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What a year it was in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
It all began back in February with Speed Weeks at the Daytona International Speedway, where the big news was the debut of the Toyota Camry.
Of course it wouldn't be a Speed Weeks without controversy as Michael Waltrip Racing was found to have some sort of additive in the fuel cell, resulting in the suspension of his crew chief and competition director.
As for the race itself, I think it was one of the more boring Daytona 500's we've ever seen. Not a lot of passing and little or no side-by-side racing. I for one would love to see NASCAR take the restrictor plates off the cars and let them run 200 some miles per hour, which is what Daytona was designed to do.
I know the plates are for the safety of the fans and drivers, but I think NASCAR needs to put the cars back in the hands of the driver.
I say all this and we have one of the most exciting finishes in the history of the Dayton 500, as it looked like Mark Martin would finally claim his first 500 win, leading the final lap as the field entered turn three, only to be edged by Kevin Harvick by less than a tenth of a second. It was Harvick's first Daytona 500 and the second for car owner Richard Childress (the first coming in 1998 with the late Dale Earnhardt).
Of course it's Daytona and "The Big One" reared its ugly head at the end as a multi-car pileup on the last lap found Clint Bowyer go sliding across the track and the infield grass on his roof.
Jimmie Johnson proved last year's title was no fluke and the 2006 champ won six races in the regular season to hold a 60-point lead heading into the Chase for the Nextel Cup.
Johnson dominated the Chase, scoring four straight wins and finishing in the top 10 in all 10 races to claim his second straight Nextel Cup championship (by 77 points over teammate, friend and car owner Jeff Gordon) and the seventh for car owner Rick Hendrick. The seven titles tie him with Petty Enterprises for most championships won by a car owner.
Regular readers of this column know how critical I've been of Johnson in the past, but it's time for me to eat crow.
Even though I'm still not a huge fan of Johnson, I have to give the devil his due. Johnson is the best in the business right now and it looks like he could be the one to make a serious run at the record of seven championships by a driver, currently held by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Crew chief Chad Knaus is also the best in the business.
Knaus is a master at getting the #48 Lowes Chevy just how Johnson likes it. The other thing with Knaus is, he knows what calls to make at the right time. Whether it be a two-tire stop, or just a gas-only stop, Knaus has a knack for knowing when to play it conservative and when to gamble.
Congratulations Jimmie, Chad and the entire #48 team on a well-deserved title.
This year also saw the passing of NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. after a long illness.
I didn't always agree with his decisions, but I respected him. He made the sport what it is today and everyone who is involved in the sport (whether it be a team owner, driver, crew chief or anyone else that works on the cars, the fans and the media) owe Mr. France a big thank you.
The 2007 season also saw the passing of former Nextel Cup Champion and long-time broadcaster Benny Parsons.
"Just a cab driver from New York" as Parsons liked to call himself, 'B.P.' was the voice of NASCAR on television (whether it be ESPN, NBC or wherever). He had a way of making it seem as if you were the only one watching the race.
Godspeed Mr. France and 'B.P.' As Larry McReynolds said, "we'll miss ya buddy."
The 2007 season also saw the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow. I'm not sure if I'm sold on the COT or not, I'll have to see it at every track on the circuit next year to be able to make a judgment on it.
The final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway also saw the end to the long and distinguished career of Ricky Rudd who announced he was retiring from the sport.
In a 32-year career, Rudd visited Victory Lane 23 times and was a true class act on and off the track.
Other highlights of 2007 saw Jeff Gordon tie and then pass Earnhardt on the all-time wins list.
When Gordon picked up the win at Talladega, I really believe the Intimidator was smiling down from Heaven.
It's time for fans to cut Gordon some slack. The man can drive a race car.
The Nextel Cup Series saw four first-time winners this season - Juan Pablo Montoya (Sonoma), Casey Mears (Coca Cola 600), Martin Truex Jr. (Dover) and Clint Bowyer at New Hampshire in the fall.
Look for great things in the years to come from those drivers, especially Truex and Bowyer.
Of course the biggest news of 2007 was the departure of Dale Earnhardt Jr. from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to Hendrick Motorsports.
It will look strange seeing Jr. in the #88 Mountain Dew Chevy Impala SS.
I guess we'll find out how good Jr. really is over the next few years. If you can't win at Hendrick, then I think you're overrated.
Thank you to everyone who reads this column and for all your emails and phone calls (whether they were complimentary or not). I really appreciated all of them.
I'll see you at the track.
Potts can be reached at jpotts@timesleaderonline.com