenway Racing FordSeventh place in Duel 2 1555 Michael Waltrip Michael Waltrip Racing ToyotaEighth place in Duel 1 1612 Ryan NewmanPenske Racing DodgeEighth place in Duel 2 1725 Casey Mears Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletNinth place in Duel 1 1813 Joe Nemechek Ginn Racing ChevroletNinth place in Duel 2 1921 Ken Schrader Wood Brothers Racing FordTenth place in Duel 1 2096 Tony Raines Hall of Fame Racing ChevroletTenth place in Duel 2 2148 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletEleventh place in Duel 1 2209 Mike Wallace Phoenix Racing ChevroletEleventh place in Duel 2 2360 Boris Said No Fear Racing FordTwelfth place in Duel 1 2426 Jamie McMurray Roush Fenway Racing FordThirteenth place in Duel 2 2516 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing FordSixteenth place in Duel 1 2601 Mark Martin Ginn Racing ChevroletFourteenth place in Duel 2 2743 Bobby Labonte Petty Enterprises DodgeTwenty-second place in Duel 1 289 Kasey Kahne Gillett Evernham Motorsports DodgeSixteenth place in Duel 2 2945 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises DodgeTwenty-fourth place in Duel 1 3019 Elliott Sadler Gillett Evernham Motorsports DodgeTwenty-first place in Duel 2 3166 Jeff Green Haas CNC Racing ChevroletTwenty-fifth place in Duel 1 3210 Scott Riggs Gillett Evernham Motorsports DodgeTwenty-fifth place in Duel 2 33141 Reed Sorenson Chip Ganassi Racing DodgeTwenty-seventh place in Duel 1 3429 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing ChevroletTwenty-ninth place in Duel 2 356 David Ragan Roush Fenway Racing FordTwenty-eighth place in Duel 1 3642 Juan Pablo Montoya Chip Ganassi Racing DodgeThirtieth place in Duel 2 3722 Dave Blaney Bill Davis Racing ToyotaThirtieth place in Duel 1 3814 Sterling Marlin Ginn Racing ChevroletEighth-fastest in pole qualifying 397 Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports FordThirty-first place in Duel 1 40100 David Reutimann Michael Waltrip Racing ToyotaFourteenth-fastest in pole qualifying 4170 Johnny Sauter Haas CNC Racing ChevroletNinth-fastest in pole qualifying 4224 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletDuel 2 winner, inspection failure 4344 Dale Jarrett Michael Waltrip Racing ToyotaChampion's provisional Failed to qualify 4436 Jeremy Mayfield Bill Davis Racing Toyota 4523 Mike Skinner Bill Davis Racing Toyota 4639 Regan Smith Ginn Racing Chevrolet 474 Ward Burton Morgan-McClure Motorsports Chevrolet 4815 Paul Menard Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 4984 A. J. Allmendinger Red Bull Racing Team Toyota 5034 Kevin Lepage Front Row Motorsports Dodge 5137 Bill Elliott Front Row Motorsports Dodge 5283 Brian Vickers Red Bull Racing Team Toyota 5378 Kenny Wallace Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet 5471 Frank Kimmel Fast Track Racing Ford 5549 Mike Bliss BAM Racing Dodge 5604 Eric McClure Morgan-McClure Motorsports Chevrolet 5730 Stanton Barrett Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet 5827 Kirk Shelmerdine Kirk Shelmerdine Racing Chevrolet 5972 Brandon Whitt CJM Racing Chevrolet 6074 Derrike Cope McGlynn Racing Dodge 6158 James Hylton Hylton Motorsports Chevrolet1 Moved to the back of the grid for changing transmissionsSources:JAYSKI's Semi-Live QUALIFYING/GRID page for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/grids/2007dis1-grid.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070220005035/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/grids/2007dis1-grid.htm February 20, 2007 May 1, 2026 Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet VenturesRace Lineup - Daytona 500 http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/lineup.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070218054058/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/1/data/lineup.html February 18, 2007 May 1, 2026 NASCAR Race Live television coverage of the race in the United States was broadcast on Fox and began at 2:01 p.m.February 20, 2007 Lap-by-Lap: Daytona http://www.nascar.com/2007/races/lapbylap/02/18/daytona.500/story_single.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070502054728/http://www.nascar.com/2007/races/lapbylap/02/18/daytona.500/story_single.html May 2, 2007 May 4, 2026 NASCAR Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip, and Larry McReynolds provided commentary for the race. Weather conditions towards the beginning of the race were breezy and sunny, with air temperatures recorded at 51 and 54 F on and track temperatures at 79 F C, with 17 to 25 mph on wind gusts. A sellout crowd of 185,000 spectators attended the race. Pre-race festivities began with a moment of silence for the victims of the 2007 Groundhog Day tornado outbreak and an invocation from Reverend Doctor Victor E. Gooden.NASCAR on Fox February 18, 2007 Joy Mike Mike Joy Waltrip Darrell Darrell Waltrip McReynolds Larry Larry McReynolds Television production en Daytona Beach, Florida Country music band Big & Rich performed the national anthem, and actor Nicolas Cage commanded the drivers to start their engines. A military flyover by McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagles proceeded afterward. Cal Ripken Jr., who had recently been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, was the honorary pace car driver. Prior to the race, three drivers (J. J. Yeley, Sorenson, and David Reutimann) fell to the rear of the grid for changing transmissions. To start the race, the green flag was waved at 3:30 p.m. by Phil Parsons, whose brother Benny had passed away a month prior due to lung cancer. Gilliland maintained his pole position advantage and held onto the lead, while Rudd fell to sixth place by lap two. Kurt Busch and Stewart also improved to second and third, respectively. On the sixth lap, Earnhardt Jr.'s car briefly spewed tire smoke as he drove over the many bumps in the corners. Seven laps later, Jeff Gordon's car drifted up into the outside wall in turn two while he ran 21st. The first caution flag of the race was issued on lap 18 when Boris Said collided with the left-side door of Reutimann exiting turn two and spun through the pavement on the back stretch.Daytona 500 http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/cup/raceTrax?gameId=20070218001 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070220043823/http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/cup/raceTrax?gameId=20070218001 February 20, 2007 May 6, 2026 Fox Sports All of the leaders made pit stops for tires and fuel, and a quick two-tire stop for Kurt Busch allowed him to take the lead for the restart on lap 21, followed by Gilliland, Stewart, Earnhardt Jr., and Newman.thumb|Kevin Harvick's 2007 Daytona 500-winning No. 29 Pennzoil Chevrolet Monte Carlo On lap 152, Stewart got on the apron in turn 4, got loose, and spun into Kurt Busch. He spun to a halt, while Busch kept the engine going and went to the garage area for repairs. However, with 46 laps to go, he was unable to continue and did not finish the race. A fourth caution came on lap 175 when a 5-car crash involving Reutimann, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Green and Tony Raines occurred in the backstretch. Mark Martin took the lead shortly before the yellow flag came out. Another crash which took out Ken Schrader happened on lap 186, after contact from Dave Blaney who was parked for the remainder of the race (who may have been unaware of his right front tire being flat according to Darrell Waltrip). With 5 laps to go, Matt Kenseth ran into Jamie McMurray, who hit the wall and collected Dale Earnhardt Jr. with him. Ricky Rudd and Martin Truex Jr. were collected as well. Rudd remained on the lead lap, but Truex fell a lap down. McMurray and Earnhardt Jr. both were out of the race, finishing 31st and 32nd, respectively. The race was delayed for approximately 12 minutes for cleanup under the red flag. This set up a green-white-checkered finish. With 2 laps to go, an outside line began to form, with Kevin Harvick, Kenseth and Jeff Burton. Martin came to the white flag looking for a victory. On the backstretch, Kyle Busch, sitting 2nd place, tried both ways to get around Martin. Meanwhile, Kenseth began to bump-draft Harvick, with Burton in tow. Harvick flew by David Stremme, Gilliland, Mike Wallace, David Ragan and Greg Biffle. Busch, trying to get around Martin and block Harvick at the same, nearly squeezed Harvick into the wall as Harvick zipped past him and pulled even with Martin. Harvick and Martin, Busch and Kenseth, and Biffle and Burton were side by side out of turn 4. With the checkered flag in sight, Busch hit the apron, getting him loose. He spun out and started a chain reaction collecting most of the field. Clint Bowyer took the worst hit, turning over on his roof and skidding across the finish line on it while on fire before flipping back upright in the grass. Harvick beat Martin by .02 of a second to claim the victory. After being 6th place out of turn 4, Burton finished 3rd. Mike Wallace and David Ragan were surprises, rounding out the Top 5. Race results Pos Grid Car No. Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Laps Led Status 1 34 29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 202 4 Running 2 26 01 Mark Martin Ginn Racing Chevrolet 202 26 Running 3 7 31 Jeff Burton Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 202 0 Running 4 22 09 Mike Wallace Phoenix Racing Chevrolet 202 0 Running 5 35 6 David Ragan (R) Roush Racing Ford 202 0 Running 6 30 19 Elliott Sadler Evernham Motorsports Dodge 202 0 Running 7 28 9 Kasey Kahne Evernham Motorsports Dodge 202 0 Running 8 1 38 David Gilliland (R) Robert Yates Racing Ford 202 18 Running 9 18 13 Joe Nemechek Ginn Racing Chevrolet 202 0 Running 10 42 24 Jeff Gordon (W) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 202 0 Running 11 6 40 David Stremme Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 202 0 Running 12 12 18 J. J. Yeley Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 202 0 Running 13 33 41 Reed Sorenson Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 202 0 Running 14 23 60 Boris Said No Fear Racing Ford 202 0 Running 15 39 7 Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports Ford 202 0 Running 16 41 70 Johnny Sauter Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet 202 0 Running 17 38 14 Sterling Marlin (W) Ginn Racing Chevrolet 202 1 Running 18 11 07 Clint Bowyer Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 202 0 Running 19 36 42 Juan Pablo Montoya (R) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 202 0 Running 20 17 25 Casey Mears Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 202 0 Running 21 17 43 Bobby Labonte Petty Enterprises Dodge 202 0 Running 22 43 44 Dale Jarrett (W) Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 202 0 Running 23 14 99 Carl Edwards Roush Racing Ford 202 0 Running 24 8 5 Kyle Busch Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 202 4 Running 25 25 16 Greg Biffle Roush Racing Ford 202 0 Running 26 2 88 Ricky Rudd Robert Yates Racing Ford 202 0 Running 27 10 17 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford 202 6 Running 28 9 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 201 0 Flagged 29 13 1 Martin Truex Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 201 13 Flagged 30 15 55 Michael Waltrip (W) Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 200 0 Flagged 31 24 26 Jamie McMurray Roush Racing Ford 195 0 Accident 32 5 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (W) Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 195 0 Accident 33 20 96 Tony Raines Hall of Fame Racing Chevrolet 195 0 Flagged 34 37 22 Dave Blaney Bill Davis Racing Toyota 186 0 Parked 35 19 21 Ken Schrader Wood Brothers Racing Ford 185 0 Accident 36 31 66 Jeff Green Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet 181 0 Flagged 37 32 10 Scott Riggs Evernham Motorsports Dodge 179 0 Flagged 38 16 12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing Dodge 175 1 Engine 39 21 48 Jimmie Johnson (W) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 173 0 Accident 40 40 00 David Reutimann (R) Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 173 0 Accident 41 4 2 Kurt Busch Penske Racing Dodge 166 95 Flagged 42 29 45 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises Dodge 160 0 Flagged 43 3 20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 152 35 AccidentSource:2007 Daytona 500 – Racing-Reference.info http://racing-reference.info/race/2007_Daytona_500/W https://archive.today/20120909031338/http://www.racing-reference.info/race/1996_Daytona_500/W 2012-09-09 live 2013-12-06 Controversy over the finish Because of an incident between Casey Mears and Dale Jarrett at the 2003 Sylvania 300 in New Hampshire International Speedway, NASCAR mandated a "freezing of the field" policy whenever a caution flag is thrown, effectively ending the phenomenon that is racing back to the caution. Such a flag did not fly after the last-lap crash. There is some disputed visual evidence that suggests that, if the caution had flown strictly according to NASCAR rules, Martin may have won.https://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?seriesId=2&columnist=blount_terry&id=2770638 ESPN.com: Harvick barely takes checkered at drama-filled Daytona 2007-10-29 2007-02-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20070223175729/http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/columns/story?seriesId=2&columnist=blount_terry&id=2770638 live The issue was especially passionate because Martin was in his 23rd Daytona 500 start and had never won. Such a win, arguably, would have been popular with fans, similar to Dale Earnhardt's 1998 victory (in his 20th start) or Darrell Waltrip's 1989 triumph (in his 17th). Martin retired following the 2013 season, never having achieved a Daytona 500 victory in his 29 attempts. In some races, NASCAR has permitted the cars to run to the finish in case of more "minor" spins on the last lap. Notes and references Notes References NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Season 2007 2006 Ford 400 2007 Auto Club 500 Daytona 500 Daytona 500 Category:NASCAR races at Daytona International Speedway Category:February 2007 sports events in the United States