2007 Checker Auto Parts 500
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox NASCAR race report
| Type = CUST
| Description = Race 35 of 36 in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season
| Race Name = Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil
| Details ref = {{cite web|title=2007 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2007_Checker_Auto_Parts_500_Presented_by_Pennzoil/W/|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=April 11, 2024}}{{cite web|title=The Race: The Checker Auto Parts 500(k)|url=http://www.jayski.com/next/2007/35phx2007.htm|work=Jayski's Silly Season Site|access-date=April 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720082036/http://www.jayski.com/next/2007/35phx2007.htm|archive-date=July 20, 2008|url-status=dead}}
| Fulldate = {{Start date|2007|11|11}}
| Year = 2007
| Race_No = 35
| Season_No = 36
| Image = Phoenix-international-raceway-2011.svg
| Caption = Map of the Phoenix International Raceway
| Official name = Checker Auto Parts 500
| Location = Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, Arizona
| Weather =
| Course_mi = 1.000
| Course_km = 1.609
| Distance_laps = 312
| Distance_mi = 312
| Distance_km = 502.115
| Avg = {{convert|102.989|mi/h}}
| Pole_Driver = Carl Edwards
| Pole_Team = Roush Fenway Racing
| Pole_Time = 27.114
| Most_Driver = Matt Kenseth
| Most_Team = Roush Fenway Racing
| Most_laps = 93
| Car = 48
| First_Driver = Jimmie Johnson
| First_Team = Hendrick Motorsports
| Network = ABC
| Announcers = Jerry Punch, Rusty Wallace, and Andy Petree
}}
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 was utilized full-time beginning with the 2008 season.{{cite web|title=This week in racing|url=https://eu.dispatch.com/story/news/2007/11/08/this-week-in-racing/24022755007/|work=The Columbus Dispatch|date=November 8, 2007|access-date=April 11, 2024}}
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. started alongside him in second. Spring race winner Jeff Gordon started third, hometown hero J. J. Yeley took fourth, points leader Jimmie Johnson started sixth, and defending winner Kevin Harvick started 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.{{cite web|last=Mejía|first=Diego|title=Edwards takes Phoenix Cup pole|url=https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/edwards-takes-phoenix-cup-pole-4417021/4417021/|work=Autosport|date=November 10, 2007|access-date=April 11, 2024}}
Failed to Qualify: Michael Waltrip (#55), A. J. Allmendinger (#84), Ward Burton (#4), John Andretti (#49), Dale Jarrett (#44), David Reutimann (#00){{cite web|title=Numbers Game: 2007 Checker Auto Parts 500K at Phoenix|url=https://frontstretch.com/2007/11/12/numbers-2007-checker-500-phoenix/|work=Frontstretch|date=November 12, 2007|access-date=April 11, 2024}}
NOTE: This was the first time in 2007 where all three Michael Waltrip Racing cars had missed a race.
Results
Top Ten Results: (NOTE: Chase drivers are in bold italics.)
| class="wikitable" |
| Pos.
! No. ! Driver ! Car ! Team |
|---|
| 1.
| #48 |
| 2.
| #16 | Ford |
| 3.
| #17 | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing |
| 4.
| #20 | Chevrolet |
| 5.
| #12 | Dodge |
| 6.
| #29 | Chevrolet |
| 7.
| #1 | Chevrolet |
| 8.
| #5 | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 9.
| #31 | Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing |
| 10.
| #24 | Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
References
{{reflist}}
{{NASCAR next race
| Series = Nextel Cup Series
| Season = 2007
| Previous_race = 2007 Dickies 500
| Next_race = 2007 Ford 400
}}
{{2007 Nextel Cup}}