2007 Dinoco 400

The 36th and Final Race of 2007, high stakes were up as this was the rumored final race for 5 beloved racers. More importantly, Lightning McQueen sat only 10 points ahead of Cal Weathers, so Cal could win the Piston Cup if he beat McQueen by 3 or more places, or even tie if they both placed high enough. Lightning and Cal fought back and forth for the lead over each other, with positions 4th and 7th heading into the final lap. On turn 3, Lightning McQueen took the gap between Jack DePost and Winford Bradford Rutherford to take 2nd on the inside line, and a final burst of speed past Kevin Shiftright gave Lightning victory of not only the race, but the 2007 Piston Cup, winning back to back titles. Cal Weathers finished 3rd in the race, and a close 2nd in the standings by 30 points. Behind them, all racers manage to finish, and Crusty Rotor places his final top 10 finish. The top 3 racers of the season were announced and awarded. Lightning McQueen came in First, taking home his 2nd straight Piston Cup, Cal Weathers in 2nd, and Todd Marcus 3rd to the best placement of his career.

## Retirements:

With the festivities, sadness also came as 5 racers planned to announce their retirement: Ryan Shields, Brush Curber, Billy Oilchanger, Crusty Rotor, and Murray Clutchburn. Ryan, Brush, Billy, and Crusty officially announced their retirements, receiving their last cheers from the fans. Before Murray made his official announcement, he was approached by Ernie Gearson, who explained that Murray could follow him in getting rebuilt and continue racing, showing how much it had improved himself. Murray delayed his announcement to speak with loved ones, then came back to the press. "It's been a tough choice, but I love this sport too much to quit here. I plan on a rebuild to continue racing in 2008 beyond. Thank you all for sticking by me, I can't wait to see what next season brings."

## Finishing Positions:

1. Lightning McQueen - 400 laps - 185 points
2. Kevin Shiftright - 400 laps - 180 points
3. Cal Weathers - 400 laps - 165 points
4. Jack DePost - 400 laps - 160 points
5. Winford Bradford Rutherford - 400 laps - 155 points
6. Aiken Axler - 400 laps - 150 points
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - 400 laps - 146 points
8. Claude Scruggs - 400 laps - 142 points
9. Crusty Rotor - 400 laps - 138 points
10. Murray Clutchburn - 400 laps - 134 points
11. Ernie Gearson - 400 laps - 130 points
12. Ruby Oaks - 400 laps - 127 points
13. Brush Curber - 400 laps - 124 points
14. Greg Candyman - 400 laps - 121 points
15. Eugene Carbureski - 400 laps - 118 points
16. Speedy Comet - 400 laps - 115 points
17. T.G. Castlenut - 400 laps - 112 points
18. Misti Motorkrass - 400 laps - 109 points
19. Darren Leadfoot - 400 laps - 106 points
20. Todd Marcus - 400 laps - 103 points
21. Dud Throttleman - 400 laps - 100 points
22. Kevin Racingtire - 400 laps - 97 points
23. Floyd Mulvihill - 400 laps - 94 points
24. Brick Yardley - 400 laps - 91 points
25. Billy Oilchanger - 400 laps - 88 points
26. Slider Petrolski - 400 laps - 85 points
27. Ryan Shields - 400 laps - 82 points
28. Mac iCar - 400 laps - 79 points
29. Sage VanDerSpin - 400 laps - 76 points
30. Manny Flywheel - 400 laps - 73 points
31. Jimmy Cables - 400 laps - 70 points
32. Tommy Highbanks - 400 laps - 67 points
33. Lee Revkins - 400 laps - 64 points
34. Ralph Carlow - 400 laps - 61 points
35. Ponchy Wipeout - 400 laps - 58 points
36. Dirkson D'Agostino - 400 laps - 55 points