• Will reigning series champion Jimmie Johnson – set to make his 200th series start at New Hampshire – and last year’s series runner-up Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Carhartt Ford), also a former champion, qualify for their fourth consecutive Chase – the only drivers to do so?
• Will two-time series champion Tony Stewart and ’05 contender Carl Edwards (No. 99 Lumber Liquidators Ford) return to the Chase after ’06 disappointments?
• Can second-year NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Camping World Chevrolet) and Martin Truex Jr. (No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) qualify for their first Chase?
• Can four-time series champion Jeff Gordon – the current standings leader – capture his fifth series title?
• Add Car of Tomorrow competition as an interesting variable. Teams will run four events in the “Race to the Chase” and five in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup with the new car, which will become a fulltime entity in 2008.
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