2007 Checker Auto Parts 500

The 2007 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil, the next to last race of the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season and the 2007 Chase for the NEXTEL Cup ran on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at Phoenix International Raceway in the Phoenix suburb of Avondale, Arizona. This race was the final race of sixteen to feature NASCAR's template known as the Car of Tomorrow, which will be utilized full time beginning with the 2008 season.

Pre-Race News

* 2006 IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr. officially announced that he would leave open-wheel racing for NASCAR starting in 2008 for Roger Penske. Sam will drive the revived #77 Dodge sponsored by Mobil 1. Since the car is not in the top 35 in owners points, Penske may give Kurt Busch's owner's points to the #77 while Kurt can make up to six races at most, if necessary, on his past champions provisional. Hornish joins fellow IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jacques Villeneuve, Patrick Carpentier, Scott Speed, and A.J. Allmendinger as drivers who have left the open wheel ranks for stock cars.
* Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced on November 9 that electronics retailer Best Buy would sponsor Elliot Sadler in 15 Sprint Cup races in 2008.
* Hall of Fame Racing announced their intention to partner with Toyota Racing Development for the 2008 season, continuing their affiliation with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Qualifying

With a lap of 27.114 seconds at a speed of 132.773 mph, Carl Edwards won his first pole of the season and third of his career. Fellow Chase driver Martin Truex Jr. will start alongside him, missing P1 by only .003 sec. Spring race winner Jeff Gordon starts third, hometown hero J.J. Yeley starts fourth, points leader Jimmie Johnson starts sixth, and defending winner Kevin Harvick starts 34th. Out of the open-wheel imports, IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr. made his first Cup race on speed, starting 26th, Patrick Carpentier, who is taking over for Scott Riggs, qualified 24th, and Jacques Villeneuve made his second Cup race, starting 27th.

Failed to Qualify: Michael Waltrip (#55), A.J. Allmendinger (#84), Ward Burton (#4), John Andretti (#49), Dale Jarrett (#44), David Reutimann (#00)

"NOTE: This is the first time in 2007 where all three Michael Waltrip Racing cars have missed a race."

Results

Top Ten Results: "(NOTE: Chase drivers are in bold italics.)"