2007 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400

The 2007 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 was the third race in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup season, which took place on March 11, 2007 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The race was the first at the newly-refurbished track, which now has a progressive banking in the turns on the 1.5 mile D-shaped oval, a new garage area which is fan friendly known as "The Neon Garage" named for the lighted signs through the city's gambling areas, and a new pit road that was built closer to the grandstands.

Race summary

Jimmie Johnson won his third straight Nextel Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, defeating teammate Jeff Gordon by 2.795 seconds. Gordon finished in second place for the second straight time. Denny Hamlin was third, Matt Kenseth fourth and Mark Martin fifth. [http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/results/3lvms2007results.htm]

Martin retained his points lead after three races with 495 points, six ahead of Gordon. [http://www.jayski.com/stats/2007/standings/3lvms2007points.htm]

Because of the new asphalt concerns, NASCAR cut the size of fuel cells from 18 gallons to 13 gallons, similar to what had been used on restrictor plate tracks from October 2002 until October 2006, and also for the two 2006 races at Lowe's Motor Speedway to force more pit stops to change tires.

Results

†-Rookie of the Year candidate

Failed to qualify

The following 10 drivers failed to qualify for the race: A.J. Allmendinger‡ (#84), Mike Bliss (#49), John Andretti (#37), Brian Vickers (#83), David Reutimann‡ (#00), Jeremy Mayfield (#36), Brandon Whitt‡ (#72), Kevin Lepage (#34), Michael Waltrip (#55), and Ken Schrader (#47).

Allmendinger, Bliss, Mayfield, and Whitt have missed all three races for which they have attempted to qualify. Waltrip has missed the last two. Reutimann had made both previous races. Vickers had missed the Daytona 500 and made the Auto Club 500. Schrader missed making a field for the first time since the November 2003 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Also of note: Regan Smith‡ was to have qualified in the #39 car, but the car was withdrawn and Smith did not make an attempt.