2007 UAW-Ford 500

30th race of 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup series August 2018 August 2018 NASNEX Race 30 of 36 in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season UAW-Ford 500 The Race: The UAW-Ford 500 http://www.jayski.com/next/2007/30tss2007.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site March 24, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160417140331/http://www.jayski.com/next/2007/30tss2007.htm April 17, 2016 dead mdy-allhttps://www.racing-reference.info/race/2007_UAW-Ford_500/W 2007 UAW-Ford 500 Racing-Reference https://web.archive.org/web/20180806180157/https://www.racing-reference.info/race/2007_UAW-Ford_500/W August 6, 2018 dead August 6, 2018 mdy-all 2007 10 7 2007 30 36 2007_UAW-Ford_500_program_cover.jpg The 2007 UAW-Ford 500 program cover. UAW-Ford 500 Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, Alabama 2.66 4.28 188 500.08 804.8 Hot with temperatures approaching 90 F C; average wind speeds of 8.9 mph km/hWeather information for the 2007 UAW-Ford 500 http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/AL/Talladega/2007-10-07 Old Farmer's Almanac August 18, 2013 https://archive.today/20240526170942/https://www.webcitation.org/6HX9LpD1Q?url=http://m.almanac.com/weather/history/AL/Talladega/2007-10-07 May 26, 2024 live mdy-all 143.438 mi/h Michael Waltrip Michael Waltrip Racing 50.648 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing 40 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports ABC Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Rusty Wallace 4.6 (Final) 4.2 (Overnight) (7,347,000 viewers)2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup TV Ratings http://www.jayski.com/pages/tvratings2007.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site August 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20090427210535/http://jayski.com/pages/tvratings2007.htm April 27, 2009 dead mdy-all 155,000 The 2007 UAW-Ford 500 was the 30th stock car race of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the fourth in the ten-race season-ending Chase for the Nextel Cup. It was held on October 7, 2007, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, before a crowd of 155,000. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won the 188-lap race starting from 34th position. His teammate Jimmie Johnson finished second and Dave Blaney was third. The event marked the debut of the Car of Tomorrow at a superspeedway, but it was heavily criticized for its lack of visibility, and drivers raised fears of becoming airborne if hit by another car. Michael Waltrip won the pole position by posting the fastest lap in qualifying but was passed by Blaney by the end of the first lap. The race lead changed 42 times, with Denny Hamlin leading the most laps out of any other driver (40). Johnson took the lead after driving on the outside lane on lap 183. Johnson led as the final lap began, but Gordon went to the outside of the track, and was bump-drafted by Tony Stewart, allowing him to claim his fifth victory of the season, his sixth at Talladega Superspeedway, the 80th of his career, and he surpassed Dale Earnhardt as the driver with the most restrictor plate wins, twelve. The result advanced Gordon to the Drivers' Championship's lead, and his teammate Johnson (who led coming into the race) fell to second. The trio of Clint Bowyer, Tony Stewart, and Kevin Harvick retained third through fifth. Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch gained one position each, and Kyle Busch fell from fourth to eighth after being caught up in a multi-car accident. Chevrolet increased their unassailable lead in the Manufacturers' Championship, while Ford, Dodge and Toyota continued to occupy the remaining three places with six races left in the season. Background thumb|left|alt=Aerial photograph of Talladega Superspeedway|Talladega Superspeedway, where the race was held. The UAW-Ford 500 was the 30th of 36 scheduled stock car races of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the fourth in the ten-race season-ending Chase for the Nextel Cup. It was held on October 7, 2007, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, a superspeedway that holds NASCAR races.http://www.nascar.com/races/tracks/ NASCAR Race Tracks NASCAR https://web.archive.org/web/20101012082703/http://www.nascar.com/races/tracks/ October 12, 2010 dead January 7, 2016 mdy-all The standard track at the speedway is a four-turn 2.66 mi km on long superspeedway.NASCAR Tracks — The Talladega Superspeedway http://www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/This-Is-Talladega/Track-Facts.aspx Talladega Superspeedway Digitaria https://web.archive.org/web/20090827144403/http://www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/This-Is-Talladega/Track-Facts.aspx August 27, 2009 March 27, 2010 dead mdy-all The track's turns are banked at 33 degrees, while the front stretch, the location of the finish line, is banked at 16.5 degrees. The back stretch has a two-degree banking. Before the race, Jimmie Johnson led the Drivers' Championship with 5,506 points, with teammate Jeff Gordon second and Clint Bowyer third. Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick were fourth and fifth. Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch, Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top twelve drivers competing for the 2007 Chase for the Nextel Cup.2007 Official Driver Standings: LifeLock 400 http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/29/data/standings_official.html NASCAR March 24, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20090304132750/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/29/data/standings_official.html March 4, 2009 live mdy-all Chevrolet led the Manufacturers' Championship with 232 points, sixty ahead of Ford in second. Dodge with 147 points was 56 ahead of Toyota in fourth.2007 Manufacturers' Championship Standings http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/manu2007.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site November 25, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20080511173350/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/manu2007.htm May 11, 2008 Brian Vickers was the race's defending champion.Mulhern Mike October 5, 2007 F-1 Defectors https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-f-1-defectors-wi/197087658/ May 7, 2026 Winston-Salem Journal C7 Newspapers.com The UAW-Ford 500 marked the début of the Car of Tomorrow on a superspeedway. Teams started by using a 31/32 inch restrictor plate which was expected to increase horsepower by 75 hp on to 80 hp on. Furthermore, the wing angle was established at 10 degrees, and the wicker height was set at 1 in mm on to add drag. Further changes were determined by the performance of the cars if they reached an average speed of more than 200 mph km/h on.http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/09/24/scene_daily255.html Talladega plate size, wicker height could change September 28, 2007 NASCAR Scene https://web.archive.org/web/20071014053447/http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/09/24/scene_daily255.html October 14, 2007 dead August 4, 2018 NASCAR mandated teams to run flat side plates instead of the a curved side plate, and some cars had to make minor adjustments to pass pre-race inspection.http://espn.go.com:80/racing/nascar/news/story?seriesId=2&id=3049673 Talladega inspection process goes smoothly Newton David October 5, 2007 ESPN https://web.archive.org/web/20100115211748/http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/news/story?seriesId=2&id=3049673 January 15, 2010 dead August 4, 2018 mdy-all Nextel Cup Series Director John Darby stated NASCAR changed the wording of the regulations to provide clarity and to have a starting point in controlling top speeds, "Basically, it says we're going to start out with this size of a restrictor plate, and if everything proves out OK, we'll leave it, but the ultimate restrictor-plate size won't be determined until the conclusion of final Cup practice." Drivers spent one and a half days in mid-September testing the Car of Tomorrow at the track.http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A168666067/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=eb54ad7d NASCAR Report: New car samples Talladega Minter Rick September 14, 2007 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution August 5, 2018 E16 subscription Gale Power Search There were two changes of driver heading into the race. It was announced that open-wheel driver Jacques Villeneuve would début in the No. 27 Bill Davis Racing car five weeks earlier than planned. Villeneuve planned to compete in the ARCA Re/Max and Craftsman Truck Series races at Talladega, but was granted approval to race in the Nextel Cup Series after testing of the Car of Tomorrow at the track. Villeneuve said he was delighted to make his debut in the Nextel Cup Series: "It's perfect. I'm really happy that NASCAR has given me its approval so quickly, and having run Talladega with the Cup drivers, I'm really looking forward to it. It's a huge step in my learning process."http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/jacques-villeneuve-race-nextel-cup-jeff-gordon-opposes-move#ixzz43oNwQIQ4 Jacques Villeneuve to Race in Nextel Cup, Jeff Gordon Opposes Move September 27, 2007 Autoweek https://web.archive.org/web/20180807051607/https://autoweek.com/article/car-news/jacques-villeneuve-race-nextel-cup-jeff-gordon-opposes-move#ixzz43oNwQIQ4 August 7, 2018 live March 24, 2016 mdy-all Mike Wallace replaced his younger brother Kenny Wallace in the No. 88 Robert Yates Racing car while the team's regular driver Ricky Rudd continued to recover from a shoulder injury.https://www.modbee.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article3093719.html Mike Wallace to sub for brother at Talladega Utter Jim October 2, 2007 The Modesto Bee https://web.archive.org/web/20180807051606/https://www.modbee.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article3093719.html August 7, 2018 live August 4, 2018 mdy-all Practice and qualifying thumb|upright|Michael Waltrip (pictured in 2008) had the fourth pole position of his career. Two 60-minute practice sessions were held on the Friday before Sunday's race. Stewart set the fastest time in the first practice session with a lap of 49.118 seconds. Jeff Gordon was second-fastest. Positions three through ten were filled by Ken Schrader, Robby Gordon, Kyle Petty, Kasey Kahne, David Stremme, Martin Truex Jr., Greg Biffle, and Burton.https://www.crash.net/nascar/news/91552/1/stewart-shows-the-way-as-practice-opens Stewart shows the way as practice opens October 5, 2007 Crash https://web.archive.org/web/20180807051729/https://www.crash.net/nascar/news/91552/1/stewart-shows-the-way-as-practice-opens August 7, 2018 dead August 5, 2018 Hamlin was forbidden by NASCAR to partake in its closing minutes because he was observed bump-drafting other cars. Darby explained that Hamlin was the most aggressive driver out of all those cautioned by NASCAR.http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/10/01/scene_daily350.html Hamlin parked for bump-drafting in practice October 5, 2007 NASCAR Scene https://web.archive.org/web/20071013183838/http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/10/01/scene_daily350.html October 13, 2007 dead August 5, 2018 Later that day, Stewart led the second practice session with a lap of 49.347 seconds; Paul Menard was 0.045 seconds slower in second. Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Jamie McMurray, Truex, Burton, Jeff Green, Tony Raines, and Johnny Sauter were in positions three through ten.http://www.nascar.com:80/2007/news/headlines/cup/10/05/talladega.happy.hour/index.html Drivers feel COT may lead to more accidents at 'Dega Aumann Mark October 5, 2007 NASCAR https://web.archive.org/web/20071011085612/http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/10/05/talladega.happy.hour/index.html October 11, 2007 dead August 5, 2018 mdy-all After practice, drivers complained of hindered visibility at the front of the car, due to a larger cockpit and spoiler. They felt this had the potential to cause a multi-car accident, and were worried about the possibility of getting airborne if they were hit by other drivers.http://www.speedtv.com:80/articles/nascar/nextel/40812/ CUP: Drivers Uptight Over COT Jensen Tom October 5, 2007 Speed https://web.archive.org/web/20071206015904/http://www.speedtv.com/articles/nascar/nextel/40812/ December 6, 2007 dead August 5, 2018 mdy-all Fifty-one cars were entered in the qualifier on Saturday afternoon, according to NASCAR's qualifying procedure, forty-three were allowed to race. Each driver ran two laps, with the starting order determined by the competitor's fastest times. Toyotas took five of the first six spots, as Michael Waltrip clinched the fourth pole position of his career, and his first since the 2005 Pocono 500, with a time of 50.648 seconds.https://www.modbee.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article3094021.html Waltrip wins Talladega pole on a good day for the Toyota camp Poole David October 6, 2007 The Modesto Bee August 5, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180807051836/https://www.modbee.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article3094021.html August 7, 2018 live He was joined on the grid's front row by Dave Blaney whose lap was 0.062 seconds slower. Vickers qualified in third. Fourth was Joe Nemechek, and David Reutimann fifth. The next three spots on the grid was composed of drivers who were required to qualify on time or risk missing the race: Villeneuve, John Andretti, and Bobby Labonte. Kahne and Elliott Sadler completed the top ten. Of the drivers in the chase, Stewart started 11th, Truex 13th, Hamlin 18th, and Johnson 19th. The eight drivers who failed to qualify were A. J. Allmendinger, Boris Said, Scott Riggs, Sam Hornish Jr., Jeremy Mayfield, Sterling Marlin, Ward Burton and Kevin Lepage.http://www.autosport.com:80/news/report.php/id/63098 Waltrip on Cup pole, Villeneuve sixth Meija Diego October 6, 2007 Autosport https://web.archive.org/web/20071011090258/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63098 October 11, 2007 live August 5, 2018 mdy-all Kurt Busch and David Ragan's cars were found to be too low at the front during post-qualifying inspection, and were mandated to start at the back of the field.http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/10/01/scene_daily366.html Waltrip wins pole; Kurt Busch, Ragan fail inspection October 7, 2007 NASCAR Scene https://web.archive.org/web/20071014001042/http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/10/01/scene_daily366.html October 14, 2007 dead August 5, 2018 Afterward, Waltrip said, "I felt confident yesterday that we would make the race. Our qualifying lap was faster than what we ran in practice. If I only had to worry about my car, I would've been happier." Qualifying results Grid Starting position No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Time in seconds Speed Speed in MPH 1 55 Michael Waltrip Michael Waltrip RacingToyota50:648189.070 2 22Dave BlaneyBill Davis RacingToyota 50:710188.839 3 83Brian VickersRed Bull Racing TeamToyota 50.726188.779 4 78Joe NemechekFurniture Row RacingChevrolet 50.809188.471 5 00David ReutimannMichael Waltrip Racing Toyota 50.812188.459 6 27Jacques Villeneuve Bill Davis Racing Toyota 50.878188.215 7 49John AndrettiBAM RacingDodge 50.991187.798 8 43Bobby LabontePetty Enterprises Dodge 51.131187.284 9 9Kasey KahneEvernham Motorsports Dodge 51.138187.258 10 19Elliott SadlerEvernham Motorsports Dodge 51.176187.119 11 20Tony StewartJoe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 51.193187.057 12 45Kyle PettyPetty Enterprises Dodge 51.256186.827 13 1Martin Truex Jr.Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet 51.259186.816 14 96Tony RainesHall of Fame Racing Chevrolet 51.274186.761 15 88Mike WallaceRobert Yates RacingFord 51.293186.692 16 12Ryan NewmanPenske Racing South Dodge 51.301186.663 17 18J. J. YeleyJoe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet51.355186.467 18 11Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet 51.428186.202 19 48Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet51.447186.133 20 16Greg BiffleRoush Fenway Racing Ford 51.480186.014 21 31Jeff BurtonRichard Childress Racing Chevrolet 51.496185.956 22 42Juan Pablo MontoyaChip Ganassi RacingDodge 51.501185.938 23 07Clint BowyerRichard Childress Racing Chevrolet51.532185.826 24 7Robby GordonRobby Gordon Motorsports Ford 51.540185.797 25 17Matt KensethRoush Fenway Racing Ford 51.544185.783 26 8Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet51.544185.783 27 38David Gilliland Robert Yates Racing Ford 51.560185.725 28 41Reed SorensonChip Ganassi Racing Dodge 51.588185.625 29 25Casey MearsHendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 51.611185.5421 30 15Paul MenardDale Earnhardt Inc.Chevrolet 51.633185.463 31 99Carl EdwardsRoush Fenway Racing Ford 51.672185.323 32 66Jeff GreenHaas CNC Racing Chevrolet51.703185.212 33 40David StremmeChip Ganassi Racing Dodge 51.745185.061 34 24Jeff GordonHendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 51.748185.0512 35 26Jamie McMurrayRoush Fenway Racing Ford 51.785184.91812 36 5Kyle BuschHendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 51.793184.8902 37 29Kevin HarvickRichard Childress Racing Chevrolet51.839184.7262 38 01Aric AlmirolaDale Earnhardt Inc Chevrolet51.867184.6262 39 70Johnny SauterHaas CNC RacingChevrolet51.880184.5802 40 21Ken SchraderWood Brothers Racing Ford51.989184.1932 41 2Kurt BuschPenske Racing South Dodge51.369186.41623 42 6David Ragan Roush Fenway Racing Ford51.691185.25523 43 44Dale JarrettMichael Waltrip Racing Toyota 51.029187.658Failed to qualify 44 84A. J. AllmendingerRed Bull Racing Team Toyota 51.046187.596 45 60Boris SaidNo Fear Racing Ford 51.093187.423 46 10Scott RiggsEvernham Motorsports Dodge51.119187.328 47 06Sam Hornish Jr. Penske Racing South Dodge51.137187.262 48 36Jeremy MayfieldBill Davis Racing Toyota 51.173187.130 49 09Sterling MarlinPhoenix Racing Chevrolet51.292186.696 50 4Ward BurtonMorgan–McClure Motorsports Chevrolet 51.494185.963 51 37Kevin LepageFront Row Motorsports Dodge 51.549185.765Sources:Race Lineup http://www.nascar.com:80/races/cup/2007/30/data/lineup.html NASCAR August 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20071009235412/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/30/data/lineup.html October 9, 2007 dead mdy-allQualifying times: UAW-Ford 500 https://www.crash.net/nascar/results/91556/1/qualifying-times-uaw-ford-500 Crash October 7, 2007 October 15, 20202007 Nascar Cup Series UAW-Ford 500 Entry List https://results.motorsportstats.com/results/2007-uaw-ford-500 Motorsport Stats October 15, 20201 Moved to the back of the field for changing engines (#26) and for adjusting his car (#25)2 Grid position set by owner points3 Driver was demoted positions for failing post-qualifying inspection Race Live television coverage of the race on ABC began at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Around the start of the race, weather conditions were mostly sunny with the air temperature at 89 F C on; a ten percent chance of rain was forecast. A moment of silence was held in honor of former NASCAR president Bill France Jr. Frank Stark of Raceway Ministries began pre-race ceremonies with an invocation. Miss University of Alabama Stephanie Shelton performed the national anthem, and Dave Sparks, an employee of the race's sponsor, commanded the drivers to start their engines. During the pace laps, McMurray moved to the rear of the field because he changed his engine, and Casey Mears did the same for illegal adjustments to his car.http://nascar.com:80/2007/races/lapbylap/10/07/lap.by.lap.talladega2/story_single.html Lap-by-Lap: Talladega October 8, 2007 NASCAR https://web.archive.org/web/20071011093117/http://nascar.com/2007/races/lapbylap/10/07/lap.by.lap.talladega2/story_single.html October 11, 2007 dead August 4, 2018 mdy-all left|thumb|upright|Denny Hamlin led more laps than any other driver, 40. The race started at 2:21 p.m. Waltrip led the pack on the run to the first corner, but Blaney got ahead of him to take the first position at the end of the first lap. On lap two, Labonte made it three-abreast going to the finish line, and took the lead, before losing it to Vickers on the following lap. Waltrip steered right to reclaim first place on lap four, and held it for the next lap when Labonte returned to the head of the pack. The sixth lap had Robby Gordon pushed by other cars to become the new leader, which he retained until Vickers returned to the front on lap nine. In the meantime, Hamlin moved from eighteenth to fourth. He took the lead for the first time with assistance from Andretti on lap 12. The first caution was necessitated on lap 17 as Andretti's right-front tire blew, removing one of his car's fenders, and scattering debris on the track. Most of the leaders, including Hamlin, made pit stops for fuel, tires and car adjustments. Petty led the field for one lap before making his stop on the 20th lap, and Johnson was the leader on the next lap before doing the same. Hamlin led the field back up to speed at the lap-22 restart, and was followed by Kahne, Truex, and Sadler. Three laps later, Harvick provided Sadler assistance to claim the lead on the left lane. However, Sadler lost the lead to Hamlin on lap 27, as some competitors created three-abreast racing by forming a middle lane. The outside lane was used by Truex to gain first place on lap 30. Dale Earnhardt Jr. moved to the lead on the 31st lap. He maintained it for the next 27 laps as the first round of green flag pit stops commenced. After the pit stops, Hamlin regained the lead. On lap 63, David Gilliland collided with Biffle at turn four, causing Biffle to spin sideways. Biffle's front-left tire went flat, and the front of Gilliland's vehicle sustained light damage. The second caution was waved to restore order. Some cars in the middle of the pack went down pit road to stop for fuel and tires. Gilliland's mechanics made repairs to his car. The race restarted on lap 67 as Hamlin led Stewart and Kyle Busch in a single file line. Waltrip returned to the lead on lap 88, as Reutimann got into second by joining the pack of cars on the bottom line. Reutimann passed Waltrip for first on the following lap. On lap 91, Earnhardt led once again by driving on the outside lane. Two laps later, Jeff Burton's engine failed, laying oil and debris on the track, and calling for the race's third caution as he returned to pit road to retire. Pit stops for fuel and tires were made by several drivers during the caution. Waltrip led the restarted race on lap 96. He held it until Hamlin took it as the lead group of cars went three-abreast on lap 98. Stewart became the leader for the first time by driving on the outside lane one lap later. Three abreast-racing temporarily ended on lap 101, as the main pack of cars fell into a single line behind Stewart. Sadler took the lead with assistance from Kahne on the inside line on the 109th lap. Four laps later, Truex's engine blew, leaving oil on the track, and requiring a fourth caution. Most drivers, including Sadler, elected to make pit stops for fuel and tires under the caution period. Bowyer and Sadler each led for one lap before making their pit stops. Sadler returned to the lead for the restart on lap 116 as the pack formed into one single file. On lap 132, Villeneuve scraped the wall alongside the track, but he continued without significant damage. Labonte received assistance from Stewart to move past Sadler for the lead on the 133rd lap. On the following lap, Stewart took the lead for himself. Vickers passed Stewart on the outside to claim the first position on lap 135. Lap 136 saw the race's fifth caution: Earnhardt's laid oil on the track after his engine failed. Dale Jarrett attempted to avoid other cars, but he sustained damage to the front-right corner of his car, stopping on the apron. Vickers and the rest of the leaders chose to make pit stops for fuel and tires while the caution was out. Sauter won the race off pit road, and led at the lap 140 restart. Jeff Gordon was required to drive down pit road as soon as the race resumed for a team equipment penalty in his pit stall. thumb|Labonte lost control on lap 145, causing a "Big One"|left The main pack of cars again formed a single line as Stewart returned to first place on the 141st lap. On lap 145, a multi-car accident prompted the sixth caution. Labonte lost control of his car in turn four, and slid down into Kyle Busch. He then ricocheted into Robby Gordon, Reutimann slid as Ragan had no space to negotiate through and ran into him. Other drivers involved in the collision were McMurray, Kenseth, Menard, Stremme, Vickers and Hamlin. Most drivers, including Stewart, made pit stops for fuel to allow them to complete the race. Raines led the field at the restart on lap 150, On the next lap, Ryan Newman received assistance from his teammate Kurt Busch to take the lead. Stewart overtook Newman to retake first on lap 152. The seventh caution was waved one lap later for Schrader whose right-front tire blew, causing him to clout the turn four wall.thumb|Jamie McMurray sliding up the racetrack, wrecking out of the event on lap 145.Stewart kept the lead at the lap-156 restart. Another six laps passed until the eighth caution was called for, when Petty's tire blew and he crashed into the turn three wall. As with the previous restart, Stewart maintained the lead on lap 166. Blaney and Johnson formed a bottom line of around seven cars in an attempt to gain on Stewart. However, the top five of Stewart, Newman, Kurt Busch, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Kahne temporarily split from the rest of the pack by the 173rd lap. This was the case until the next lap when Stewart tried to block on both lanes, but Newman found a way past him to reclaim the lead. On lap 176, the ninth (and final) caution was waved as Waltrip's right-front tire blew in turn one. He clipped the rear of Sadler's car, and then clouted a wall; Sadler spun and collected Biffle and Raines.http://nascar.com:80/2007/news/opinion/10/08/jmenzer.weekend.that.was.talladega/story_single.html Weekend That Was: 'Dega Menzer Joe October 11, 2007 NASCAR https://web.archive.org/web/20071011085732/http://nascar.com/2007/news/opinion/10/08/jmenzer.weekend.that.was.talladega/story_single.html October 11, 2007 dead August 6, 2018 mdy-all Newman led the field at the restart on lap 180 with Busch second and Montoya third. Stewart turned onto the bottom lane so he could try and establish a second line of cars This proved successful as the Hendrick Motorsports duo of Johnson and Jeff Gordon were on the bottom lane, and caught Newman on the 182nd lap. thumb|upright|Jeff Gordon (pictured in 2009) led the final lap of the race to claim his fifth victory of the season and the 80th of his career. Newman lost the lead to Johnson on the following lap. Stewart tried to pass Johnson on lap 184, but could not do so as no other driver steered to the middle lane to provide him with assistance. The right lane had Newman and his teammate Kurt Busch driving on it. The two caught Johnson and his teammate Jeff Gordon on the 185th lap. Stewart linked up with Busch and Newman the lap after, and went to the outside with Jeff Gordon and Johnson remaining on the inside. On the final lap, Jeff Gordon turned right, and got in between his teammate Johnson and Newman and Kurt Busch. As Johnson went to block his teammate, Stewart bump-drafted Jeff Gordon to give the latter the lead, which he held to clinch his fifth victory of the season, the 80th of his career, and a season sweep of victories at Talladega Superspeedway.https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/sports/08iht-8nascar.7797979.html NASCAR: Gordon wins UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega, Alabama October 8, 2007 The New York Times August 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180807051606/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/sports/08iht-8nascar.7797979.html August 7, 2018 live mdy-allhttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-oct-08-sp-nascar8-story.html Gordon, Johnson save their best for last at Talladega Hinton Ed Ed Hinton (sportswriter) October 8, 2007 Los Angeles Times August 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20151027042755/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/oct/08/sports/sp-nascar8 October 27, 2015 live mdy-allhttps://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=blount_terry&id=3053564&seriesId=2 Gordon's patient approach earns sixth Talladega victory Blount Terry October 8, 2007 ESPN https://web.archive.org/web/20180807052042/http://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?columnist=blount_terry&id=3053564&seriesId=2 August 7, 2018 live August 6, 2018 He also took his sixth win at Talladega Superspeedway, and surpassed Dale Earnhardt to become the new all-time wins leader at restrictor-plate tracks with twelve.http://www.autosport.com:80/news/report.php/id/63146 Gordon edges Johnson at Talladega Meija Diego October 8, 2007 Autosport https://web.archive.org/web/20071011083606/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63146 October 11, 2007 live August 6, 2018 mdy-all Johnson finished second, with Blaney third, Hamlin fourth and Newman fifth. Mears, Kurt Busch, Stewart, Raines and Reed Sorenson completed the top ten. The race had a total of nine cautions and 42 lead changes by 22 different drivers. Hamlin led five times for a total of 40 laps, more than any other competitor. Post-race comments Jeff Gordon appeared in Victory Lane after his victory lap to celebrate his fifth win of the season in front of the crowd of 155,000 people; the win earned him $246,036. He called it "the hardest three-quarters of a race that I've ever had to run before," after qualifying was influential in determining his strategy for the race, "We avoided the wrecks and all of a sudden found ourselves in the top 15 with about 25–30 to go, and we held on there. What I don't understand is how I got by my teammate. I got a couple of pushes. When it got three-wide, I thought, 'This is my opportunity.' Luckily when I got high, and Jimmie tried to block me, the 20 was there and had nowhere to go. He's the one who pushed me to the front." Johnson said his second-place finish was not something he was happy with since he was passed by his teammate, "To get that close and not win is a letdown. There must have been stuff going on behind me that I couldn't see, but Jeff could in his mirror, and he pulled up and got in front of the 20 [Stewart] and was able to take advantage of that push."https://newspaperarchive.com/xenia-daily-gazette-oct-08-2007-p-18/ Gordon wins at Talladega to become career restrictor-plate leader Fryer Jenna October 8, 2007 Xenia Daily Gazette August 6, 2018 Associated Press 2B NewspaperArchive Third-placed Blaney revealed his team's objective was to preserve his car and return to the top 35 in points, "I didn't want to do anything to put it in harm's way. I was way more cautious than I probably wanted to be. I just got with the right group of cars there at the end." Reaction to the Car of Tomorrow's debut at a superspeedway was negative. Newman stated his feeling that the racing "not very good" as he observed the single file driving, which he felt was not racing to him, "I hope it wasn't what NASCAR intended with this car. I'm not complaining about the car because the old car did relatively the same thing. We gotta do something where we can race a little bit. I mean I was driving around with one hand running 15th just riding, on and off the gas. It's not racing. If we're going to do that why don't we just make it a 100-mile race and we'll tear them all up in the first 50?"http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/10/08/scene_daily385.html Newman: Racing at 'Dega in COT was 'disappointing' White Rea October 14, 2007 NASCAR Scene https://web.archive.org/web/20071014103350/http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2007/10/08/scene_daily385.html October 14, 2007 dead August 6, 2018 Jeff Gordon spoke of how boredom affected him during the race, and called for more work on the car to prevent single-file racing, "I think we would never race like that if we didn't have the closing rate that we have, and [with] the bump-drafting being so drastic that I think we need to make some adjustments here."http://www.nascar.com:80/2007/news/headlines/cup/10/07/cot.post.race.talladega.ap/index.html COT promotes mostly dull big-track debut at 'Dega Harris Mike October 8, 2007 NASCAR August 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20071011004511/http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/10/07/cot.post.race.talladega.ap/index.html October 11, 2007 dead Associated Press mdy-all Kenseth said his strategy was to run at the rear of the pack, and believed spectators did not want to see that, adding, "We rode around for about 350–400 miles and then sooner or later you've got to go race and try to get a partner up there and see how your car is gonna handle. When we decided to go up there, we got up to the third or fourth row on the inside and then the leader wrecked. When the leader wrecks, there's not a whole lot you can do to miss it."http://www.speedtv.com:80/articles/nascar/nextel/40864/ CUP: Sunday Talladega Notebook Jensen Tom October 7, 2007 Speed 1 https://web.archive.org/web/20071011020206/http://www.speedtv.com/articles/nascar/nextel/40864/ October 11, 2007 dead August 6, 2018 mdy-all Two days after the race, Chip Ganassi Racing was given penalties for Sorenson's car. The penalties for "actions detrimental to stock car racing"; "car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules" and for the front of the car failing to meet the minimum ride height restrictions as imposed by the regulations for the Car of Tomorrow during post-race inspection, included a $25,000 fine for crew chief Jimmy Elledge, who was placed on probation until December 31, 2007. Team owner Chip Ganassi and Sorenson were penalized 25 points in the Owners and Drivers' Championships.Sorenson, team penalized for rule violations at 'Dega October 9, 2007 NASCAR http://www.nascar.com:80/2007/news/headlines/cup/10/09/rsorenson.jelledge.penalty/index.html October 18, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071018210032/http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/10/09/rsorenson.jelledge.penalty/index.html October 18, 2007 mdy-all The result gave Jeff Gordon a six-point lead over teammate Johnson in the Drivers' Championship. Bowyer, Stewart and Harvick stayed in positions third through fifth. Edwards and Kurt Busch advanced to sixth and seventh, while Kyle Busch, Hamlin, and Truex completed out the top ten placings. In the Manufacturers' Championship, Chevrolet (with 271 points) increased its unassailable lead. Ford maintained second with 175 points, Dodge stayed in third with 149 points, and Toyota retained fourth with 97 points with six races left in the season. The race took three hours, 29 minutes and 11 seconds to complete, and the margin of victory was 0.066 seconds. Race results Pos. Finishing position Grid Starting position No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Laps completed Points 134 24 Jeff Gordon 1 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 1881901 2 19 48 Jimmie Johnson 1Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 1881751 3 2 22 Dave Blaney 1 Bill Davis Racing Toyota 1881701 4 18 11 Denny Hamlin 1 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 1881702 5 16 12 Ryan Newman 1 Penske Racing South Dodge 1881601 6 29 25 Casey Mears 1 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 188150 7 41 2 Kurt Busch 1Penske Racing South Dodge 188146 8 11 20 Tony Stewart 1 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 1881471 9 14 96 Tony Raines 1 Hall of Fame Racing Chevrolet 1881431 10 28 41 Reed Sorenson 1 Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 1881093 11 23 07 Clint Bowyer 1 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 1881351 12 39 70 Johnny Sauter 1 Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet 1881321 13 32 66 Jeff Green 1 Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet 1881291 14 31 99 Carl Edwards 1 Roush Fenway Racing Ford 188121 15 22 42 Juan Pablo Montoya 1 Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 188118 16 9 9Kasey Kahne 1 Evernham Motorsports Dodge 188115 17 33 40 David Stremme 1 Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 1881171 18 17 18 J. J. Yeley 1 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 188109 19 15 88 Mike Wallace 1 Robert Yates Racing Ford 188106 20 37 29 Kevin Harvick 1 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 1881031 21 6 27Jacques Villeneuve 1 Bill Davis Racing Toyota 188100 22 5 00 David Reutimann 1 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 1791021 23 20 16 Greg Biffle 1 Roush Fenway Racing Ford 17694 24 10 19 Elliott Sadler 1 Evernham Motorsports Dodge 175961 25 1 55 Michael Waltrip 1Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 175931 26 25 17 Matt Kenseth 1Roush Fenway RacingFord 17185 27 27 38 David Gilliland 1 Robert Yates RacingFord 16782 28 12 45 Kyle Petty 1 Petty Enterprises Dodge 161841 29 24 7 Robby Gordon 1Robby Gordon Motorsports Ford 161811 30 38 01 Aric Almirola 1 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet 15673 31 40 21 Ken Schrader 1 Wood Brothers Racing Ford 15270 32 4 78 Joe Nemechek 1 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet 14967 33 7 49 John Andretti 1 BAM Racing Dodge 14964 34 42 6 David Ragan 1 Roush Fenway Racing Ford 14661 35 8 43 Bobby Labonte 1 Petty Enterprises Dodge 144581 36 36 5 Kyle Busch 1 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 144601 37 35 26 Jamie McMurray 1 Roush Fenway Racing Ford 14452 38 30 15 Paul Menard 1 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet 14449 39 3 83 Brian Vickers 1 Red Bull Racing Team Toyota 144511 40 26 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet 136481 41 43 44 Dale Jarrett 1 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 13640 42 13 1 Martin Truex Jr. 1Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet 113421 43 21 31 Jeff Burton 1 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 9134Sources:Talladega Superspeedway UAW-Ford 500 October 7, 2007 http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/results/30tss2007results.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site October 15, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20071025130838/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/results/30tss2007results.htm October 25, 2007 dead2007 Nascar Cup Series UAW-Ford 500 Race https://results.motorsportstats.com/results/2007-uaw-ford-500/classification Motorsport Stats October 15, 2020Race Result: UAW-Ford 500 https://www.crash.net/nascar/results/91562/1/race-result-uaw-ford-500 Crash October 7, 2007 October 15, 2020 October 17, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201017070444/https://www.crash.net/nascar/results/91562/1/race-result-uaw-ford-500 dead1 Includes five bonus points for leading a lap2 Includes ten bonus points for leading the most laps3 Includes a 25-point post-race penalty Standings after the race Drivers' Championship standings Pos Position +/– Driver Points 1 10px 1 Jeff Gordon 5,690 2 10px 1 Jimmie Johnson 5,681 (−9) 3 10px Clint Bowyer 5,627 (−63) 4 10px Tony Stewart 5,536 (−152) 5 10px Kevin Harvick 5,488 (−202) 6 10px 1 Carl Edwards 5,485 (−205) 7 10px 1 Kurt Busch 5,475 (−215) 8 10px 2 Kyle Busch 5,430 (−260) 9 10px 3 Denny Hamlin 5,428 (−262) 10 10px 2 Martin Truex Jr. 5,390 (−300) 11 10px Matt Kenseth 5,372 (−318) 12 10px 2 Jeff Burton 5,354 (−336)Sources: Manufacturers' Championship standings Pos Position +/– Manufacturer Points 1 10px Chevrolet 271 2 10px Ford 175 (−94) 3 10px Dodge 149 (−122) 4 10px Toyota 97 (−174)Source: Note: Only the top twelve positions are included for the driver standings. These drivers qualified for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. References 30em Nextel Cup Series 2007 2007 LifeLock 400 2007 Bank of America 500 United States Sports UAW-Ford 500 UAW-Ford 500 Category:NASCAR races at Talladega Superspeedway Category:October 2007 sports events in the United States