from about.com

The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season is right around the corner. This season features some changes in NASCAR that you need to know about before the cars hit the track in Daytona. Here is everything that you need to know about the upcoming 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season.

1) Toyota Makes Its NEXTEL Cup Debut

The Toyota Camry will make its NEXTEL Cup debut in 2007. This “foreign” entry into America’s number one motorsports series has fans riled up. Many fans believe that Toyota has no place in NASCAR.

Toyota entered the Craftsman Truck Series in 2004 and won the championship in 2006. Will they be able to climb to the top of the NEXTEL Cup Series standings that quickly? Toyota has extremely deep pockets and will spend whatever money it takes to win in NASCAR.

More: Toyota To Enter NEXTEL Cup in 2007

2) 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Schedule

You can’t be a NASCAR fan if you don’t know where they are racing this week. The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup schedule is nearly identical to the 2006 schedule with only a couple of very minor tweaks. Here is the full listing of 2007 NEXTEL Cup events.

More: The Full Schedule

3) More Points Are Now Awarded For Winning A Race

NASCAR wanted to increase the incentive for drivers to race for the win instead of coasting around and settling for a solid finish. For 2007 NASCAR made some changes to the NEXTEL Cup series points. They increased the points awarded to the winner by five points.

NASCAR also changed the way that The Chase drivers are seeded to start The Chase. Now regular season race wins give you a head start in The Chase as each regular season win is worth ten additional points.

More: How The NASCAR Point System Works

4) Car Of Tomorrow Will Debut In Bristol

NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow will make its debut at Bristol on March 25th and be used for a total of 16 races this year. This is an entirely different race car design. Created over the last five-plus years to be safer, more competitive and cheaper for the race teams.

More: What Is The Car Of Tomorrow?

5) Six Rookies To Run For Raybestos Rookie Of The Year Honors

Six new NEXTEL Cup drivers will compete full-time for the 2007 Raybestos Rookie Of The Year title. These drivers bring a variety of racing experience into the NEXTEL Cup series. In 2006 Denny Hamlin set the bar high for NEXTEL Cup rookies with two points wins and an amazing third place finish in the points. Can any of this year’s rookies match Hamlin’s impressive performance?

More: Rookie Preview And Predictions

6) The Chase Now Includes Twelve Drivers

Since The Chase format was announced in 2004 the top ten drivers in points competed over the final ten races of the season to determine the Championship. In 2007 the number of drivers qualifying for The Chase has been increased to twelve. This will help ensure that all of NASCAR’s top stars qualify for The Chase. This is good for ticket sales and TV ratings as more fans will tune in if their driver has a shot at the Cup.

More: NASCAR Announces The Change

7) NBC No Longer Televises NASCAR As ESPN Returns

NASCAR’s new eight year television contract takes effect in 2007 with some important changes for fans. NBC, which many fans disliked, no longer has any NASCAR coverage. 2007’s points races will begin with Fox, continue with TNT, and finish up with a combination of ABC and ESPN.

More: 2007 NASCAR Television Package

Juan Pablo Montoya Brings His Talents To NASCAR

Juan Pablo Montoya has been successful in every type of motorsport he has ever tried. In 1999 he won the CART Rookie Of The Year and the CART Championship in the same year. The following year he won the Indianapolis 500. The year after that he moved to Formula 1 and won his first race that same season. and

Juan Pablo Montoya is an incredibly talented race car driver. Will his skills translate to NASCAR? If car owner Chip Ganassi can put winning equipment under him I think JPM will be a star in a very short time.

More: Juan Pablo Montoya Profile

9) Many Drivers Have Switched Seats For 2007

As the NEXTEL Cup teams start the 2007 season there are 18 drivers working with unfamiliar teams. This number is higher than normal because of the addition of Toyota to NEXTEL Cup. The new teams caused a domino effect as some top names jumped to the Toyota camp. Then their old seats were filled which left empty space and so on. It is going to take a few weeks before I figure out who is driving what this year.

More: Silly Season Shuffles 07 Seats

10) Mark Martin Still Has Not Retired From NEXTEL Cup

Originally Mark Martin announced that 2005 would be his last full season in NEXTEL Cup racing. Then Jack Roush was cought up in a silly season struggle that left him one driver short. Mark agreed to stay on for one more year.

Now 2007 finds him leaving Jack Roush Racing after 19 years to go drive part time for Ginn Racing. Mark is scheduled to run 22 races in the Ginn Racing #01 U.S. Army car. Mark will also be helping mentor rookie Regan Smith who will be driving the car for the other 16 NEXTEL Cup races.

More: Mark Martin Bio

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Gatorade Duels Finalize 2007 Daytona 500 Starting Lineup
The Daytona 500 has a unique qualifying process where the majority of the starting positions are determined by a pair of 150-mile qualifying races called the Gatorade Duels. 35 drivers are guaranteed a starting position based on their 2006 car owner points. Only two cars out of nine per race can race their way in. The 2007 Gatorade Duels were exciting as the battle to qualify for the race came right down to the wire in both Duels.

2007 Daytona 500 Central
It has been called The Great American Race and The Super Bowl of NASCAR. No matter what you call it there is no doubt that the Daytona 500 is the biggest, most-prestigous event on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup calendar. Here is the complete 2007 Daytona 500 wrapped up in one easy to digest package.

Things You Need To Know About The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Season
The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season is right around the corner. This season features some changes in NASCAR that you need to know about before the cars hit the track in Daytona. Here is everything that you need to know about the upcoming 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season.

2007 Raybestos Rookie of the Year Contenders - An Uphill Battle
The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Raybestos Rookie of the Year battle contains six full-time drivers. These six drivers come from various backgrounds and are moving into a broad range of equipment. The teams range from low-budget startups to a top-tier team that made The Chase in 2006. Here are the 2007 NEXTEL Cup Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates.

NASCAR Changes The Chase, Increases Incentive For Winning Races
NASCAR recently announced some big changes for the 2007 season. These changes affect both the point system and the Chase for the Cup format. After three years in review NASCAR is heading further down the path that they started with their 2004 points changes. The result is more Chasers and more incentive to win.

2007 Is a Key Season for NASCAR
The 2007 NASCAR Nextel cup season could be a turning point for the sport. The 2006 season saw declining television ratings and slipping attendance for most events. NASCAR has made a number of changes for 2007. Are these changes the cure or more of the problem?

2007 NEXTEL Cup Schedule
See where the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers will be racing in 2007. This is the 2007 schedule as announced by NASCAR in August of 2006.

Toyota to Enter NASCAR NEXTEL Cup in 2007
One of the big stories for 2007 is that Toyota will be entering NEXTEL Cup and Busch series competition this year. Where did they come from? How will they do and what will it all mean for NASCAR?

Michael Waltrip Receives Record NASCAR Penalty
Today NASCAR issued it’s penalties to Michael Waltrip for issues found in pre-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500. With these penalties NASCAR set a new record for severity. The fine, points deductions, suspensions and confiscation send a clear message to competitors that NASCAR takes this type of rule violation very seriously.

NASCAR Penalizes Four Teams For Daytona Qualifying Violations
NASCAR announced today the penalties for 2007 Daytona qualifying violations. Four teams are affected as NASCAR laid down some of the biggest penalties in the sport’s history.

Daytona 500 Qualifying Sees All-Yates Front Row
The Daytona 500 has a unique qualifying format that only locks in the top two drivers in time trials. The rest of the 61 drivers vying for 43 starting spots will be determined on Thursday but Robert Yates Racing teammates David Gilliland and Ricky Rudd have their front row spots locked in for Sunday’s 2007 Daytona 500.

Tony Stewart Charges To Budweiser Shootout Win
The Budweiser Shootout is short dash-for-cash type event for pole winners from the previous season. This made-for-tv race gives race fans a brief preview of next week’s Daytona 500 and drivers a little extra drafting practice. The 2007 Budweiser Shootout was uneventful as Tony Stewart had a firm command of the race.

at Daytona 500 on February 14, 1960 Rollbars, Seat Belts and Helmets saved the day at the 2nd Daytona 500

at Daytona 500 on February 14, 1960 Rollbars, Seat Belts and Helmets saved the day at the 2nd Daytona 500

Orbitz 300 Race Results

via Yahoo News

Michael Waltrip apologized Thursday for his team’s role in NASCAR’s biggest cheating scandal, saying he was so embarrassed he almost pulled out of Daytona 500 preparations.

The two-time Daytona 500 winner, who lost two key crew members Wednesday when NASCAR penalized his team for using a fuel additive, said he had to be talked into racing by his wife and Toyota officials who are seething that Waltrip tainted their Nextel Cup debut.

“I didn’t want to damage the integrity of the sport further by going out there and having people think, ‘What’s he doing out there?’” Waltrip said. “I came real close to not running today.”

Waltrip needs to race his way into NASCAR’s premier event in a qualifying race Thursday.

After his car failed inspection Sunday, Waltrip said he was devastated when his 9-year-old wondered why her father had cheated.

“That will hurt you pretty bad,” Waltrip said. “I’m ready to bear all responsibility for what happened. You can’t hurt me any worse than I am right now.”

Waltrip’s team was one of five busted for breaking the rules before the season opener — the sport’s most significant crackdown on cheating and a clear message the sanctioning body no longer will tolerate teams breaking the rules.

“It’s been rough on everybody; we’re here to celebrate a race,” said NASCAR competition director Robin Pemberton. “Instead, we’re busy dealing with all of this.”

Waltrip’s crew chief and team director were suspended indefinitely after a fuel additive was found during inspection. But Waltrip, docked 100 points, will be allowed to participate in Thursday’s races that determine the field for the 500.

“I don’t think we’ll ever put this behind us, but we’ll try to do better in the future,” Waltrip said.

David Hyder, his crew chief, was thrown out of the garage and fined $100,000 — the largest monetary fine in NASCAR history. Team director Bobby Kennedy also was kicked out. Scott Eggleston, who guided Waltrip to his 2001 Daytona 500 victory, will serve as Waltrip’s crew chief.

Waltrip blamed an unidentified individual or individuals within his team, adding that no one had been fired.

“We haven’t fired anyone, nor do we plan on firing anyone until we know what happened,” he said. “We’re aggressively trying to find out what happened.”

He emphasized Toyota had nothing to do with his team’s actions.

“This is my fault,” he said. “You can’t be skeptical of Toyota. You have to look straight at me.”

Waltrip started his own three-car team this season with Toyota. The Camrys have struggled with speed since January testing. The cars he fields for Dale Jarrett and David Reutimann both passed inspection. Jarrett is assured a spot in Sunday’s race because he’s a past series champion; Waltrip and Reutimann must race their way in Thursday.

“We feel that Michael did a more than adequate job of explaining his feelings to NASCAR, to the fans and to Toyota about what transpired. Obviously, we’re disillusioned,” said Toyota motorsports spokesman Les Unger. “We share in the team’s disappointment. But we feel that Michael is an individual of high character, and both he and we will move forward. We wish him all the best in today’s qualifying race.”

Waltrip’s penalties came one day after the crew chiefs for 2003 champion Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs and Elliott Sadler all were suspended. All five drivers also were docked points in an unprecedented move by NASCAR, which never before had taken points before the season.

NASCAR officials would not reveal what they found in Waltrip’s intake manifold, but a person with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press it was a property contained in jet fuel. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the details.

Although Waltrip is still trying to figure out exactly what happened, he acknowledged teams aren’t supposed to mess with the fuel.

“In theory, it was supposed to hop the fuel up and make the car go faster,” Waltrip said. “It didn’t work. It’s not supposed to be there. It’s pretty plain and simple. You don’t do those things. I thought everybody knew that.”

Pemberton said only that the substance was not jet fuel itself.

The substance was found during Sunday’s inspection. Adding the substance, described by NASCAR as an oxygenate, would boost the octane in the fuel, thus making the engine run better at higher horsepower.

Pemberton said the substance was discovered when a NASCAR official reached his hand into the manifold to feel for loose parts.

Some rival team members said they thought NASCAR should have taken away more points from Waltrip’s team, because in a sport where cheating is common, tampering with the fuel is a major no-no.

The last penalty NASCAR issued for a fuel-tampering violation was harsher than Waltrip’s. In May 2000, driver Jeremy Mayfield and team owner Michael Kranefuss each was penalized 151 points for a fuel-related violation found at Talladega Superspeedway.

“Throughout the garage area I think everybody knows you don’t mess around with tires, you don’t mess around with the engine, the restrictor plates,” Pemberton said. “Those things are very taboo.”

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Robert Yates Racing’s David Gilliland and Ricky Rudd swept the front row for the Daytona 500 in Budweiser Pole Qualifying on Sunday at historic Daytona International Speedway.

Gilliland, driver of the No. 38 M&M’s Ford, claimed the pole for “The Great American Race” on Sunday, Feb. 18 by turning a fast lap time of 48.304 seconds, 186.320 mph. He will make his first career Daytona 500 start alongside his teammate Ricky Rudd, driver of the No. 88 Snickers Ford, who posted a speed of 48.489, 185.487.

“You couldn’t ask for more as a rookie coming to Daytona for your first time,” said Gilliland, who finished a surprising second during Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout. “It’s a pleasure to be a part of it and I’m really looking forward to Sunday and the Daytona 500.”

Rudd, who took a one-year break from full-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series racing, is excited to be back in contention for the Daytona 500.

“It feels really to come back and have a chance to align ourselves with the Yates team,” said Rudd. “I like what I feel and what’s going on.”

Three drivers that were fighting for a spot in the Daytona 500 guaranteed themselves a starting position in the race by posting the three fastest speeds among the driver outside the top 35 in the previous season’s owner’s points:

· Boris Said, driver of the No. 60 SoBe No Fear Energy Drink Ford

· Sterling Marlin, driver of the No. 14 Waste Management Chevrolet

· Johnny Sauter, driver of the No. 70 Yellow Transportation/Haas Chevrolet.

The remaining teams that are outside the top 35 in owner’s points will fight over the four remaining Daytona 500 starting spots in Thursday’s Gatorade Duel At Daytona. A final Daytona 500 starting spot is reserved for a past NEXTEL Cup Series champion.

Among the drivers that will have to race their way into the Daytona 500 through the Gatorade Duel At Daytona include Michael Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Ward Burton, Joe Nemechek, Paul Menard, David Reutimann, Kirk Shelmerdine, AJ Allmendinger, Kenny Wallace, Brian Vickers, Derrike Cope and Regan Smith.

Another one that will be trying to race his way into the Daytona 500 will be 72-year old racing legend James Hylton. The former Rookie of the Year and driver of the No. 58 Retirement Living TV Chevrolet qualified 60th overall with a lap time of 50.101, 179.637.

Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 DeWalt Ford, and Kasey Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge, will start at the back of the second Gatorade Duel due to unapproved parts found during inspection.

SAN DIEGO — California Speedway president Gillian Zucker threw a heroes celebration for Nextel Cup Series Champion and California native Jimmie Johnson on Wednesday at the San Diego Hall of Champions.

Johnson was honored for his achievements and culminated with San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders declaring Jan. 31 “Jimmie Johnson Day” in San Diego.

“We are pleased to have Jimmie Johnson right here in San Diego to celebrate his 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Championship,” Sanders said. “Proclaiming January 31st ‘Jimmie Johnson Day’ in San Diego will be a lasting tribute to our native son.”

“Winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship was one of the most incredible experiences of my life,” said Johnson, who won his first Cup Series race at California Speedway in 2002. “I often forget to look back at where I started and what I have accomplished. An event like [Wednesday] helps me do that.

“Being able to come back to San Diego to celebrate with family, friends and fans here, and from my hometown of El Cajon, is truly an honor. Since it’s ‘Jimmie Johnson Day’, I’d like to tell everyone they can have the rest of the day off.”

The standing-room only crowd cheered as Johnson made a surprise entrance, driving his No. 48 Chevrolet right into the San Diego Hall of Champions. After a brief introduction, Hall president Alan R. Kidd read a special letter from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Johnson also received a special proclamation from Rick Terazzas of congressman Duncan Hunter’s office and a County Proclamation from supervisors Ron Roberts and Dianne Jacob.

Zucker shared highlights of Johnson’s 2006 season leading up to his Cup Series victory, and commented on how excited San Diego was to embrace Johnson’s return.

“California Speedway couldn’t resist the opportunity to bring Jimmie to his hometown to celebrate,” Zucker said. “Jimmie’s integrity, professionalism and grit, on top of the fact that he’s a great driver, give him the heart and spirit of a true champion. There is no question, we as Southern Californians are very lucky to call him our own.”

Nextel Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson was honored Monday in Washington, D.C. for his 2006 championship.

The day began with an Oval Office meeting with President George W. Bush, who congratulated Johnson on his victory. Johnson was joined by team owner Rick Hendrick, Lowe’s Corporation CEO Robert Niblock, NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France and NASCAR president Mike Helton.

Following the White House visit, the group made its way up Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol building where they were greeted by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

After that meeting, Johnson and the group made their way across the Capitol for a Senate reception led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Also in attendance to congratulate Johnson was Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.).