2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was the 61st season of the NASCAR Cup Series. The season began with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15 and ended with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22.

2009 was the first season without NASCAR legends Dale Jarrett (since 1985) and Kyle Petty (since 1978) after they both retired following the 2008 season. It was also, significantly, the first in Cup Series history in which no Petty family driver competed during the season.

Changes
Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing merged to form Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing
 * Due to a poor economy 5 teams merged:

Petty Enterprises and Gillett Evernham Motorsports to form Richard Petty Motorsports

Tony Stewart co-ownership with Haas CNC Racing to form Stewart Haas Racing.
 * 5 teams will debut this season: Tommy Baldwin Racing,Prism Motorsports,#64 (owned by Larry Gunselman), #41 (owned by Jeremy Mayfield) and Nationwide Series team JTG Daugherty Racing will make its fulltime Cup debut.

Complete schedule
Because of the merger of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. with Chip Ganassi Racing, the No. 01 and No. 15 teams closed after the 2008 season. However, the owners' points from the No. 15 were transferred to the No. 34, while points from either the No. 01 or No. 41 was transferred to the No. 07, with the No. 33 car, owned by Richard Childress, receiving the other. (NASCAR allows for a transfer if the original owner maintains some stake in the team to which points are transferred.) 2009 also saw the demise of Petty Enterprises, which merged with Gillette Evernham Motorsports. The new company would be called Richard Petty Motorsports, forming a 4 car team with Kasey Kahne in the No. 9, Elliott Sadler in the No. 19, Reed Sorenson driving the famed No. 43, and A. J. Allmendinger driving the No. 44. Also Bill Davis Racing was bought by Triad Racing, however the No. 22 was bought by Penske Racing with Bill Davis holding minority interest. The No. 22's points were transferred to the No. 77, thus guaranteeing that car a spot in the Daytona 500 should all other transfers occur. There were 41 full-time teams in 2009.

Schedule
The most significant schedule changes in the 2009 NASCAR schedule realignment included the addition the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway to the 2009 Chase, the shifting of the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway to a later autumn date, and the placement of the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway to Labor Day weekend as a night race. Additionally, there was a fourth off-week between the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and the Pep Boys 500. The schedule changes are listed in boldface on the chart below.

USA
In their third year of the current NASCAR television agreement, Fox carried the Bud Shootout, the Daytona 500 and the first 13 races through Dover's June race. Fox-owned Speed Channel aired the Gatorade Duels and Sprint All Star Race XXV. TNT then picked up the next six races starting at Pocono including the summer race at Daytona, the Coke Zero 400 with its "wide open format" coverage and ending at Chicago. The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard started ESPN/ABC's coverage, including the entire Chase for the Sprint Cup on ABC.

New to Fox telecasts was 3-D CGI animated adventures of "Digger", the network's gopher cam mascot and his friends, Annie, Marbles, Grandpa and rival Lumpy Wheels (named after former Lowe's Motor Speedway chief Humpy Wheeler). According to Digger's backstory, created by Fox Sports chairman David Hill, Digger lives underground at Talladega Superspeedway. The characters were also used in segues into and out of commercial breaks. However, Digger later became a harbor of criticism, as well as what most have cited as a cause of a deeper ratings decline than in years past, adding to already lower-than-normal ratings. More is mentioned here.

Hours before the July New Hampshire race on TNT, Bill Weber was removed from the broadcast booth and replaced by Ralph Sheheen for undisclosed personal reasons. TNT and NASCAR announced on July 1 that Sheheen would replace Weber for the final two races on TNT at Daytona and Chicagoland.

The annual changes at ABC/ESPN continue. Mike Massaro became a third host of NASCAR Now on ESPN2; Vince Welch replaced Massaro on pit road and Marty Reid is doing selected Nationwide Series events as well. But ESPN continues to face heavy criticism from NASCAR fans in result of bored announcers, bad camera work, excessive commercials and lack of post-race coverage.

On radio, Sirius XM Radio will carry all races in the series. Terrestrial radio rights are being handled as follows:
 * Motor Racing Network will carry races at tracks owned by their corporate sibling, International Speedway Corporation as well as the races at Dover and Pocono and the All-Star Race at Lowe's;
 * Speedway Motorsports, Inc.-owned Performance Racing Network will carry events from those SMI tracks, and will jointly produce the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network.

Speed (replacing ESPN Classic) and MRN will be the broadcasters at the annual Sprint Cup Banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel Casino in said city on December 4. Las Vegas replaces New York City as the host after 27 years there, 26 of the banquets being staged in The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel.

Other North American channels
In Canada, TSN and TSN 2 covered the 2009 season.

International
In Australia, Fox Sports showed all of the Sprint Cup races live across their networks. Network Ten also showed Qualifying, Final Practice (Happy Hour), a 1-hour highlights package and selected races live on its new digital sports multichannel, ONE.

In Portugal, all races this season were telecast on SportTv 3, while in Sweden, Viasat Motor televised the races. In nearby Finland, Urheilu+Kanava telecasted the season's events, and in Great Britain and Ireland, the whole season was again telecasted on Sky Sports, in Spain Teledeporte televised six races of the season live.

In Latin America all the races were broadcast on Speed Latin America (Fox Latin American Channels). They did not telecast practices or qualifying.

Ratings
NASCAR on Fox saw an 11% decrease in TV ratings for the first 13 races of 2009. Fox's NASCAR season suffered from a trio of negative on-track trends: more cautions, fewer lead changes, and lower average speeds. 649 laps were run under caution on Fox this season, a +15% increase over last year. Put another way, there was one caution flag for every 40 miles of racing this season. Last year it was one every 45 miles, in Fox's first NASCAR season (2001) it was one every 63 miles. Ten years ago it was one every 72 miles. Lead changes were down this year, with one coming every 20 miles compared to last year's once every 17 miles. That's at least one extra lap between lead changes, sometimes more. Average speed, which is obviously tied to number of cautions, was also down this year. This year's average speed during Fox races was 118 mph. Last year it was 124 mph. In 2001 it was 128 mph, and in 1999, before Fox arrived on the scene, it was 130 mph.

NASCAR on TNT saw the first and to date only increase in TV ratings at New Hampshire, up 2.5% from 2008. Ratings remained the same from 2008 at Michigan, but saw a decrease in ratings at its other races. Overall, TNT saw an 8% decrease in ratings from 2008.

Budweiser Shootout
The Budweiser Shootout, ran on February 7, is an exhibition race that traditionally is contested by all pole winners from the previous season. This year however, after an announcement made during the previous season, the top six teams from each competing manufacturer based on 2008 owner's points, plus a wild card entry from each manufacturer would be entered to run this race. Paul Menard drew the pole.

Top 10 results


 * 1) 29 – Kevin Harvick
 * 2) 26 – Jamie McMurray
 * 3) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 4) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 5) 44 – A. J. Allmendinger
 * 6) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 7) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 8) 17 – Matt Kenseth
 * 9) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 10) 18 – Kyle Busch

Gatorade Duels
The Gatorade Duels, held on February 12, are a pair of qualifying races to set the field for the Daytona 500.

Race 1 results
 * 1) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 2) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 3) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 4) 20 – Joey Logano
 * 5) 8 – Aric Almirola
 * 6) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 7) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 8) 36 – Scott Riggs
 * 9) 98 – Paul Menard
 * 10) 26 – Jamie McMurray

Race 2 results
 * 1) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 2) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 3) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 4) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 5) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 6) 96 – Bobby Labonte
 * 7) 88 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
 * 8) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 9) 41 – Jeremy Mayfield
 * 10) 44 – A. J. Allmendinger

2009 Daytona 500
The 2009 Daytona 500 was held on February 15. Martin Truex Jr. qualified on the pole. On lap 152, the race was halted because of rain and when NASCAR determined they could not get the race restarted, the race was called official.

Top 10 results Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 08 – Boris Said, No. 09 – Brad Keselowski, No. 27 – Kirk Shelmerdine, No. 71 – Mike Wallace, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 23 – Mike Skinner, No. 51 – Kelly Bires, No. 46 – Carl Long, No. 64 – Geoffrey Bodine, No. 57 – Norm Benning, No. 60 – James Hylton (withdrew)
 * 1) 17 – Matt Kenseth
 * 2) 29 – Kevin Harvick
 * 3) 44 – A. J. Allmendinger
 * 4) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 5) 19 – Elliott Sadler
 * 6) 6 – David Ragan
 * 7) 55 – Michael Waltrip
 * 8) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 9) 43 – Reed Sorenson
 * 10) 2 – Kurt Busch

Auto Club 500
The Auto Club 500 was run on February 22 at Auto Club Speedway. Brian Vickers won the pole for this race, but had to start in the back of the field due to an engine change. Despite the caution flag coming out for rain on 4 occasions, NASCAR was still able to complete this race in its entirety. Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag and became the first driver since Jeff Gordon in 1997 to start off a Cup season by winning the first two races of the year.

Top 10 results Failed To Qualify: No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 51 – David Starr, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 09 – Sterling Marlin
 * 1) 17 – Matt Kenseth
 * 2) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 4) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 5) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 6) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 7) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 8) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 9) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 10) 83 – Brian Vickers

Shelby 427
The Shelby 427 was run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1. Normally this race is 267 laps and 400 miles long, but for this year's running, Carroll Shelby International took over the title sponsorship of the race and decided to run the race 27 miles longer in honor of the Shelby 427 sports car. Kyle Busch qualified on the pole for the race, but had to start in the back due to an engine change. Busch would rally in the last part of the race to win from the pole.

Top 10 results Failed To Qualify: No. 28 – Travis Kvapil, No. 66 – Dave Blaney, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No. 36 – Scott Riggs, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 51 – Dexter Bean
 * 1) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 2) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 3) 31 – Jeff Burton
 * 4) 00 – David Reutimann
 * 5) 96 – Bobby Labonte
 * 6) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 7) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 8) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 9) 26 – Jamie McMurray
 * 10) 88 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Kobalt Tools 500
The Kobalt Tools 500 was held on March 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. Kurt Busch started on the outside front row from second place and would go on to lead 234 laps on his way to a dominating win. This race was extended from 325 to 330 laps due to a Green-White-Checkered finish.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 2) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 4) 29 – Kevin Harvick
 * 5) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 6) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 7) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 8) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 9) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 10) 1 – Martin Truex Jr.

Failed to qualify: No. 35 – Todd Bodine, No. 36 – Scott Riggs, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 64 – Geoffrey Bodine, No. 37 – Tony Raines

Food City 500
The Food City 500 was held on March 22 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mark Martin started on the pole. One week after Kurt Busch dominated at Atlanta, his brother Kyle Busch would dominate this race. Kyle Busch led 378 of the races 503 laps despite starting mid pack in 19th place. This race was extended to 503 laps from its scheduled 500 due to a Green-White-Checkered finish.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 2) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 3) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 4) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 5) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 6) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 7) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 8) 31 – Jeff Burton
 * 9) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 10) 47 – Marcos Ambrose

Failed to qualify: No. 36 – Scott Riggs, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield

Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500
The Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on March 29. Qualifying was rained out and points were used to set the field. Jeff Gordon would be given the pole starting spot as a result. Denny Hamlin led the bulk of the laps, leading 296 of 500. Jimmie Johnson however, would hold off a hard charging Hamlin and give car owner Rick Hendrick an emotional win as Hendrick Motorsports was celebrating their 25th anniversary of the organization's first win right at this very track.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 2) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 3) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 4) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 5) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 6) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 7) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 8) 88 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
 * 9) 44 – A. J. Allmendinger
 * 10) 26 – Jamie McMurray

Failed to qualify: No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 46 – Dennis Setzer, No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 73 – Mike Garvey (withdrew)

Samsung 500
The Samsung 500 was held on Sunday April 5, at Texas Motor Speedway. David Reutimann won the pole. Jeff Gordon would hold on from a hard charging Jimmie Johnson who was cutting into Gordon's lead and take the victory. This was Jeff Gordon's first career victory at Texas.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 2) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 3) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 4) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 5) 17 – Matt Kenseth
 * 6) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 7) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 8) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 9) 31 – Jeff Burton
 * 10) 99 – Carl Edwards

Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 82 – Scott Speed, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 36 – Scott Riggs

Subway Fresh Fit 500
The Subway Fresh Fit 500 was run on Saturday, April 18, at Phoenix International Raceway. Mark Martin started on the pole, led 157 of the race's 312 laps, and went on to become the fourth driver in Cup Series history to win a points race over the age of 50.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 2) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 3) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 4) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 5) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 6) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 7) 1 – Martin Truex, Jr.
 * 8) 00 – David Reutimann
 * 9) 77 – Sam Hornish, Jr.
 * 10) 99 – Carl Edwards

Failed to qualify: No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield, No. 51 – Dexter Bean, No. 02 – Brandon Ash, No. 06 – Trevor Boys

Aaron's 499
The Aaron's 499 was run on Sunday, April 26, at Talladega Superspeedway. Juan Pablo Montoya won the pole. This race is forever remembered for the final lap. The tandem duo of Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. were running first and second coming to the white flag when another tandem duo of Carl Edwards and Nationwide Series regular Brad Keselowski drafted and blew right by Newman and Earnhardt, Jr., breaking away down the back straightaway to settle the race among themselves. Coming into the tri oval, Brad Keselowski started to peak outside, causing Edwards to react high when Keselowski quickly turned back into the inside finding some room and some momentum to start making a pass down to the inside. Edwards tried to block Keselowski but when Brad's front end made contact with Carl's back end, it turned Carl Edward's car side ways, causing the back end of his car to lift before being slammed into from the oncoming car of Ryan Newman. The impact sent Carl Edward's car crashing up into the catch fence that separates the fans from the action. Brad Keselowski took the checkered flag to win his first career Sprint Cup Series race in just his 5th start.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 09 – Brad Keselowski
 * 2) 88 – Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 3) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 4) 47 – Marcos Ambrose
 * 5) 82 – Scott Speed
 * 6) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 7) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 8) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 9) 20 – Joey Logano
 * 10) 31 – Jeff Burton

Failed to qualify: No. 66 – Michael McDowell, No. 4 – Eric McClure, No. 64 – Geoffrey Bodine


 * Not only was this Brad Keselowski's first career win in the Sprint Cup Series, it was also car owner James Finch's first and only career win in the series as well.
 * After Carl Edwards car came to a stop from his last lap crash just short of the finish line, Edwards got out of his car and physically ran from the wreckage to across the finish line, paying homage to the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Edwards was officially credited with a 24th-place finish, completing 187 of 188 laps.

Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400
The Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400 was held on Saturday, May 2 at Richmond International Raceway. Brian Vickers won the pole.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 2) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 3) 31 – Jeff Burton
 * 4) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 5) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 6) 77 – Sam Hornish, Jr.
 * 7) 26 – Jamie McMurray
 * 8) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 9) 07 – Casey Mears
 * 10) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya

Failed to qualify: No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 06 – Trevor Boys

Southern 500 Presented by GoDaddy.Com
The Southern 500 Presented by GoDaddy.com was held at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 9. Matt Kenseth won the pole.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 2) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 3) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 4) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 5) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 6) 1 – Martin Truex, Jr.
 * 7) 25 – Brad Keselowski
 * 8) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 9) 20 – Joey Logano
 * 10) 17 – Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: No. 41 – Jeremy Mayfield*, No. 82 – Scott Speed, No. 64 – Geoffrey Bodine (withdrew)


 * First time since 1999 that Mark Martin won multiple races in a single season.
 * Jeremy Mayfield had already failed to make the field, but just a few short hours before the start of the race, it had been announced that Mayfield had been suspended by NASCAR for violating its substance abuse policy.
 * Scott Speed would race after Joe Nemechek gave up his seat.

Sprint All-Star Race XXV
The 2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is a non-points event, held on Saturday, May 16, at the Lowe's Motor Speedway. Sam Hornish, Jr. won the Sprint Showdown race prior to the start of the All-Star Race, allowing him and runner up Jamie McMurray to transfer into the main event. Joey Logano won the fan vote that also lets one driver not eligible to run the All-Star race to make the event on account of a popular vote by the fans. Jimmie Johnson led the first 50 laps in the event before the lead switched back and forth between Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon. Matt Kenseth would take the lead on lap 95, but with four laps to go Tony Stewart pulled up alongside in what was an exciting battle for the lead. Stewart would overtake Kenseth with two laps to go and hold on for the race win.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 2) 17 – Matt Kenseth
 * 3) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 4) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 5) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 6) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 7) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 8) 20 – Joey Logano
 * 9) 26 – Jamie McMurray
 * 10) 88 – Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Coca-Cola 600
The 50th Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR's longest race of the season, was scheduled to run on Sunday, May 24, but due to rain the race was postponed to Monday, May 25 on Memorial Day. Ryan Newman won the pole. On lap 222, rain hit the track throwing out the yellow flag. When drivers and teams decided on pit strategy in the ensuing couple laps, David Reutimann chose to stay out on the track, inheriting the race lead. The race was stopped on lap 227 and never restarted. Reutimann was declared the winner.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 00 – David Reutimann
 * 2) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 3) 7 – Robby Gordon
 * 4) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 5) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 6) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 7) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 8) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 9) 20 – Joey Logano
 * 10) 17 – Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: No. 41 – J. J. Yeley, No. 73 – Mike Garvey, No. 64 – Todd Bodine, No. 06 – David Starr


 * This was David Reutimann's first career Sprint Cup Series victory.
 * The win was also the first for Michael Waltrip Racing and for Michael Waltrip as an owner.
 * This was the shortest running of the Coca-Cola 600 in the race's history.
 * Due to the race being held on Memorial Day, on lap 163, or at 3:00 pm EDT, NASCAR threw the caution flag and then momentarily threw the red flag and stopped the race to hold a moment of silence in honor of those who died serving in the United States Military.

Autism Speaks 400
The Autism Speaks 400 was held at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, May 31. David Reutimann won the pole for the race. Jimmie Johnson was the class of the field, leading 298 of 400 laps. Johnson would pass Tony Stewart with a couple laps to go and take the win.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 2) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 3) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 4) 17 – Matt Kenseth
 * 5) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 6) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 7) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 8) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 9) 07 – Casey Mears
 * 10) 5 – Mark Martin

Failed to qualify: No. 25 – Brad Keselowski, No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 06 – David Starr, No. 41 – J. J. Yeley (withdrew), No. 64 – Todd Bodine (withdrew)

Pocono 500
The Pocono 500 was held on Sunday, June 7 at Pocono Raceway. Tony Stewart won the pole. He came from the rear of the field due to starting in a backup car after crashing in practice. And Stewart also won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 2) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 3) 00 – David Reutimann
 * 4) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 5) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 6) 47 – Marcos Ambrose
 * 7) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 8) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 9) 31 – Jeff Burton
 * 10) 77 – Sam Hornish, Jr.

Failed to qualify: No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 64 – Mike Wallace, No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 06 – Trevor Boys (withdrew)

Lifelock 400
The LifeLock 400 was held on Sunday, June 14 at Michigan International Speedway. Brian Vickers took the pole but Mark Martin won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 2) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 4) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 5) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 6) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 7) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 8) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 9) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 10) 33 – Clint Bowyer

Failed to qualify: No. 36 – Mike Skinner

Toyota/Save Mart 350
The Toyota/Save Mart 350 was held on Sunday, June 21 at Infineon Raceway. Brian Vickers took the pole but Kasey Kahne won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 2) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 3) 47 – Marcos Ambrose
 * 4) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 5) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 6) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 7) 44 – A. J. Allmendinger
 * 8) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 9) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 10) 19 – Elliott Sadler

Failed to qualify: No. 82 – Scott Speed, No. 27 – Tom Hubert, No. 37 – Chris Cook, No. 36 – Brian Simo, No. 87 – Joe Nemechek (qualified but was replaced by Scott Speed)

Lenox Industrial Tools 301
The Lenox Industrial Tools 301 was held on Sunday, June 28 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Tony Stewart took the pole but Joey Logano won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 20 – Joey Logano
 * 2) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 4) 00 – David Reutimann
 * 5) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 6) 09 – Brad Keselowski
 * 7) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 8) 77 – Sam Hornish, Jr.
 * 9) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 10) 9 – Kasey Kahne

Failed to qualify: No. 51 – Dexter Bean, No. 27 – Ted Christopher, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)

Coke Zero 400
The Coke Zero 400 was held on Saturday, July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. Tony Stewart took the pole and won the race. Stewart spun Kyle Busch coming to the finish line to win the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 2) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 3) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 4) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 5) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 6) 47 – Marcos Ambrose
 * 7) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 8) 17 – Matt Kenseth
 * 9) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 10) 19 – Elliott Sadler

Failed to qualify: No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)

LifeLock.com 400
The LifeLock.com 400 was held on Saturday, July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway. Brian Vickers took the pole but Mark Martin won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 2) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 4) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 5) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 6) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 7) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 8) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 9) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 10) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya

Failed to qualify: No. 64 – Mike Wallace, No. 51 – Dexter Bean, No 37 – Tony Raines

Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
The Allstate 400 was held on Sunday, July 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mark Martin took the pole but Jimmie Johnson won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 2) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 3) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 4) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 5) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 6) 29 – Kevin Harvick
 * 7) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 8) 00 – David Reutimann
 * 9) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 10) 17 – Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No 13 – Max Papis, No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)

Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500
The Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 was held on Monday, August 3 at Pocono Raceway. Tony Stewart took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 2) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 3) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 4) 77 – Sam Hornish, Jr.
 * 5) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 6) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 7) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 8) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 9) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 10) 14 – Tony Stewart

Failed to qualify: No. 75 – Derrike Cope (withdrew)

Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen
The Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen was held on Monday, August 10 at Watkins Glen International. Jimmie Johnson took the pole but Tony Stewart won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 2) 47 – Marcos Ambrose
 * 3) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 4) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 5) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 6) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 7) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 8) 13 – Max Papis*
 * 9) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 10) 11 – Denny Hamlin

Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 36 – Brian Simo, No. 70 – David Gilliland


 * Max Papis picked up his best finish in the Cup Series and his first top-ten finish.

Carfax 400
The Carfax 400 was held on Sunday, August 16 at Michigan International Speedway. Brian Vickers took the pole and won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 2) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 88 – Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 4) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 5) 77 – Sam Hornish, Jr.
 * 6) 07 – Casey Mears
 * 7) 20 – Joey Logano
 * 8) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 9) 00 – David Reutimann
 * 10) 11 – Denny Hamlin

Failed to qualify: No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 08 – Terry Labonte (withdrew), No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)

Sharpie 500
The Sharpie 500 was held on Saturday, August 22 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mark Martin took the pole but Kyle Busch won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 2) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 3) 47 – Marcos Ambrose
 * 4) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 5) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 6) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 7) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 8) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 9) 88 – Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
 * 10) 17 – Matt Kenseth

Failed to qualify: No. 36 – Mike Skinner, No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 64 – Mike Wallace, No. 09 – Aric Almirola, No. 51 – Dexter Bean (withdrew)

Pep Boys Auto 500
The Pep Boys Auto 500 was held on Sunday, September 6 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Martin Truex Jr. took the pole but Kasey Kahne won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 2) 29 – Kevin Harvick
 * 3) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 4) 00 – David Reutimann
 * 5) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 6) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 7) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 8) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 9) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 10) 16 – Greg Biffle

Failed to qualify: No. 78 – Regan Smith, No. 36 – Patrick Carpentier, No. 37 – Tony Raines

Chevy Rock & Roll 400
The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 was held on Saturday, September 12 at Richmond International Raceway. Mark Martin took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 2) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 3) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 4) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 5) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 6) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 7) 83 – Brian Vickers
 * 8) 77 – Sam Hornish, Jr.
 * 9) 29 – Kevin Harvick
 * 10) 39 – Ryan Newman

Failed to qualify: No. 37 – Tony Raines

Sylvania 300
The Sylvania 300 was held on Sunday, September 20 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Juan Pablo Montoya took the pole but Mark Martin won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 2) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 3) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 4) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 5) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 6) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 7) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 8) 19 – Elliott Sadler
 * 9) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 10) 33 – Clint Bowyer

Failed to qualify: No. 75 – Derrike Cope, No. 51 – Dexter Bean
 * This was Martin's 40th and final victory in his Cup career.

AAA 400
The AAA 400 was held on Sunday, September 27 at Dover International Speedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole and won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 2) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 3) 17 – Matt Kenseth
 * 4) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 5) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 6) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 7) 44 – A. J. Allmendinger
 * 8) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 9) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 10) 39 – Ryan Newman

Failed to qualify: No. 4 – Scott Wimmer

Price Chopper 400
The Price Chopper 400 was held on Sunday, October 4 at Kansas Speedway. Mark Martin took the pole but Tony Stewart won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 2) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 4) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 5) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 6) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 7) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 8) 00 – David Reutimann
 * 9) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 10) 99 – Carl Edwards

Failed to qualify: No. 04 – David Gilliland, No. 36 – Michael McDowell, No. 37 – Kevin Hamlin

Pepsi 500
The Pepsi 500 was held on Sunday, October 11 at Auto Club Speedway. Denny Hamlin took the pole but Jimmie Johnson won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 2) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 3) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 4) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 5) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 6) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 7) 6 – David Ragan
 * 8) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 9) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 10) 29 – Kevin Harvick

Failed to qualify: No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 64 – Mike Wallace

NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America
The NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America was held on Saturday, October 17 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole and won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 2) 17 – Matt Kenseth
 * 3) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 4) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 5) 20 – Joey Logano
 * 6) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 7) 07 – Casey Mears
 * 8) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 9) 1 – Martin Truex Jr.
 * 10) 2 – Kurt Busch

Failed to qualify: No. 36 – Michael McDowell, No. 09 – Sterling Marlin, No. 66 – Dave Blaney, No. 37 – Travis Kvapil, No. 64 – Mike Wallace (withdrew)

Tums Fast Relief 500
The Tums Fast Relief 500 was held on Sunday, October 25 at Martinsville Speedway. Ryan Newman took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 2) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 3) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 4) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 5) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 6) 26 – Jamie McMurray
 * 7) 39 – Ryan Newman
 * 8) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 9) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 10) 29 – Kevin Harvick

Failed to qualify: No. 73 – Josh Wise, No. 75 – Derrike Cope (withdrew)

AMP Energy 500
The AMP Energy 500 was held on Sunday, November 1 at Talladega Superspeedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole but Jamie McMurray won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 26 – Jamie McMurray
 * 2) 9 – Kasey Kahne
 * 3) 20 – Joey Logano
 * 4) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 5) 31 – Jeff Burton
 * 6) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 7) 55 – Michael Waltrip
 * 8) 09 – Brad Keselowski
 * 9) 19 – Elliott Sadler
 * 10) 71 – Bobby Labonte

Failed to qualify: None, only 43 entries

Dickies 500
The Dickies 500 was held on Sunday, November 8 at Texas Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon took the pole but Kurt Busch won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 2) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 3) 17 – Matt Kenseth
 * 4) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 5) 29 – Kevin Harvick
 * 6) 14 – Tony Stewart
 * 7) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 8) 16 – Greg Biffle
 * 9) 31 – Jeff Burton
 * 10) 44 – A. J. Allmendinger

Failed to qualify: No. 37 – Tony Raines, No. 66 – Dave Blaney, No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 09 – Mike Bliss, No. 08 – Derrike Cope (withdrew)

Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
The Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 was held on Sunday, November 15 at Phoenix International Raceway. Martin Truex Jr. took the pole but Jimmie Johnson won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 2) 31 – Jeff Burton
 * 3) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 4) 5 – Mark Martin
 * 5) 1 – Martin Truex Jr.
 * 6) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 7) 33 – Clint Bowyer
 * 8) 42 – Juan Pablo Montoya
 * 9) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 10) 00 – David Reutimann

Failed to qualify: No. 78 – Regan Smith, No. 70 – Kevin Conway, No. 02 – Brandon Ash

Ford 400
The Ford 400 was held on Sunday, November 22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jimmie Johnson took the pole but Denny Hamlin won the race.

Top 10 results
 * 1) 11 – Denny Hamlin
 * 2) 31 – Jeff Burton
 * 3) 29 – Kevin Harvick
 * 4) 2 – Kurt Busch
 * 5) 48 – Jimmie Johnson
 * 6) 24 – Jeff Gordon
 * 7) 99 – Carl Edwards
 * 8) 18 – Kyle Busch
 * 9) 1 – Martin Truex Jr.
 * 10) 44 – A. J. Allmendinger

Failed to qualify: No. 87 – Joe Nemechek, No. 66 – Dave Blaney, No. 70 – Mike Skinner, No. 13 – Max Papis, No. 09 – David Stremme, No. 7 – Matt Crafton (qualified for Robby Gordon)

Drivers' championship
Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.

Note:This list does not include exhibition races.

+ Scott Speed failed to qualify his normal ride, the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota at Darlington and Infineon, but drove Joe Nemechek's No. 87 Toyota for those two races, replacing Nemechek, who had a relationship with Jay Frye, vice president of Red Bull and the listed owner of Nemechek's No. 13 Ginn Racing Chevrolet in 2007 that would later be merged with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. on July 25, 2007.