The 2007 Bank of America 500 was a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series stock car race that was held on October 13, 2007, at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. The race was the 31st race of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season, and the fifth race of the 2007 Chase for the Nextel Cup. It was the only Saturday night race in the Chase schedule for 2007.

Background

*Ricky Rudd made his return to the 88 Yates Racing Ford after missing the previous five weeks due to a separated shoulder suffered in an accident during the 2007 Sharp AQUOS 500, Sharp AQUOS 500. *Dale Jarrett officially retired from full-time competition, and handed the wheel of the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 44 Toyota Camry to David Reutimann.

Qualifying

With a lap of 28.512 sec at a speed of 189.394 mph, Ryan Newman (racing driver), Ryan Newman won his fifth pole of the 2007 season. Chase points leader Jeff Gordon started 4th right behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson, who started 2nd on the outside pole. Defending winner Kasey Kahne started fifth, and 2007 Coca-Cola 600, Coke 600 winner Casey Mears started 9th. Failed to Qualify: No. 44-Dale Jarrett, No. 78-Joe Nemechek, No. 83-Brian Vickers, No. 06-Sam Hornish Jr., No. 08-Carl Long, No. 27-Kirk Shelmerdine

Race

Like the previous Chase races at 2007 Dodge Dealers 400, Dover, 2007 LifeLock 400, Kansas, and most recently at 2007 UAW-Ford 500, Talladega, a great portion of the 12 Chase drivers would have trouble. Many analysts expected defending champion Jimmie Johnson to walk away with another Charlotte victory, as he had won three consecutive Coca-Cola 600, 600's, including two sweeps in 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, 2004 and 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, 2005. He continued with his domination, leading 95 of 337 laps before an unexpected spin on lap 231 took him out of contention. His teammate, points leader Jeff Gordon picked up the lead, trading it with teammate Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer. After an oil spill by Jeff Green (NASCAR), Jeff Green, Gordon and Busch began experiencing fuel pickup problems. Fearing a wreck, owner Rick Hendrick told Kyle to race Gordon clean. Although he attempted a "bump and run" on Gordon, it gave Ryan Newman (racing driver), Ryan Newman the opportunity to shoot back into the lead. Newman had victory in his sights until he surprisingly spun out with 3 to go, giving the lead back to Gordon, who had not finished a Lowe's race since 2004. However, Gordon would hold off Bowyer and Busch for his first Lowe's win since 1999.

Results

Top Ten Results: ''(Note: Chase drivers are in bold italics.)''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2007 Bank Of America 500 2007 in sports in North Carolina, Bank of America 500 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Bank of America 500 NASCAR races at Charlotte Motor Speedway October 2007 sports events in the United States