Johnson Wins Again
Can anyone stop Jimmie Johnson from rolling to his second consecutive NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship? It sure doesn't look like it -- his season mirrors some of his races where he falls behind due to an accident, a miscue in the pits or just plain bad luck. Then at the end of the race you look up and Johnson is in the lead and you wonder where he came from. Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus does this better than anyone on the Cup circuit. Johnson only led eight laps on Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway but one was all he needed. He took the lead from Matt Kenseth with two to go in the Dickies 500 and won pulling away. On the final stop Kenseth took two tires and Johnson took four. And still it was not an easy task getting by Kenseth. "I knew it was going to be a battle to the end," said Johnson, referring to the last 25 lap battle with Kenseth. "I didn't think his two tires would last that long or he'd be that good. There wasn't much time to get it done."

The win is the 32nd in Johnson's short career, the third straight victory, he also won last Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway and the previous Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. This is the ninth victory for Johnson in 2007 and his first win ever at Texas Motor Speedway. Johnson now leads in the Nextel Cup standings by 30 points over teammate and car owner Jeff Gordon. With two races remaining on the 2007 schedule, Johnson still has to be careful though, he has never won at Phoenix or Homestead, the site of the final two races. Johnson chose his words carefully when asked if the victory was any indication of a repeat championship. "I doubt it, it's so hard from year to year to have things repeat," Johnson said. "I do know we're racing for a championship and now that we have control, I'm tickled to death." All drivers from seventh through 12th in the chase have been eliminated.

Kenseth held on to finish second with pole sitter Martin Truex Jr. in tow for third. Kyle Busch led a season high 153 laps but it was only good enough for fourth. Ryan Newman finished fifth ahead of Jeff Burton (sixth) and Jeff Gordon in seventh. Kurt Busch was eighth followed by Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick to round out the top-ten. The Nextel Cup Series moves to Phoenix International Raceway next Sunday November 11th, 2007, for the Checker Auto Parts 500. The race is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. This will be the 35th of a 36 race season.
To read the full article...     (Insider Racing News)
For full final race results...     (Insider Racing News)
For top-40 Nextel Cup drivers points...     (Insider Racing News)

Villeneuve Won't Buy Bill Davis Racing
Jacques Villeneuve has categorically stated that he has no interest in buying into NASCAR team Bill Davis Racing. The 1997 Formula One world champion has been linked to a purchase of the team he is racing for since his manager Craig Pollock expressed an interest in buying a NASCAR team, but Villeneuve claims that he will not be involved in any takeover bid.

Villeneuve said: "Over the last few weeks there has been persistent speculation that I am considering some form of purchase of the Bill Davis Racing organisation. In spite of my consistent denial of these claims, the questions and speculation continue, so I want to set the record straight, one time only. I am not interested in buying the BDR business, or any other NASCAR team. I have not been considering such a purchase, and I will not be changing that position."

Villeneuve added that he wants to remain totally focused on his racing in NASCAR, where he is currently preparing for his rookie season in the Sprint Cup in 2008.(autosport.com)

Illinois Man Has Winning Bid On Helmet
Bruce Graham, of Belvedere, Ill., may not be driving a stock car into Victory Lane, but he still feels like a champion after placing the winning bid of $20,800 during an online auction last week for arguably one of the most coveted collectibles in all of motorsports – a helmet signed by all 24 living past champions of the “Great American Race,” also known as the DAYTONA 500. The auction was created in part by Daytona International Speedway (DIS) and The Kroger Co., with all proceeds benefiting United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

In addition to ownership of the helmet, which includes signatures from seven-time champion Richard Petty, Mario Andretti, four-time champion Cale Yarborough, A.J. Foyt, three-time champion Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., Graham and his wife, Carolyne, will also be awarded a trip for two to New York where his prize will be presented to him and his guest by Gordon.

“This has truly been a phenomenal experience and we are so excited about the Living Legends helmet,” Graham said. “My wife and I do a lot of work for charity and, given the fact that she is such a big Jeff Gordon fan, we felt this was a perfect fit for us.”

Graham, an avid NASCAR fan, has attended the “Great American Race” since 2002 and also plans to be at next year’s event. He bid on the “Living Legends” helmet, which pays tribute to the 50th running of the DAYTONA 500 (Feb. 17, 2008), with the intent to use it and the trip to New York as a 10th wedding anniversary gift to his wife.

“Bruce is extremely lucky to now own such an incredible piece of the DAYTONA 500’s history,” said Robin Braig, President of DIS. “The guys who have signed the ‘Living Legends’ helmet are such a vital piece of the history of both the sport and this great event and each represent a part of the reason we’re able to celebrate the race’s 50th Running.”

United Way of Greater Cincinnati president Robert C. Reifsnyder said, “Our congratulations and thanks to Bruce Graham for his winning bid, which contributed to the success of our 2007 United Way campaign.” Cincinnati’s United Way campaign, which ended October 30, raised $62,830,000.

The auction took place over one week’s time on eBay.com. All proceeds will be donated to United Way of Greater Cincinnati. Fans can still be a part of history at the 50th running of the DAYTONA 500 by purchasing tickets at racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-Pit-Shop.