Nextel Cup Championship

Nextel Cup Championship /

Once again Jimmie Johnson proved to be NASCAR's valedictorian by winning his second straight Nextel Cup.

A record 12 different drivers, including Jeff Gordon, had a shot at winning the championship when the playoffs began just 10 races ago.

Johnson came into the Nov. 11 race at Phoenix International Raceway with a cushy 86-point lead over Gordon, and finished ahead by 77 points.

Johnson became the first driver to win consecutive championships since Jeff Gordon in 1997 and '98

Johnson, along with Hendrick teammates Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch and Casey Mears, dominated the 2007 Nextel Cup racing season.

Matt Kenseth set the stage for 2008 by winning the Ford 400 at Homestead, FL.

Published Nov 20, 2007