Jimmie Johnson three-peats: Barely a few minutes after becoming just the second driver in history to win three straight championships, Johnson and Co. were already talking No. 4. The three-peat may merely be a necessary step in Johnson’s quest to stand as the only driver to win four in a row.
Petty Enterprises sold: Though Petty Enterprises hasn’t been competitive in years, the organization stood as the beacon illuminating NASCAR’s mom-and-pop roots. So when Richard Petty decided to sell controlling interest to a Boston-based investment firm, it wasn’t a surprise – he had to do something to stay afloat – but it did mark the symbolic end of an era, not just for the organization, but for the sport as a whole. The days of family-owned businesses are officially over, replaced by generic franchises that are in the game just for the money.
Tony Stewart starts his own team: Just like Derek Jeter would never leave the Yankees, it was thought that Stewart would be with Joe Gibbs Racing until the end of his career. But that changed in July when Stewart announced he would leave the JGR fold, where he won two championships, to start his own team, Stewart-Hass Racing. Stewart later signed 2008 Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman to fill out the two-car team.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. snaps 76-race winless streak: Driving for his new team in Hendrick Motorsports, wins were expected early and often for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who went the entire 2007 season without taking a checkered flag. It took 15 races, but Junior finally got his in June at Michigan International Speedway. It would be his only win of the season.
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