2007 NASCAR Busch Series
In the first 28 races, only two drivers not with regular Nextel Cup Series schedules drove their cars to victory from start to finish: Stephen Leicht (Meijer 300, Kentucky Speedway) and Jason Leffler (Kroger 200, O'Reilly Raceway Park).
29 Holiday Inn Chevy to the outside and banged fenders with Kyle who got loose under Burton and spun down on the apron and hit the outside wall after taking the second position.
Out of respect for Busch leaving him room to pass, Jeff Burton pulled alongside Kyle's wrecked car to shake hands with him before going to victory lane and receive his checkered flag.
However, a loose lugnut after the final pit stop forced Busch to go to the tail end of the longest line, handing the lead to Jeff Burton.
However, Carl Edwards spoiled the party, coming back from a loose wheel penalty to pass Busch regular Jason Leffler with 25 laps to go to win his second consecutive race and extend his points lead.
Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya appeared to have his second Busch Series win in the bag until he hit the clutch during a pit stop, leaving him with a loose lugnut.
But Tony Stewart, who was aiming to avenge his spectacular flip from one year ago, took the lead from Casey Mears with help from Kevin Harvick, Inc. teammate Bobby Labonte.
In the Busch Series' first Friday night shootout of the season, Kevin Harvick aimed to make it a four-peat of consecutive wins at RIR.
On the last restart of the night, Bowyer pulled away from Kenseth and Buron to snap Harvick's win streak but give owner Richard Childress his fourth consecutive victory at RIR.
The decision, although tough, paid off as Hamlin held off Wisconsin native Scott Wimmer to cross the start/finish line in first, but Almirola was credited with his first career NASCAR Busch Series victory.
Juan Pablo Montoya, coming off his first ever Cup victory and with a new crew chief in Brian Pattie, was taken out by Clint Bowyer on lap 165, setting up the run to the finish.
Top ten results: Did not qualify: Mike Harmon (#44) The Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children was held on July 28 at O'Reilly Raceway Park.
Top ten results: Did not qualify: Mike Potter (#00) Note: Following the race, Greg Biffle was fined $5,000 and place on probation until December 17 for failing to meet his post-race media obligations.
The inaugural NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge took place on August 4 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
However, road course ringers such as Scott Pruett and Niclas Jönsson, "Buschwhackers" Carl Edwards, Robby Gordon, and Kevin Harvick, along with Canadian natives Ron Fellows and Carpentier.
The excitement started when Harvick tangled with road course ringers Pruett and Fellows, causing a major pileup involving the likes of Jeff Burton, Brad Coleman, and Andy Pilgrim.
Going from last to first, and being on a shaky fuel mileage strategy, Harvick held off polesitter Carpentier to win the inaugural Busch Series race in Montreal.
One of those was Montreal winner Kevin Harvick, who took command on lap 50 and never looked back as he won his second consecutive road course race, and tied Jack Ingram for second on the all-time wins list with 31.
Top ten results: Did not qualify: Ron Young (#71), Eric McClure (#0) The Food City 250 was held on August 24 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Pit strategy and tires were key in this race, as the lead was traded between Kyle Busch, Leffler, David Reutimann, and Ryan Newman.
On the fifth caution flag of the night, Burton, knowing he would be 3 laps short on fuel, decided to come down pit road and take on fresh tires while Busch stayed out and inherited the lead.
Top ten results: Did not qualify: Kertus Davis (#01), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Alex García (#98) The RoadLoans.com 200 was held September 22 at Dover International Speedway.
The high number of these young drivers combined with the tricky and physically demanding "Monster Mile" made into a crashfest, including 13 caution flags.
In the melee, many strong cars, such as those of polesitter Biffle and Mike Bliss had pit problems early on, but both rallied to finish fourth and ninth, respectively.
However, making no mistakes at all was Denny Hamlin, who avoided the carnage to dominate, leading 138 of 200 laps, holding off hometown hero Martin Truex Jr. for his third win of the season.
Seemingly out of his slump, points leader Carl Edwards experienced trouble again, in the form of a cut tire sending him into the wall with just under 50 laps to go.
Top ten results: Did not qualify: Eric McClure (#0), D. J. Kennington (#72), Travis Kittleson (#61) The Sam's Town 250 was held October 27 at Memphis Motorsports Park.
Top ten results: Did not qualify: Kertus Davis (#01), Carl Long (#54), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Marc Mitchell (#12), Mike Harmon (#44), Chris Lawson (#52) The O'Reilly Challenge was held November 3 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Kyle Busch dominated the race leading 132 laps and holding off Matt Kenseth (who had lost his power steering) on a green-white-checkered finish.
Top ten results: Did not qualify: Jennifer Jo Cobb (#44), Eric McClure (#0), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Brian Pannone (#34) The Ford 300 was held November 17 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
