2007 Toyota/Save Mart 350

February 2025 NASNEX Race 16 of 36 in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season Toyota/Save Mart 350 The Race: The Toyota/Save Mart 350 http://www.jayski.com/next/2007/16sonoma2007.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures January 25, 2016 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160401001414/http://www.jayski.com/next/2007/16sonoma2007.htm April 1, 20162007 Toyota / Save Mart 350 http://www.racing-reference.info/race/2007_Toyota_Save_Mart_350/W Racing-Reference USA Today Media Sports Group January 25, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20220606025949/http://www.racing-reference.info/race/2007-16/W June 6, 2022 dead 2007 06 24 2007 16 36 Infineon (Sears Point) with emphasis on NASCAR track.svg Track as used by NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, California 1.99 3.202 110 218.9 352.285 Warm with temperatures approaching 84 F C; wind speeds up to 17.1 mph km/h 74.547 mi/h Jamie McMurray Roush Fenway Racing 77.521 Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports 48 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Chip Ganassi Racing Turner Network Television Bill Weber, Kyle Petty, Wally Dallenbach Jr. 4.7 (Final) 4.0 (Overnight) (6.5 million)2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup TV Ratings http://www.jayski.com/pages/tvratings2010.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures December 27, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20101201140154/http://jayski.com/pages/tvratings2010.htm December 1, 2010 Performance Racing Network The 2007 Toyota/Save Mart 350 was the sixteenth stock car race of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the first of the season's two road course events. It was held on June 24, 2007, at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California before a crowd of 102,000. The 110-lap race was won by Juan Pablo Montoya of the Chip Ganassi Racing team who started from thirty-second position. Kevin Harvick finished second and his Richard Childress Racing teammate Jeff Burton came in third. Although Jamie McMurray won the pole position, he was passed by Robby Gordon on the first lap. Gordon held the position until the first round of green-flag pit stops, and Carl Edwards took over the first position. He held it for twelve laps until Gordon got ahead of Edwards. At the race's final restart on lap 70, Tony Stewart took over the lead when he passed Gordon, but ceded it to McMurray after Stewart made a pit stop. McMurray slowed on lap 97 as he attempted to conserve fuel which allowed Montoya to close the gap. Montoya got ahead of McMurray for the lead after a seven-lap battle and held it to win the race. There were seven cautions and eleven lead changes by eight drivers. It was Montoya's first win in the Nextel Cup Series, and became the first foreign driver since Earl Ross in 1974 to win in the series. After the race Jeff Gordon's lead in the Drivers' Championship was reduced because he, along with his teammate Jimmie Johnson, were penalized for a car infringement. Chevrolet maintained its lead in the Manufacturers' Championship, 49 points ahead of their nearest rival Ford with twenty races remaining in the season. The race attracted 6.5 million television viewers. Background thumb|left|Infineon Raceway, where the race was held. The 2007 Toyota/Save Mart 350 was the sixteenth of thirty-six scheduled stock car races of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. It took place on June 24, 2007, in Sonoma, California, at Infineon Raceway, one of two road courses to hold NASCAR races, the other is Watkins Glen International.http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/road-course-races-measure-competitive-ability-061710 Road course races challenge the specialsts White Rea 18 June 2010 Fox Sports June 18, 2012 live https://web.archive.org/web/20100725162113/http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/road-course-races-measure-competitive-ability-061710 25 July 2010 The standard road course at Infineon Raceway is a twelve-turn course that is 2.52 mi km long;http://www.gt-racing.co.uk/circuits/northamerica/searspoint.html Sears Point gt-racing.co.uk https://web.archive.org/web/20031110080927/http://www.gt-racing.co.uk/circuits/northamerica/searspoint.html November 10, 2003 live June 18, 2012 the track was modified in 1998, adding the Chute, which bypassed turns five and six, shortening the course to 1.95 mi km. The Chute was only used for NASCAR events such as this race, and was criticized by many drivers, who preferred the full layout.Passing is tough in Chute http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/06/28/oth_232051.shtml The Augusta Chronicle June 18, 2012 28 June 1998 live https://web.archive.org/web/20110607182441/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/06/28/oth_232051.shtml 7 June 2011 In 2001, it was replaced with a 70-degree turn, 4A, bringing the track to its current dimensions of 1.99 mi km.http://www.racingwest.com/news/story.php3/2094/index.htm Sears Point Breaks Ground On Modified Chute SPR Media Relations RacingWest https://archive.today/20110807144940/http://www.racingwest.com/news/articles/2094-sears-point-breaks-ground-on-modified-chute.html August 7, 2011 dead January 8, 2017 Before the race, Jeff Gordon led the Drivers' Championship with 2,392 points, with Denny Hamlin in second and Jimmie Johnson third. Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton were fourth and fifth, and Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top twelve.http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/15/data/standings_official.html 2007 Official Driver Standings: Citizens Bank 400 Turner Sports Interactive NASCAR January 25, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20070629022623/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/15/data/standings_official.html June 29, 2007 Chevrolet led the Manufacturers' Championship with 129 points, 47 ahead of their nearest rival Ford in second. Dodge was third on 73 points, and Toyota was fourth on 47.http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/manu2007.htm 2007 Manufacturers' Championship Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures https://web.archive.org/web/20080511173350/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/manu2007.htm May 11, 2008 April 8, 2016 Jeff Gordon was the race's defending champion.http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/No-learning-curve-for-this-rookie-After-winning-2555183.php No learning curve for this rookie / After winning seven Formula One races, Montoya knows his way around road course Adams Bruce June 21, 2007 San Francisco Chronicle April 8, 2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160423015225/http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/No-learning-curve-for-this-rookie-After-winning-2555183.php April 23, 2016 Several teams chose to temporarily replace their regular drivers with road course ringers. Michael Waltrip Racing replaced Michael Waltrip and David Reutimann with two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion Terry Labonte and the 1993 24 Hours of Daytona winner P. J. Jones. BAM Racing chose to replace Mike Bliss (who was competing at The Milwaukee Mile) with the 2005 Trans-Am Series champion Klaus Graf, while Hall of Fame Racing replaced Tony Raines with endurance driver Ron Fellows. Former SCCA Trans-Am champion Brian Simo was selected by Front Row Motorsports to drive the No. 37 Dodge, while American Le Mans Series and Busch Series East race winner Butch Leitzinger was selected to replace Bill Davis Racing driver Jeremy Mayfield.http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/06/22/rfellows.pjones.sonoma.specialists/story_single.html Road specialists eager for NASCAR race at Infineon Rodman Dave June 22, 2007 NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20070701095255/http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/06/22/rfellows.pjones.sonoma.specialists/story_single.html#page2 July 1, 2007 April 8, 2016 Brandon Ash attempted to qualify in his self-owned No. 02 car, and endurance racing driver Marc Goossens was entered in the No. 91 Riley-D'Hondt Motorsports Toyota. Scott Pruett announced he would not participate for the Chip Ganassi Racing team due to a scheduling conflict; Former V8 Supercars champion Marcos Ambrose, who was scheduled to drive the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing car withdrew. Rookie of the Year competitor Juan Pablo Montoya made his NASCAR début on a road course after leaving Formula One in 2006, and was considered by several drivers to be a contender to win the race despite no previous experience of driving at Infineon Raceway. Montoya said he hoped to have a chance of winning, and expected his main rival to be Jeff Gordon. After he finished with a top-ten at the previous round (the Citizen Bank 400) Jamie McMurray hoped to continue his momentum into Sonona, and move up in the Drivers' Championship standings.http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/sears-point-jamie-mcmurray-preview-2007-06-22/?s=1 Sears Point: Jamie McMurray preview June 22, 2007 motorsport.com April 9, 2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160428025311/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/sears-point-jamie-mcmurray-preview-2007-06-22/?s=1 April 28, 2016 Practice and qualifying thumb|right|upright|Jamie McMurray had the third pole position of his career. Three practice sessions were held before the Sunday race: one on Friday and two on Saturday. The first session lasted 90 minutes, the second 50 minutes and the third 60 minutes. Gordon and Johnson were prohibited from competing in the first practice session and Friday's qualifier because their right-front fenders were deemed too wide by race officials during a pre-event inspection, and both drivers were required to start at the rear of the field for the race.Blount Terry Gordon, Johnson pulled from practice, qualifying https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?seriesId=2&id=2913185 ESPN ESPN Internet Ventures June 23, 2007 January 25, 2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160407182355/http://espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=2&id=2913185 April 7, 2016 Bobby Labonte was fastest in the first practice session with a time of 77.539 seconds; Robby Gordon was second and Kurt Busch third. Stewart took fourth position, and McMurray placed fifth. Fellows, Edwards, Ryan Newman, Harvick and Kasey Kahne rounded out the session's top-ten fastest drivers.Sears Point: Practice 1 times http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/sears-point-practice-1-times-2007-06-23/ motorsport.com June 23, 2007 April 9, 2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160428025041/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/sears-point-practice-1-times-2007-06-23/ April 28, 2016 Said, Dave Blaney and Stewart went off the track but continued. Fifty-two drivers were entered in the qualifier on Friday evening;http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=5&RaceID=1051&StatType=Entry+List Entry List Motor Racing Network International Speedway Corporation https://web.archive.org/web/20160419030929/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=5&RaceID=1051&StatType=Entry+List April 19, 2016 dead April 8, 2016 mdy-all due 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. McMurray clinched the third pole position of his career, and his first since the 2005 Pennsylvania 500, with a time of 77.521 seconds. He had an advantage because he recorded his lap when weather conditions were cooler. McMurray was joined on the grid's front row by Robby Gordon and had the pole position until McMurray's lap. Earnhardt qualified third, Said fourth and Stewart started fifth. Burton, Bill Elliott, Kahne, Newman and Bowyer rounded out the top ten qualifiers. The nine drivers who failed to qualify were Ward Burton, Scott Riggs, Ash, Paul Menard, Brian Vickers, A. J. Allmendinger, Simo, Kenny Wallace and Graf.http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2007-06-22-sonoma-pole_N.htm McMurray wins first pole for two years June 24, 2007 USA Today Gannett Company Associated Press https://web.archive.org/web/20160408154834/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2007-06-22-sonoma-pole_N.htm April 8, 2016 April 8, 2016 After the qualifier McMurray said that he was slightly nervous and felt another driver could record a faster lap time, "I definitely felt with Juan and Ryan going out later, I would definitely get beat. I kept telling everybody that. My heart was definitely beating faster this morning when I got up, looking forward to this." On Saturday afternoon in cool weather conditions Montoya was fastest in the second practice session with a lap of 77.591 seconds, ahead of Harvick and Jeff Gordon. Stewart was fourth-fastest; Fellows was fifth and Kyle Busch sixth. Kahne, Elliott Sadler, Bobby Labonte and Edwards followed in the top ten.http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/06/23/jgordon.jmontoya.happy.hour/index.html Montoya, Hendrick cars rebound in Sat. practices Rodman Dave June 23, 2007 NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive 1 https://web.archive.org/web/20070628224721/http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/06/23/jgordon.jmontoya.happy.hour/index.html June 28, 2007 April 8, 2016 David Ragan stalled after he spun. Afterward, Edwards and Ragan left the track and flew to Milwaukee Mile to participate in the AT&T 250 Busch Series race; both drivers returned to Sonoma after the race's completion. Later that day, Hamlin paced the final practice session with a time of 78.219; Stewart was second and Robby Gordon third. Harvick was fourth-fastest, ahead of Sadler and Newman. Fellows was seventh-fastest, McMurray eighth, Johnson ninth and Jeff Gordon tenth. Hamlin was afflicted with an electrical issue which was corrected after his team installed a new distributor. J. J. Yeley damaged his car's sheet metal structure in an accident at turn ten, while Jeff Gordon spun and hit the turn eleven tire barrier and sustained minor damage. Dale Jarrett and Kyle Busch both went off track but did not damage their cars. Qualifying results Grid Car Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Time in seconds Speed Speed in MPH 126Jamie McMurrayRoush Fenway RacingFord77.52192.414 27Robby GordonRobby Gordon MotorsportsFord77.53392.399 38Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet77.54692.384 460Boris SaidNo Fear RacingFord77.60692.312 520Tony StewartJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet77.64892.262 631Jeff BurtonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet77.65292.258 721Bill ElliottWood Brothers RacingFord77.69892.203 89Kasey KahneEvernham MotorsportsDodge77.76392.126 912Ryan NewmanPenske Racing SouthDodge77.82692.051 1007Clint BowyerRichard Childress RacingChevrolet77.94891.907 1196Ron FellowsHall of Fame RacingChevrolet77.96591.887 1219Elliott SadlerEvernham MotorsportsDodge78.01691.827 1343Bobby LabontePetty EnterprisesDodge78.07991.753 142Kurt BuschPenske Racing SouthDodge78.08791.744 1599Carl EdwardsRoush Fenway RacingFord78.12691.698 1644Dale JarrettMichael Waltrip RacingToyota78.17291.644 1716Greg BiffleRoush Fenway RacingFord78.32891.462 181Martin Truex Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet78.39191.388 1922Dave BlaneyBill Davis RacingToyota78.40291.375 2014Sterling MarlinGinn RacingChevrolet78.41891.357 2191Marc Goossens Riley-D'Hondt MotorsportsToyota78.45591.313 2229Kevin HarvickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet78.45991.309 2345Kyle PettyPetty EnterprisesDodge78.49791.265 245Kyle BuschHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet78.53391.223 2555Terry LabonteMichael Waltrip RacingToyota78.53491.222 2601Regan SmithGinn RacingChevrolet78.59791.148 2717Matt KensethRoush Fenway RacingFord78.64891.089 2888Ricky RuddRobert Yates RacingFord78.65791.079 2941Reed SorensonChip Ganassi RacingDodge78.66991.065 3023Butch LeitzingerBill Davis RacingToyota78.68191.051 3166Jeff GreenHaas CNC RacingChevrolet78.72990.996 3242Juan Pablo MontoyaChip Ganassi RacingDodge78.74690.976 3318J. J. YeleyJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet78.81290.900 3470Johnny SauterHaas CNC RacingChevrolet78.86290.842 3538David GillilandRobert Yates RacingFord78.93690.758 3611Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet79.07090.592 376David RaganRoush Fenway RacingFord79.71389.872 3825Casey MearsHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet79.93889.619 3913Joe NemechekGinn RacingChevrolet82.66786.661 4040David StremmeChip Ganassi RacingDodge85.13784.147 4124Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet–– 4248 Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet–– 4300P. J. JonesMichael Waltrip RacingToyota78.81390.899Failed to qualify 444Ward BurtonMorgan-McClure MotorsportsChevrolet78.88790.813 4510Scott RiggsEvernham MotorsportsDodge78.91790.779 4602Brandon AshAsh MotorsportsDodge79.18090.477 4715 Paul MenardDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet79.21390.440 4883Brian VickersRed Bull Racing TeamToyota79.34790.287 4984A. J. AllmendingerRed Bull Racing TeamToyota79.47090.147 5037Brian SimoFront Row MotorsportsDodge79.55890.048 5178Kenny WallaceFurniture Row RacingChevrolet79.70489.883 5249Klaus GrafBAM RacingDodge80.10089.438Source:Race Lineup http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/16/data/lineup.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive April 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20070626043736/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/16/data/lineup.html June 26, 2007 2007 Nascar Cup Series Toyota / Save Mart 350 Entry List https://results.motorsportstats.com/results/2007-toyota-save-mart-350 Motorsport Stats October 15, 2020Qualifying times: Toyota/Save Mart 350 https://www.crash.net/nascar/results/91360/1/qualifying-times-toyotasave-mart-350 Crash June 23, 2007 October 15, 2020 October 17, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201017064734/https://www.crash.net/nascar/results/91360/1/qualifying-times-toyotasave-mart-350 dead Race Live television coverage of the race began at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time in the United States on TNT. Around the start of the race, weather conditions were sunny, clear, and breezy. Tina Coleman began pre-race ceremonies with an invocation. Actress and singer-songwriter Emmy Rossum performed the national anthem, and retired football wide receiver Jerry Rice along with Mike Wells of the Northern California Toyota Dealers commanded the drivers to start their engines. No drivers moved to the rear of the field.http://www.nascar.com/2007/races/lapbylap/06/24/sonoma/story_single.html Lap-by-Lap: Sonoma June 25, 2007 NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20070701095911/http://www.nascar.com/2007/races/lapbylap/06/24/sonoma/story_single.html#page2 July 1, 2007 April 8, 2016http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/6956590 NASCAR determined to police COT June 25, 2007 Fox Sports https://web.archive.org/web/20070628214301/http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/6956590 June 28, 2007 April 9, 2016 Associated Press thumb|left|upright|Robby Gordon led the most laps of the race (48) The race started at 5:22 p.m. McMurray maintained his pole position advantage heading into the first corner, while Stewart fell down the field after he ran wide at the second turn but did not damage his car. Robby Gordon and Earnahrdt moved into the first and second positions, as McMurray dropped to third. The race's first caution was prompted on lap two when Goossens, Kenseth and Kyle Petty made contact in the eleventh turn; Goossens was unable to restart his car. Some drivers made pit stops for fuel and tires under caution. Kenseth and Petty had damage to their cars repaired. Robby Gordon maintained his lead at the lap-five restart, ahead of Earnhardt and McMurray. Three laps later, Earnhardt attempted to pass Robby Gordon at the esses but was unable to complete the manoeuvre. After starting from 32nd, Montoya had moved up into 20th by the 13th lap. Sterling Marlin's engine failed on lap 14, and the race's second caution was issued one lap later because he stopped in turn eight. Some drivers elected to make pit stops during the caution. Robby Gordon remained the leader for the lap-17 restart, followed by Earnhardt and McMurray. Kyle Busch attempted to pass Montoya in turn eleven but locked his brakes and spun; he avoided contacting the wall but fell to the rear of the field. McMurray passed Earnhardt for second on the following lap. Eight laps later, a brake duct was located in turn four, which triggered the third caution. Robby Gordon led the field back up to speed at the lap-30 restart. Montoya and Johnson made contact on the 32nd lap. Green-flag pit stops began on the next lap when Earnhardt made a pit stop for tires and fuel. McMurray reclaimed the first position when Robby Gordon made his pit stop on lap 35; McMurray held it for the next lap and succeeded it to Johnson as other lead lap drivers made similar pit stops. Hamlin took over the lead when he out-braked Johnson in turn eleven on lap 37. Stewart took over the lead on the 41st lap when Hamlin made his pit stop. Fellows took over the position on the next lap, before the fourth caution was displayed on lap 44 when a large piece of metal was located at the start-finish line. Fellows chose to pit under caution, and Edwards led the field at the lap-46 restart; he was followed by Kyle Busch, Reed Sorenson, Jones and David Stremme. On lap 49, Kahne and Bobby Labonte made contact which resulted in Labonte spinning; similarly, Joe Nemechek spun at turn eleven and his rear-end hit the tire barriers, all three drivers continued. Robby Gordon moved back up into second when he passed Kyle Busch three laps later. Jarrett battled with Johnny Sauter for position on lap 53, and both drivers made contact; Jarrett spun in turn four and subsequently stalled. The incident prompted the race's fifth caution. Edwards led the field at the lap-56 restart, followed by Robby Gordon. On the same lap, Robby Gordon passed Edwards to retake the lead. The sixth caution was triggered on the next lap when Ragan spun on the chute before entering turn ten; he went through the grass, and was unable to restart his engine. Robby Gordon led the field back to racing speed on the lap-59 restart, followed by Edwards, Kyle Busch, McMurray and Said. McMurray moved up into second position by lap 62 after he passed Kyle Busch and Edwards. thumb|right|upright|Juan Pablo Montoya (pictured in 2015) became NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' first foreign-born winner since 1974. Leitzinger spun into the grass on lap 61, but rejoined the track. On the following lap, Kurt Busch spun sideways in turn eleven after Montoya got into his rear-end and managed to restart his engine despite falling down the order. Sorenson spun off the track, and hit the wall. He continued but spun a second time in turn seven after he clipped a curb which caused the race's seventh (and final) caution. Several drivers chose to pit under caution. McMurray and Edwards made pit stops for fuel and tires, while Said stalled which required his pit crew to push-start his car. Jeff Green collided with teammate Sauter on pit road and damaged his right-front fender. Green was observed speeding, but his race ended after his right-front tire caught fire. Robby Gordon elected not to make a pit stop and remained the leader at the lap-70 restart. Stewart out-braked Robby Gordon to take over the lead on the same lap, while Gordon lost a further position to Earnhardt when he was passed in turn eleven. Earnhardt ceded second position when he made a scheduled pit stop for four tires and fuel two laps later. Robby Gordon made a similar stop on the 75th lap, and Stewart did the same which allowed McMurray to reclaim the lead. Kenseth spun off into the grass on lap 75; he recovered after correcting his car and continued. Nemechek spun a second time at turn eleven but restarted his car on the following lap. By the 86th lap, McMurray led Harvick, Montoya, Kyle Busch and Burton, and the gap between the top three drivers was at 1.3 seconds five laps later. Harvick was passed by Montoya around the inside at turn eleven on lap 92. Five laps later, McMurray reported his car's engine was cutting out at several points around the track. Montoya made contact with McMurray while attempting to pass him, but McMurray held the first position. Montoya tried again on lap 102 by taking the inside line into turn eleven and momentarily moved in front of McMurray, but ran deep into the corner which allowed McMurray to retain the lead. Two laps later, Montoya passed McMurray around the inside entering turn four to take over the lead. Stewart moved ahead of Jeff Gordon but slid and made contact with Gordon on the 106th lap. Fourth-place runner Edwards ran out of fuel two laps later and drove to pit road; McMurray slowed after running low on fuel. Montoya conserved fuel for the remaining two laps to win his first career victory in the Nextel Cup Series. He became the first foreign-born driver to win in the series since Earl Ross won the 1974 Old Dominion 500, as well as the first Hispanic, and was Chip Ganassi Racing's first victory since October 2002.http://www.foxsports.com.au/breaking-news/montoya-claims-first-cup-victory/story-e6frf33c-1111113820783 Montoya claims first cup victory June 24, 2007 Fox Sports Australia https://archive.today/20170726135815/https://www.foxsports.com.au/breaking-news/montoya-claims-first-cup-victory/news-story/17a8389e9909acc641be8cadeecaa9fe July 26, 2017 live April 9, 2016 Agence France-Presse Harvick finished second, ahead of Richard Childress Racing teammate Jeff Burton in third, Bowyer in fourth and Greg Biffle fifth. Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Said and Hamlin rounded out the top ten finishers. The race had seven cautions and eleven lead changes by eight different drivers during the race. Post-race comments Montoya appeared in victory lane to celebrate his first career victory in the Nextel Cup Series in front of the crowd; earning $310,600 for the victory. He said that he was "more relieved than excited" as he was given high expectations that he would perform well in NASCAR.https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jun-25-sp-nextel25-story.html Montoya takes full stock of situation at Sonoma Peltz Jim June 25, 2007 Los Angeles Times April 9, 2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160424085359/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jun/25/sports/sp-nextel25 April 24, 2016 He also stated: "It's huge. I would say right now it's the biggest thing I've done. In open-wheel, that's what I was meant to be winning in. In stock cars, I wasn't. To get our first win in our first year is huge. We know we're a little bit behind on some of the ovals, but I think this is a big boost for everybody working in the shop."http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20070625/archives/306259943/ Montoya gets historic first Cup victory Harris Mike June 25, 2007 The Post and Courier April 9, 2016 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160419025829/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20070625/archives/306259943/ April 19, 2016 Harvick, who finished in second, felt Montoya did not have sufficient fuel to reach the race's conclusion: "I've been a big fan of Montoya's since he came over. He's a great road racer, but he wasn't the fastest. The strategy won it for him today." Third-place finisher Burton was happy with his finishing position: "Obviously we worked really hard all last year and this year on fuel mileage and it paid off for us today. It was a good run for us. We ran competitive all race long."http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/montoya-is-california-dreamin-in-sonoma/ Montoya is California dreamin' in Sonoma June 26, 2007 motorsport.com April 9, 2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160428031812/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/montoya-is-california-dreamin-in-sonoma/ April 28, 2016 Jeff Gordon was happy with the way his race was run: "I thought (crew chief) Steve Letarte and everyone on our team just called this race perfectly to come from that far back to a top 10. We played the (pit) strategy the best way we possibly could and we had some cautions fall our way, which was some good fortune for us to gain some spots." Fifth-place finisher Biffle said his car felt good but felt it was difficult to overtake other drivers. Robby Gordon, who led 48 laps (the most of any driver) was disappointed by finishing in 16th position: "Not to make excuses, but we were gonna run out of fuel. It's disappointing that we had a car as fast as we had, started on the front row, and not just get beat but finish 16th." He said he hoped any problems with his fuel mileage would be resolved by the season's second road course event at Watkins Glen.http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2007/06/A-Pain-In-The-Gas.aspx A Pain In The Gas June 25, 2007 Motor Racing Network International Speedway Corporation April 9, 2016 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160419060359/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2007/06/A-Pain-In-The-Gas.aspx April 19, 2016 mdy-all Two days after the race, Hendrick Motorsports was given penalties for Jeff Gordon's and Johnson's cars. The penalties, for actions detrimental to stock car racing, car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that did not conform to NASCAR rules, parts or car components not previously approved by NASCAR that were installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, and unauthorized alterations to the car's fender, included a $100,000 fine for crew chiefs Steve Letarte and Chad Knaus who were placed on probation until December 31, 2007, and were suspended from the next six races, and the loss of 100 drivers and owners points for Rick Hendrick, Gordon and Johnson.http://www.speedtv.com/articles/nascar/nextel/38347/ CUP: Knaus, Letarte Parked For Six Races Jensen Tom June 26, 2007 Speed https://web.archive.org/web/20070629141753/http://www.speedtv.com/articles/nascar/nextel/38347/ June 29, 2007 April 9, 2016 Nextel Cup Series director John Darby said there was flaring on Johnson's and Gordon's front fenders that increased their width by one inch longer than the regulations allowed.https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/06/27/nascar-penalizes-gordon-johnson/ NASCAR penalizes Gordon, Johnson Hinton Ed Ed Hinton (sportswriter) June 27, 2007 Chicago Tribune April 9, 2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160420110846/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-06-27/sports/0706270114_1_uniform-bodywork-severe-nascar-crackdown-gordon-and-johnson April 20, 2016 On June 28, Hendrick Motorsports announced they would not appeal the penalties,http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60240 Hendrick won't appeal penalties Meija Diego June 28, 2007 Autosport Haymarket Publications April 9, 2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160419142059/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60240 April 19, 2016 and Johnson and Gordon later stated that they accepted the decision although they felt the penalties were harsh.http://savannahnow.com/sports/2007-06-30/gordon-johnson-accept-penalties# Gordon, Johnson accept penalties Coble Don June 30, 2007 Savannah Morning News April 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160418194231/http://savannahnow.com/sports/2007-06-30/gordon-johnson-accept-penalties April 18, 2016 live The result kept Gordon in the lead of the Drivers' Championship with 2,438 points, ahead of Hamlin in second. Kenseth and Burton moved up one positions into third and fourth, while Johnson fell to fifth position. Stewart moved in front of Edwards for sixth, while Harvick and Bowyer remained in eighth and ninth positions. Kyle Busch, Truex and Earnhardt rounded out the top twelve.http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/16/data/standings_official.html 2007 Official Driver Standings: Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive https://web.archive.org/web/20070809182704/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/16/data/standings_official.html August 9, 2007 April 9, 2016 Chevrolet maintained its lead in the Manufacturers' Championship 135 points; Ford remained in second with 86 points. Dodge maintained third position, and Toyota remained in fourth. The race attracted a television audience of 6.5 million people. It took two hours, fifty-six minutes, and eleven seconds to complete the event, and the margin of victory was 4.097 seconds. Race results Pos Position Grid Car Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Laps run Points 13242Juan Pablo MontoyaChip Ganassi RacingDodge1101901 22229Kevin HarvickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet110170 3631Jeff BurtonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet110165 41007Clint BowyerRichard Childress RacingChevrolet110160 51716Greg BiffleRoush Fenway RacingFord110155 6520Tony StewartJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet1101551 74124Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet110463 8245Kyle BuschHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet110142 9460Boris SaidNo Fear RacingFord110138 103611Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet1101391 112888Ricky RuddRobert Yates RacingFord110130 124300P. J. JonesMichael Waltrip RacingToyota110127 1338Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet110124 141219Elliott SadlerEvernham MotorsportsDodge110121 151196Ron FellowsHall of Fame RacingChevrolet110123 1627Robby GordonRobby Gordon MotorsportsFord1101252 174248Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet1101713 181599Carl EdwardsRoush Fenway RacingFord1101141 19721Bill ElliottWood Brothers RacingFord110106 20912Ryan NewmanPenske Racing SouthDodge110103 213318J. J. YeleyJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet110100 22142Kurt BuschPenske Racing SouthDodge11097 2389Kasey KahneEvernham MotorsportsDodge11094 24181Martin Truex Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet11091 253538David GillilandRobert Yates RacingFord11088 261644Dale JarrettMichael Waltrip RacingToyota11085 273825Casey MearsHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet11082 283023Butch LeitzingerBill Davis RacingToyota11079 29376David RaganRoush Fenway RacingFord11076 302601Regan SmithGinn RacingChevrolet11073 313470Johnny SauterHaas CNC RacingChevrolet11070 324040David StemmeChip Ganassi RacingDodge11067 331343Bobby LabontePetty EnterprisesDodge10964 342717Matt KensethRoush Fenway RacingFord10961 352555Terry LabonteMichael Waltrip RacingToyota10958 362191Marc GoossensRiley-D'Hondt MotorsportsToyota10955 37126Jamie McMurrayRoush Fenway RacingFord109521 383913Joe NemechekGinn RacingChevrolet10949 392345Kyle PettyPetty EnterprisesDodge10846 402941Reed SorensonChip Ganassi RacingDodge10543 411922Dave BlaneyBill Davis RacingToyota9740 423166Jeff GreenHaas CNC RacingChevrolet6837 432014Sterling MarlinGinn RacingChevrolet1234Source:Infineon Raceway (Sonoma) Toyota/Save Mart 350 June 24, 2007 http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/results/16sonoma2007results.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site October 15, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20070628083153/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/results/16sonoma2007results.htm June 28, 2007 deadRace Result: Toyota/Save Mart 350 https://www.crash.net/nascar/results/91367/1/race-result-toyotasave-mart-350 Crash June 24, 2007 October 15, 2020 October 16, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016231816/https://www.crash.net/nascar/results/91367/1/race-result-toyotasave-mart-350 dead2007 Nascar Cup Series Toyota / Save Mart 350 Race https://results.motorsportstats.com/results/2007-toyota-save-mart-350/classification Motorsport Stats October 15, 20201 Includes five bonus points for leading a lap2 Includes ten bonus points for leading the most laps3 Includes a 100-point penalty for a car infringement Standings after the race Drivers' Championship standings Pos Position –/+ Driver Points 1 10px Jeff Gordon 2,438 2 10px Jimmie Johnson 2,267 (−171) 3 10px 1 Matt Kenseth 2,105 (−333) 4 10px 1 Jeff Burton 2,084 (−354) 5 10px 2 Denny Hamlin 2,072 (−366) 6 10px 1 Tony Stewart 2,058 (−380) 7 10px 1 Carl Edwards 2,019 (−419) 8 10px Kevin Karvick 1,964 (−474) 9 10px Clint Bowyer 1,934 (−504) 10 10px 1 Kyle Busch 1,905 (−533) 11 10px 1 Martin Truex Jr. 1,863 (−575) 12 10px Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1,815 (−623)Source: thumb|right|upright|alt=Man in his late-thirties with a head full of hair and wearing sunglasses|Jeff Gordon (pictured in 2009) remained the points leader after the race. Manufacturers' Championship standings Pos Position +/– Manufacturer Points 1 10px Chevrolet 135 2 10px Ford 86 (−49) 3 10px Dodge 82 (−53) 4 10px Toyota 50 (−75)Source: Note: Only the top twelve positions are included for the driver standings. References 30em Nextel Cup Series 2007 2007 Citizens Bank 400 2007 Lenox Industrial Tools 300 California Sports United States Toyota Save Mart 350 Toyota Save Mart 350 Category:NASCAR races at Sonoma Raceway Toyota Save Mart 350