What Is 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was the 59th season of NASCAR's top racing series, featuring 36 races and culminating with Jimmie Johnson winning his second consecutive championship. Johnson secured the title with 10 race victories, including four straight in the Chase for the Championship.

Key Facts

Jimmie Johnson won his second consecutive NASCAR Nextel Cup Series title in 2007
The season consisted of 36 points races, beginning with the Daytona 500 on February 18
Johnson earned 10 victories during the 2007 season, the most of any driver
Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the popular 'Most Popular Driver' award for the eighth straight year
The series was sponsored by Nextel, a telecommunications brand, until 2007

Overview

The 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series marked the 59th season of NASCAR's premier racing division, maintaining its status as one of the most competitive and widely viewed motorsports series in the United States. This season continued the format introduced in 2004 with the 'Chase for the Championship,' a playoff-style system designed to heighten drama in the final races.

It featured a full schedule of 36 points-paying events, starting with the iconic Daytona 500 and concluding with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The season saw record-breaking performances, intense rivalries, and solidified Jimmie Johnson as a dominant force in stock car racing.

36 races were held across the season, beginning with the Daytona 500 on February 18, 2007, and ending with the Ford 400 on November 18.
Jimmie Johnson claimed his second consecutive championship, driving the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports under crew chief Chad Knaus.
Johnson recorded 10 wins during the season, including victories in four consecutive Chase races: Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, and Phoenix.
The Chase for the Championship included the top 12 drivers after 26 races, with points reset to create a tighter title battle in the final 10 events.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award for the eighth consecutive year, highlighting his enduring fan appeal despite not winning a race in 2007.

How It Works

The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series operated under a structured points system and seasonal format designed to reward consistency and peak performance, particularly during the playoff segment.

Chase Format: Introduced in 2004, the Chase for the Championship reset points for the top 12 drivers after 26 races, increasing competitiveness in the final 10 races.
Points System: Drivers earned 185 base points for first place, decreasing by five points per position, plus five bonus points for leading the most laps.
Win-and-You're-In: Winning a race in the first 26 events virtually guaranteed a driver a spot in the Chase, provided they remained in the top 12 in points.
Playoff Reset: The 12 eligible drivers had their points adjusted, with the leader receiving 5,050 points and others within 150-point intervals.
Final Race Decider: The 2007 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway was the season finale, where Johnson clinched the title by finishing seventh.
Manufacturer Competition: Chevrolet dominated the season with 19 wins, followed by Ford (10) and Dodge (7), reflecting ongoing brand rivalry.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of top performers in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series based on key performance metrics:

Driver	Wins	Top 5s	Top 10s	Final Points Position
Jimmie Johnson	10	20	24	1st
Jeff Gordon	6	19	22	2nd
Jeff Burton	1	15	21	3rd
Kevin Harvick	2	12	19	4th
Dale Earnhardt Jr.	0	10	16	15th

This table highlights how consistent top-10 finishes and multiple wins propelled Johnson and Gordon to the top of the standings. While Earnhardt Jr. remained a fan favorite, his lack of a win in 2007 significantly impacted his points outcome. The data underscores the importance of both victory frequency and consistency in NASCAR's points structure.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season was pivotal in shaping NASCAR's modern era, reinforcing the effectiveness of the Chase format and elevating Jimmie Johnson into legendary status. It also reflected broader trends in sponsorship, fan engagement, and manufacturer competition.

The success of the Chase format led to its continuation and eventual evolution into the current NASCAR Playoffs system used today.
Jimmie Johnson's back-to-back titles established him as a premier driver, foreshadowing his eventual record-tying seven championships.
Nextel's sponsorship of the series ended after 2007, with Sprint taking over branding in 2008, marking a transition in telecom partnerships.
The season drew an average TV audience of 7.9 million viewers, demonstrating NASCAR's strong national viewership during its peak popularity.
Homestead-Miami Speedway solidified its role as the championship-deciding venue, a tradition that continued for years.
The 2007 season also saw increased safety improvements, including the continued use of the HANS device and SAFER barriers at tracks.

Ultimately, the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was a landmark season that combined thrilling racing, strategic innovation, and cultural significance, leaving a lasting impact on the sport's history.