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Nextel Cup Driver
Capsules
By Brit Fryer
Posted: 7:00 am PDT 2007-02-11 |
Courtesy Of Wager
Web Sportsbook |
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AVID REUTIMANN
Date of birth: March 2, 1970
Hometown: Zephyrhills, Fla.
Car: No. 00 Burger King/Domino's Toyota Camry
Team: Michael Waltrip Racing
Crew chief: Frankie Kerr
Last season's stats: No starts in Nextel Cup
2006 review: Based on two victories and a series-leading 19 top 10s,
Reutimann finished third in the Craftsman Truck standings. He also made 15
starts in the Busch Series.
2007 preview: Reutimann will face stiff competition in the battle for rookie
of the year while driving for Michael Waltrip's start-up Toyota team. He'll
also run the full Busch Series schedule in Waltrip's No. 99. Former
sprint-car driver Kerr will help guide Reutimann along.
MARK MARTIN
Date of birth: Jan. 9, 1959
Hometown: Batesville, Ark.
Car: No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Ginn Racing
Crew chief: Ryan Pemberton
Last season's stats: Ninth in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins,
seven top fives, 15 top 10s and $4,282,550 in earnings
2006 review: Martin had been with Roush Racing since 1998, and he completed
his final year with friend and car owner Jack Roush by earning a spot in the
Chase for the Nextel Cup. Martin didn't win a race, but another berth in
NASCAR's postseason, he said, was a highlight in his long and storied
career.
2007 preview: The veteran, who was supposed to retire from Nextel Cup
racing, moves over to Ginn Racing (formerly MB2 Motorsports) and will run 22
races in the No. 01 Chevrolet. He'll split seat time with Regan Smith while
helping bring along Ginn's healthy crop of developmental drivers.
REGAN SMITH
Date of birth: Sept. 23, 1983
Hometown: Cato, N.Y.
Car: No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Ginn Racing
Crew chief: Ryan Pemberton
Last season's stats: No starts in Nextel Cup
2006 review: A product of the USAR Hooters Pro Cup ranks, Smith competed in
the full Busch Series season, scoring one top 10 in 35 starts on his way to
finishing 20th in points.
2007 preview: Smith will compete in 16 races while sharing the No. 01 seat
with Martin. He leads a pack of Ginn developmental drivers that includes
motocross ace Ricky Carmichael and sprint-car standout Kraig Kinser. He'll
also share Ginn's Busch Series seat with Kinser.
CLINT BOWYER
Date of birth: May 30, 1979
Hometown: Emporia, Kan.
Car: No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Richard Childress Racing
Crew chief: Gil Martin
Last season's stats: 17th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, four
top fives, 11 top 10s and $3,924,410 in earnings
2006 review: As a rookie, Bowyer was a step behind his two RCR teammates --
Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick -- as the entire operation greatly improved. He
lost the rookie battle to the red-hot Denny Hamlin while finishing third in
the Busch Series standings.
2007 preview: Because both of his teammates qualified for the Chase for the
Nextel Cup in 2006, much more will be expected of Bowyer, who's entering his
second season with a team that stayed intact through the offseason.
MARTIN TRUEX JR.
Date of birth: June 29, 1980
Hometown: Mayetta, N.J.
Car: No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Crew chief: Kevin Manion
Last season's stats: 19th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, two
top fives, five top 10s and $4,193,120 in earnings
2006 review: The two-time Busch Series champion struggled in his first
Nextel Cup season. But the team closed strong, posting six top-15 finishes
in the final nine events, including a second in the Homestead finale.
2007 preview: As DEI expands to a three-car stable, the Teresa
Earnhardt-operated team will look to Truex to step up and back up the face
of the organization -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Look for Truex to excel on
restrictor-plate tracks.
KURT BUSCH
Date of birth: Aug. 4, 1978
Hometown: Las Vegas
Car: No, 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger
Team: Penske Racing
Crew chief: Roy McCauley
Last season's stats: 16th in points with 36 starts, six poles, one win,
seven top fives, 12 top 10s and $5,026,140 in earnings
2006 review: The 2004 series champion with Roush Racing, Busch failed to
make the Chase for the Nextel Cup while adjusting to a new team and new crew
chief. He was tied for the series lead in poles and won once at a frigid
Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, where he was involved in a highly publicized
shouting match with rival Kevin Harvick. He also claimed two Busch Series
events.
2007 preview: It seemed Busch spent the early part of 2006 polishing his
tarnished image with fans. With that -- and a marriage -- behind him, Busch
can again turn his full attention to the "Blue Deuce" and winning races.
WARD BURTON
Date of birth: Oct. 25, 1961
Hometown: South Boston, Va.
Car: No. 4 State Water Heaters Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Morgan-McClure Motorsports
Crew chief: Chris Carrier
Last season's stats: 53rd in points with three starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, no top 10s and $232,450 in earnings
2006 review: Burton, with his unmistakable Southern drawl, surfaced after
two years out of the sport. The former Daytona 500 winner started three
races with Morgan McClure, which was enough to secure him a full-time seat
for 2007.
2007 preview: Not much can be expected out of this under-funded single-car
team. But there's no question Burton is a welcome addition to the garage, as
he's a favorite with fans, the media and fellow competitors.
KYLE BUSCH
Date of birth: May 2, 1985
Hometown: Las Vegas
Car: No. 5 Kellogg's Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Crew chief: Alan Gustafson
Last season's stats: 10th in points with 36 starts, one pole, one win, 10
top fives, 18 top 10s and $4,821,090 in earnings
2006 review: Busch performed admirably in top-flight equipment. He won in
Nextel Cup's first visit to New Hampshire International Speedway and
qualified for the Chase. From there, he couldn't catch a break, as Busch
finished 27th or worse in five of the 10 Chase races.
2007 preview: Signed at Hendrick through 2009, expect much of the same from
the younger of the two Busch brothers. He also has a fresh face in the 5/25
section of the Hendrick shop, as Casey Mears replaces Brian Vickers in the
No. 25 Chevrolet.
DAVID RAGAN
Date of birth: Dec. 24, 1985
Hometown: Kannapolis, N.C.
Car: No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion
Team: Roush Racing
Crew chief: Jimmy Fennig
Last season's stats: 63rd in points with two starts, no poles, no wins, no
top 10s and $129,610 in earnings
2006 review: In 19 starts driving Roush Racing's entry in the Craftsman
Truck Series, Ragan totaled one top five and eight top 10s. His two Nextel
Cup starts gave him a sniff of what to expect as a rookie this season.
2007 preview: Ragan has big shoes to fill. He replaces Mark Martin, who left
Roush Racing for a partial schedule at Ginn Racing. Even though veteran crew
chief Fennig is calling the shots, tough times should haunt this unproven
driver in a proven piece.
ROBBY GORDON
Date of birth: Jan. 2, 1969
Hometown: Cerritos, Calif.
Car: No. 7 Harrah's/Jim Beam/Menards Ford Fusion
Team: Robby Gordon Motorsports
Crew chief: Greg Erwin
Last season's stats: 30th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, one
top five, three top 10s and $3,143,790 in earnings
2006 review: Go figure. Gordon's best finish came on a road course when he
finished fourth at Watkins Glen. He led only eight laps all season and had
nine DNFs.
2007 preview: Gordon announced last October that he reunited with Ford,
which he expects will help his single-car team tremendously. Instead of
being a small fish in the big Chevrolet pond, Gordon's team has suddenly
become a major player in the Blue Oval camp. And he'll utilize Roush/Yates
engines.
DALE EARNHARDT JR.
Date of birth: Oct. 10, 1974
Hometown: Kannapolis, N.C.
Car: No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Crew chief: Tony Eury Jr.
Last season's stats: Fifth in points with 36 starts, no poles, one win, 10
top fives, 17 top 10s and $5,466,100 in earnings
2006 review: After missing the Chase for the Nextel Cup in 2005, Earnhardt
rebounded after reuniting with crew chief Eury Jr. Earnhardt didn't win many
races, but driver No. 8 found the consistency that enabled him to at least
compete for his first championship. And he again was voted NASCAR's most
popular driver.
2007 preview: Earnhardt's 2007 season has started in controversy, as a
highly publicized contract negotiation with Teresa Earnhardt -- his
stepmother who operates DEI -- took center stage. Could this be Earnhardt's
final year driving for the race team his late father started? It won't be
hard to follow Earnhardt's every move. He's constantly under the microscope.
KASEY KAHNE
Date of birth: April 10, 1980
Hometown: Enumclaw, Wash.
Car: No. 9 Dodge Dealers UAW Dodge Charger
Team: Evernham Motorsports
Crew chief: Kenny Francis (team director)
Last season's stats: Eighth in points with 36 starts, six poles, six wins,
12 top fives, 19 top 10s and $6,204,220 in earnings
2006 review: All Kahne, who seems to have magical powers on 1.5-mile tracks,
did was lead the series in victories with six. But because of a poor
mid-summer stretch, he squeaked into the Chase for the Nextel Cup, where he
struggled despite a fall triumph at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
2007 preview: Is this the year Kahne, a short-track racer at heart, breaks
through and makes a true run at the championship? He certainly thinks so,
and so does his car owner, Ray Evernham. Look for the No. 9 to be quick all
year long.
SCOTT RIGGS
Date of birth: Jan. 1, 1971
Hometown: Bahama, N.C.
Car: No. 10 Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge Charger
Team: Valvoline/Evernham Motorsports
Crew chief: Rodney Childers (team director)
Last season's stats: 20th in points with 35 starts, two poles, no wins, one
top five, eight top 10s and $3,237,340 in earnings
2006 review: Riggs' team showed flashes at times but just couldn't put the
total package together. He took both pole positions in the two races at
Lowe's Motor Speedway and qualified second three other times.
2007 preview: The ever-improving driver is poised for a breakout season, but
the No. 10 team must learn how to be fast at the end of the race and not
just the beginning. This could be a make-it-or-break-it year for the North
Carolina native. His contract is up at the end of the season.
DENNY HAMLIN
Date of birth: Nov. 18, 1980
Hometown: Chesterfield, Va.
Car: No. 11 FedEx Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
Crew chief: Mike Ford
Last season's stats: Third in points with 36 starts, three poles, two wins,
eight top fives, 20 top 10s and $4,389,220 in earnings
2006 review: Hamlin roared out of the gates in his rookie campaign. He won
the season-opening Budweiser Shootout and followed it up with a two-race
sweep at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. He rolled into the Chase for the Nextel Cup
and ended up third, only 68 points short of the championship.
2007 preview: Car owner Joe Gibbs, the head coach of the NFL's Washington
Redskins, said everything Hamlin touches turns to gold. If that's true,
Hamlin might be touching a shiny gold trophy come November at Homestead.
Don't expect Hamlin to limp through a sophomore slump.
RYAN NEWMAN
Date of birth: Dec. 8, 1977
Hometown: South Bend, Ind.
Car: No. 12 Alltel/Mobil 1 Dodge Charger
Team: Penske Racing
Crew chief: Mike Nelson
Last season's stats: 18th in points with 36 starts, two poles, no wins, two
top fives, seven top 10s and $5,364,550 in earnings
2006 review: What happened to Newman? He won eight races in 2003, but it's
been a slow regression since. He failed to win in 2006, mustered only two
top-five finishes and was never a contender for the Chase for the Nextel
Cup.
2007 preview: Nelson replaces Matt Borland, Newman's longtime crew chief.
Maybe a change atop the pit box will help the No. 12 car find the speed it
desperately needs.
JOE NEMECHEK
Date of birth: Sept. 26, 1963
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Car: No. 13 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (sponsor TBA)
Team: Ginn Racing
Crew chief: Peter Sospenzo
Last season's stats: 27th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, two top 10s and $4,099,910 in earnings
2006 review: Nemechek, after finishing 16th in the 2005 championship,
plummeted to 27th last season. His only two top-10 finishes didn't come
until the final six races.
2007 preview: The Florida driver moves over to the currently unsponsored new
third car at Ginn Racing. For three years Nemechek drove the No. 01, which
now is wheeled by Mark Martin and Regan Smith. Sospenzo comes over from
Hendrick Motorsports.
STERLING MARLIN
Date of birth: June 30, 1957
Hometown: Columbia, Tenn.
Car: No. 14 Waste Management Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Ginn Racing
Crew chief: Richard Labbe
Last season's stats: 34th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, one top 10 and $3,248,030 in earnings
2006 review: For the past five years, Marlin has spiraled down the
standings. Last season, with only one top 10, was his worst points finish
since he ended up 36th in 1986.
2007 preview: Marlin said in January that he feels great and hasn't yet worn
down from the daily grind of Nextel Cup racing. He'll be in the car through
2007, then Marlin may give way to one of Ginn's developmental drivers.
PAUL MENARD
Date of birth: Aug. 21, 1980
Hometown: Eau Claire, Wis.
Car: No. 15 Menards Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Crew chief: Tony Eury Sr.
Last season's stats: 45th in points with seven starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, one top 10 and $546,993 in earnings
2006 review: Menard was the highest-finishing true Busch Series driver. He
ended up sixth in the Busch standings behind a crop of talented Nextel Cup
regulars and posted his first victory at The Milwaukee Mile.
2007 preview: The handful of Cup starts should help Menard, who's making the
leap so many have failed to complete. He fits right in with teammates Dale
Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. and has the veteran Eury Sr. on his side.
GREG BIFFLE
Date of birth: Dec. 23, 1969
Hometown: Vancouver, Wash.
Car: No. 16 Ameriquest Ford Fusion
Team: Roush Racing
Crew chief: Pat Tryson
Last season's stats: 13th in points with 36 starts, two poles, two wins,
eight top fives, 15 top 10s and $4,602,720 in earnings
2006 review: Perhaps no driver gets up on the wheel more than Biffle, and
even he would tell you he was disappointed in 2006. He did win twice but
failed to qualify for the Chase for the Nextel Cup, where he finished second
in 2005.
2007 preview: Biffle lost crew chief Doug Richert to Team Red Bull and
sponsor National Guard to Hendrick Motorsports. No worries, the proven
Tryson is on board the No. 16, which usually goes fast regardless of paint
scheme.
MATT KENSETH
Date of birth: March 10, 1972
Hometown: Cambridge, Wis.
Car: No. 17 Dewalt Tools Ford Fusion
Team: Roush Racing
Crew chief: Robbie Reiser
Last season's stats: Second in points with 36 starts, no poles, four wins,
15 top fives, 21 top 10s and $6,608,920 in earnings
2006 review: It was a typical Kenseth-type year -- quiet consistency. The
2003 series champion, Kenseth finished second to champion Jimmie Johnson. He
has ended up outside the top 10 in points since 2001.
2007 preview: Kenseth signed a multi-year extension with Roush Racing, as
did sponsor DeWalt Tools. All the pieces are in place for the Wisconsin
native to make a run at championship No. 2.
J.J. YELEY
Date of birth: Oct. 5, 1976
Hometown: Phoenix
Car: No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
Crew chief: Steve Addington
Last season's stats: 29th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, three top 10s and $4,336,550 in earnings
2006 review: No driver had more bad luck than Yeley -- the 2003 USAC Triple
Crown champion. Six crashes knocked Yeley out of races and his Chevrolet ran
out of gas in the Homestead finale. He finished fifth in the Busch Series
standings, just missing a victory or two.
2007 preview: Once a starter in the Indianapolis 500, Yeley excels on
asphalt and on dirt. Teammate Tony Stewart said once Yeley fully figures out
a Nextel Cup car, "Look out!" This might be the year.
ELLIOTT SADLER
Date of birth: April 30, 1975
Hometown: Emporia, Va.
Car: No. 19 Dodge Dealers UAW Dodge Charger
Team: Evernham Motorsports
Crew chief: Josh Browne (team director)
Last season's stats: 22nd in points with 36 starts, one pole, no wins, one
top five, seven top 10s and $4,650,290 in earnings
2006 review: Sadler wasn't happy with the direction struggling Robert Yates
Racing was headed, so he and RYR parted ways in August. He quickly surfaced
with Evernham Motorsports, where he drove the final 14 races in the No. 19.
2007 preview: There's no question teammate Kasey Kahne is Evernham's lead
driver, but Sadler has a car capable of running up front. He wanted out at
Yates to move onto bigger and better things ? here's his chance.
TONY STEWART
Date of birth: May 20, 1971
Hometown: Columbus, Ind.
Car: No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
Crew chief: Greg Zipadelli
Last season's stats: 11th in points with 36 starts, no poles, five wins, 15
top fives, 19 top 10s and $7,285,280 in earnings
2006 review: Unbelievably, the two-time series champion narrowly missed the
Chase for the Nextel Cup. Three early season DNFs dragged down the No. 20
team in the end. But Stewart caught fire late, winning three of the Chase
races.
2007 preview: With the Chase expanding to 12 drivers, Stewart is a near lock
to qualify for NASCAR's postseason. Perhaps no driver-crew chief tandem is
as formidable than Stewart-Zipadelli. He'll also attend to his growing
interests in short-track racing.
KEN SCHRADER
Date of birth: May 29, 1955
Hometown: Fenton, Mo.
Car: No. 21 Little Debbies/Motocraft Ford Fusion
Team: Wood Brothers Racing
Crew chief: Ernie Cope
Last season's stats: 31st in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, two top 10s and $4,130,880 in earnings
2006 review: If he wasn't found in a Nextel Cup car, Schrader -- the
definition of a racer's racer -- was driving something else at a local short
track. He still proved he's a capable competitor, finishing ninth in the
Daytona 500.
2007 preview: Schrader is helping lead the resurrection of the Wood
Brothers. He'll share the No. 21 seat with Jon Wood, who will drive in 10
races. The team also will field a second car part time, with Australian
Marcos Ambrose at the wheel.
DAVE BLANEY
Date of birth: Oct. 24, 1962
Hometown: Hartford, Ohio
Car: No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota Camry
Team: Bill Davis Racing
Crew chief: Kevin Hamlin
Last season's stats: 26th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, one
top five, two top 10s and $3,479,640 in earnings
2006 review: The 1995 World of Outlaws sprint-car champion won his first
NASCAR race of any kind in the fall Busch Series race at Lowe's Motor
Speedway. In Nextel Cup, Blaney posted several solid runs, including
back-to-back top 10s in September.
2007 preview: Car owner Bill Davis opted to keep Blaney on board as the team
switches to Toyota and receives manufacturer for the first time in years.
Blaney also has a new teammate -- Jeremy Mayfield.
JEFF GORDON
Date of birth: Aug. 4, 1971
Hometown: Vallejo, Calif.
Car: No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Crew chief: Steve Letarte
Last season's stats: Sixth in points with 36 starts, two poles, two wins, 14
top fives, 18 top 10s and $5,975,870 in earnings
2006 review: Out of the Chase for the Nextel Cup in 2005, Gordon earned his
way back in. The four-time series champion won twice over the summer and
would have been a contender in the Chase had it not been for three-straight
finishes of 24th worse.
2007 preview: Life can't get much better. Gordon married Belgian model
Ingrid Vandebosch, and the couple has become a favorite of the paparazzi.
They're expecting their first child, and Gordon is still one of the top
drivers in NASCAR's premier series.
CASEY MEARS
Date of birth: March 12, 1978
Hometown: Bakersfield, Calif.
Car: No. 25 GMAC/National Guard Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Crew chief: Lance McGrew
Last season's stats: 14th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, two
top fives, eight top 10s and $5,413,340 in earnings
2006 review: Mears concluded his four-year stint with Chip Ganassi Racing
with a career-best showing in points. The Busch Series? He was strong there,
too, winning his first NASCAR race at Chicagoland Speedway.
2007 preview: The nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears,
Casey moves to the powerful Hendrick Motorsports stable. He's in the No. 25
seat vacated by Brian Vickers, who bailed for Toyota and Team Red Bull.
JAMIE McMURRAY
Date of birth: June 3, 1976
Hometown: Joplin, Mo.
Car: No. 26 Crown Royal/Irwin Tools Ford Fusion
Team: Roush Racing
Crew chief: Larry Carter
Last season's stats: 25th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, three
top fives, seven top 10s and $5,010,300 in earnings
2006 review: It was a disastrous season for McMurray, who left Chip Ganassi
Racing for what he thought were greener pastures at Roush Racing. It didn't
work out that way. The lone bright spot of McMurray's season was battling
for the win in the June Dover race.
2007 preview: Part of a crew chief shuffle at Roush, Larry Carter will call
the shots for McMurray, who was once thought to be the next superstar of
NASCAR. Though he's signed through 2009, McMurray and the No. 26 better get
with it.
KEVIN HARVICK
Date of birth: Dec. 8, 1975
Hometown: Bakersfield, Calif.
Car: No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil/Reeses/Hershey Foods Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Richard Childress Racing
Crew chief: Todd Berrier
Last season's stats: Fourth in points with 36 starts, one pole, five wins,
15 top fives, 20 top 10s and $6,201,580 in earnings
2006 review: Harvick had a career year. In one season, he matched the win
total of his previous five combined. Harvick began the Chase with loads of
momentum based on back-to-back victories at Richmond and New Hampshire. And
he made a mockery of the Busch Series, winning nine races and his second
championship -- by 824 points.
2007 preview: Harvick entertained offers from several other teams, but his
heart rested with Richard Childress Racing, which completed a restructuring
process and returned to front of Nextel Cup. Harvick is hungry and in his
prime. GM Goodwrench is gone as the team's sponsor.
JEFF BURTON
Date of birth: June 29, 1967
Hometown: South Boston, Va.
Car: No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Richard Childress Racing
Crew chief: Scott Miller
Last season's stats: Seventh in points with 36 starts, four poles, one win,
seven top fives, 20 top 10s and $5,008,880 in earnings
2006 review: Burton, who hadn't won in five years, came full circle in Chase
race No. 2 at Dover. He led the points standings for nearly a month before
fading to a seventh-place finish. He ended up with four poles, including one
in the Daytona 500.
2007 preview: Now that his career has been resurrected, Burton must prove
2006 was no fluke. This season could determine where Burton finds himself
next year, as his contract with RCR is up come November.
JEREMY MAYFIELD
Date of birth: May 27, 1969
Hometown: Owensboro, Ky.
Car: No. 36 360 OTC Toyota Camry
Team: Bill Davis Racing
Crew chief: Derrick Finley
Last season's stats: 39th in points with 22 starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, no top 10s and $2,641,730 in earnings
2006 review: Mayfield's season ended with a highly publicized falling-out
with car owner Ray Evernham. He asked for it and was out of the No. 19 Dodge
after August's Allstate 400 at Indianapolis. Mayfield drove one other race --
the Homestead finale in James Finch's Dodge.
2007 preview: Mayfield is starting anew after surfacing in Bill Davis
Racing's new second Toyota Camry (Dave Blaney drives the other). And he has
sponsorship from 360 OTC -- a new over-the-counter pain reliever.
DAVID GILLILAND
Date of birth: April 1, 1976
Hometown: Torrance, Calif.
Car: No. 38 M&M's Ford Fusion
Team: Robert Yates Racing
Crew chief: Todd Parrott
Last season's stats: 42nd in points with 15 starts, one pole, no wins, no
top fives, no top 10s and $1,521,450 in earnings
2006 review: Last June's Kentucky Busch Series race changed David
Gilliland's life. He won that race in an unsponsored car -- beating some of
Nextel Cup's best in process -- instantly giving him high-profile free agent
status. Elliott Sadler's departure from Robert Yates Racing opened the door
for Gilliland.
2007 preview: In 15 starts in the M&M's Ford, Gilliland's best finish was
15th twice, and he's not eligible for the 2007 rookie of the year. Though
the learning curve is steep, teammate Ricky Rudd can offer a veteran ear
after his return to the RYR stable.
DAVID STREMME
Date of birth: June 19, 1977
Hometown: South Bend, Ind.
Car: No. 40 Coors Light/Lonestar Steakhouse Dodge Charger
Team: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
Crew chief: Steve Lane
Last season's stats: 33rd in points with 34 starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, no top 10s and $3,456,110 in earnings
2006 review: Stremme didn't pass many cars in 2006. His average start was
26.4. His average finish was 26.4. Car owner Chip Ganassi benched Stremme
for the two road-course races.
2007 preview: Stremme is actually the most experienced of Ganassi's three
drivers. His teammates are 21-year-old Reed Sorenson and Juan Pablo Montoya,
the former Formula One driver who has one Nextel Cup start. Coors Light and
Lonestar Steakhouse will split sponsorship.
REED SORENSON
Date of birth: Feb. 5, 1986
Hometown: Peachtree City, Ga.
Car: No. 41 Target Dodge Charger
Team: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
Crew chief: Jimmy Elledge
Last season's stats: 24th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, one
top five, five top 10s and $3,456,950 in earnings
2006 review: As a rookie, Sorenson established himself as a top 20 caliber
of driver. He finished in the top half in half the races.
2007 preview: The newly turned 21-year-old -- a key ingredient in car owner
Chip Ganassi's long-term plan -- is still a long-shot for a Chase berth. But
you'll notice Sorenson's improvement as the season progresses.
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA
Date of birth: Sept. 20, 1975
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Car: No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge Charger
Team: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
Crew chief: Donnie Wingo
Last season's stats: 69th in points with one start, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, no top 10s and $61,425 in earnings
2006 review: While driving for car owner Chip Ganassi, Montoya won the 1999
CART championship and 2000 Indianapolis 500. A year later, he left American
open-wheel racing for Formula One, where late last season he was released
from McLaren Mercedes.
2007 preview: There hasn't been a buzz like this since, well, maybe never.
Montoya is regarded in many circles as one of the world's top drivers, and
his defection to NASCAR is expected to attract more international attention.
But finding the handle on bulky stock cars and oval-track racing will prove
to be a challenge.
BOBBY LABONTE
Date of birth: May 8, 1964
Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas
Car: No. 43 Cheerios Dodge Charger
Team: Petty Enterprises
Crew chief: Paul Andrews
Last season's stats: 21st in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, three
top fives, eight top 10s and $4,651,090 in earnings
2006 review: Labonte helped give Petty Enterprises its best season in years.
Just imagine how much better it could have been had it not been for five
crashes and three engine failures.
2007 preview: Andrews joined the Pettys midway through 2006, and there was
immediate improvement. With Evernham engines, Labonte might even contend for
a win. After all, he is a former series champion.
DALE JARRETT
Date of birth: Nov. 26, 1956
Hometown: Hickory, N.C.
Car: No. 44 UPS Toyota Camry
Team: Michael Waltrip Racing
Crew chief: Matt Borland
Last season's stats: 23rd in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, one
top five, four top 10s and $4,478,770 in earnings
2006 review: Jarrett ended a long and successful stay at Robert Yates Racing
with only one top-five finish in a season that was hard on the entire
operation. Jarrett, the 1999 series champion, led only eight laps all year.
2007 preview: Sponsor UPS followed Jarrett to Toyota and Michael Waltrip
Racing, where he signed a two-year deal. Jarrett's Camry will carry No. 44 --
half of his previous No. 88 at RYR.
KYLE PETTY
Date of birth: June 2, 1960
Hometown: Randleman, N.C.
Car: No. 45 Wells Fargo/Marathon Oil/Tire Kingdom Dodge Charger
Team: Petty Enterprises
Crew chief: Billy Wilburn
Last season's stats: 32nd in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, two top 10s and $3,655,540 in earnings
2006 review: While devoting much of his time to the Victory Junction Gang
Camp -- a resort of sorts for chronically ill children -- Petty scored two
top-10 finishes with Evernham power under the hood.
2007 preview: Securing himself a spot in the top 35 in car owner points is
critical for Petty, who might be faced with missing a race or two with the
infusion of several new cars. Robbie Loomis, the vice president of
competition, has Petty Enterprises headed in the right direction.
JIMMIE JOHNSON
Date of birth: Sept. 17, 1975
Hometown: El Cajon, Calif.
Car: No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Crew chief: Chad Kanus
Last season's stats: First in points with 36 starts, one pole, five wins, 13
top fives, 24 top 10s and $8,909,140 in earnings
2006 review: Johnson fell short in the championship battle so many times
before, but not this time. Instead, Johnson and the No. 48 team rose to the
occasion and claimed the Nextel Cup. He led the series in top 10s and posted
five consecutive top-two finishes in the Chase.
2007 preview: The former off-road racer is primed for a repeat. Johnson,
crew chief Knaus and sponsor Lowe's have been together since the team
started in 2002, and they're all signed through 2010.
MIKE BLISS
Date of birth: April 5, 1965
Hometown: Milwaukie, Ore.
Car: No. 49 WhatsOnline.com Dodge Charger
Team: BAM Racing
Crew chief: Lee McCall
Last season's stats: 48th in points with six starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, no top 10s and $471,458 in earnings
2006 review: Bliss ran the full Craftsman Truck schedule, finishing 11th in
points with one victory. He also ran eight Busch Series events and was a
late fill-in with BAM Racing on the Nextel Cup level.
2007 preview: It remains to be seen if BAM Racing will participate in the
full Nextel Cup schedule, so Bliss most likely will dabble in all three of
NASCAR's top touring divisions.
MICHAEL WALTRIP
Date of birth: April 30, 1963
Hometown: Owensboro, Ky.
Car: No. 55 NAPA Toyota Camry
Team: Michael Waltrip Racing
Crew chief: David Hyder
Last season's stats: 37th in points with 33 starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, no top 10s and $2,971,980 in earnings
2006 review: It was a lame-duck season for Waltrip. He puttered around the
track in a Doug Bawel-fielded Dodge and missed three races. The 37th-place
finish in points was a career worst.
2007 preview: Waltrip begins a new chapter in his racing career. The
three-car Michael Waltrip Racing team debuts, with Waltrip piloting one
Toyota Camry alongside veteran Dale Jarrett and rookie David Reutimann.
BORIS SAID
Date of birth: Sept. 18, 1962
Hometown: Carlsbad, Calif.
Car: No. 60 SoBe No Fear Energy Drink Ford Fusion
Team: No Fear Racing
Crew chief: Frank Stoddard
Last season's stats: 47th in points with four starts, one pole, no wins, one
top five, two top 10s and $429,000 in earnings
2006 review: Said, a road-racing specialist, entered only four races with
the new No Fear Racing team. He finished ninth at Sonoma and followed it up
with a pole and fourth-place effort in July at Daytona.
2007 preview: With help from what Said termed as Jack Roush's "black book"
of setup and technical information, Said plans to run at least seven events
-- the restrictor-plate and road-course races.
JEFF GREEN
Date of birth: Sept. 6, 1962
Hometown: Owensboro, Ky.
Car: No. 66 Best Buy/Sandisk/Microsoft Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Haas CNC Racing
Crew chief: Harold Holly
Last season's stats: 28th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, two top 10s and $3,767,750 in earnings
2006 review: Green was hardly a factor in the Haas/CNC Racing machine. He
finished 25th or worse 17 times, and the others weren't much better.
2007 preview: Green, the 2000 Busch Series champion, should benefit from
Haas/CNC adding a second car with Johnny Sauter at the wheel. Can Green run
well on a weekly basis? Probably not.
JOHNNY SAUTER
Date of birth: May 1, 1978
Hometown: Necedah, Wis.
Car: No. 70 Yellow Transportation Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Haas CNC Racing
Crew chief: Robert Barker
Last season's stats: 77th in points with one start, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, no top 10s and $85,750 in earnings
2006 review: The youngest in Wisconsin's famed Sauter family, Johnny Sauter
performed well in the Busch Series. He ended up eighth in the standings
while battling Nextel Cup's top drivers week after week.
2007 preview: Sauter returns to Nextel Cup full-time after a failed attempt
with Richard Childress Racing in 2004. Sponsor Yellow Transportation makes
the leap with its driver.
KENNY WALLACE
Date of birth: Aug. 23, 1963
Hometown: St. Louis
Car: No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Furniture Row Racing
Crew chief: Jay Guy
Last season's stats: 43rd in points with 17 starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, no top 10s and $1,386,820 in earnings
2006 review: Wallace ran a part-time schedule with the new Furniture Row
Racing team and never finished better than 25th. He also was a regular in
the Busch Series, driving to an 11th-place finish in points for owner Greg
Pollex.
2007 preview: Wallace is not allowed to compete in the Busch Series without
his team's permission and welcomes Guy as crew chief.
BRIAN VICKERS
Date of birth: Oct. 24, 1983
Hometown: Thomasville, N.C.
Car: No. 83 Red Bull Toyota Camry
Team: Team Red Bull
Crew chief: Doug Richert
Last season's stats: 15th in points with 36 starts, one pole, one win, five
top fives, nine top 10s and $3,917,680 in earnings
2006 review: A rising star at Hendrick Motorsports, Vickers earned his first
Nextel Cup victory in controversial fashion when he knocked Dale Earnhardt
Jr. and teammate Jimmie Johnson from the lead on the last lap at Talladega.
2007 preview: Vickers, the 2003 Busch Series champion, left Hendrick for the
big bucks of Toyota and Team Red Bull -- the two-car organization owned and
sponsored by the Austrian energy drink. Crew chief Richert was lured away
from Greg Biffle's car at Roush Racing.
A.J. ALLMENDINGER
Date of birth: Dec. 16, 1981
Hometown: Los Gatos, Calif.
Car: No. 84 Red Bull Toyota Camry
Team: Team Red Bull
Crew chief: Ricky Viers
Last season's stats: No starts in Nextel Cup
2006 review: It was quite the year. Allmendinger started the Champ Car World
Series season with RuSPORT Racing, was fired, quickly hired by Forsythe
Championship Racing and proceeded to win five races. With no NASCAR
experience, Allmendinger made three Craftsman Truck starts, finishing 13th,
fifth and 34th.
2007 preview: Married in January, Allmendinger is solely focused on his new
role with startup Team Red Bull. The 27-year-old must quickly adjust to the
heavier, less-nimble Toyota Camry.
RICKY RUDD
Date of birth: Sept. 12, 1956
Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.
Car: No. 88 Snickers Ford Fusion
Team: Robert Yates Racing
Crew chief: Butch Hylton
Last season's stats: No starts in Nextel Cup
2006 review: Rudd sat out the 2006 campaign after spending three seasons
with the Wood Brothers. He last won at Sonoma in 2002.
2007 preview: Rudd returns to Robert Yates Racing, where he spent three
seasons from 2000-2002. Together, Rudd and Yates won three races together,
and Rudd will be called upon heavily to guide along inexperienced teammate
David Gilliland.
TONY RAINES
Date of birth: April 14, 1964
Hometown: LaPorte, Ind.
Car: No. 96 Texas Instruments DLP Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Team: Hall of Fame Racing
Crew chief: Brandon Thomas
Last season's stats: 35th in points with 29 starts, no poles, no wins, no
top fives, one top 10 and $2,358,230 in earnings
2006 review: Raines made the most of his opportunity with Hall of Fame
Racing, a team owned by former NFL quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Roger
Staubach. He missed the first five races while Terry Labonte drove because
of the champion's provisional he brought to the team and the two road-course
events.
2007 preview: Raines did enough to earn himself the No. 96 seat full-time.
The second-year team can only improve and hopes to field a second Chevrolet
in car of tomorrow races.
CARL EDWARDS
Date of birth: Aug. 15, 1979
Hometown: Columbia, Mo.
Car: No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion
Team: Roush Racing
Crew chief: Bob Osbourne
Last season's stats: 12th in points with 36 starts, no poles, no wins, 10
top fives, 20 top 10s and $4,578,930 in earnings
2006 review: In 2005 -- his first full season -- Edwards came on strong,
winning four races and finishing third in the championship. But Edwards
suffered through a second-year slump where he failed to win despite several
strong showings.
2007 preview: Crew chief Osbourne returned to the No. 99 late in 2006, and
the move should make an immediate impact. There's no reason to think the
young and buff Edwards won't rebound this season.
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