History of NASCAR from 2006 to 2009

NASCAR began to phase in the "Car of Tomorrow" in 2007. It was the first major body-style change since 1981. The cars were larger in comparison and included a rear wing. Many fans and drivers lamented the performance and appearance of the car, but it was proven to be significantly safer. Kyle Busch won the first race in the new car at Bristol in March of 2007.

In 2006, Formula One star Juan Pablo Montoya surprisingly announced that he would leave the international open wheel series to drive for Chip Ganassi in the Nextel Cup Series. He captured his first win as a rookie at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. The Colombia native became the first non-American to win a Cup race since Canadian Earl Ross in 1974.

Several open-wheel stars tried their hand in NASCAR such as Sam Hornish, Jr, Jacques Villeneuve, Dario Franchitti, Patrick Carpentier, A.J. Allmendinger, and Scott Speed. Montoya was the only to win in NASCAR's highest level.

The Japanese manufacturer Toyota joined NASCAR's top level in 2007. Many traditional fans begrudged the notion of a foreign manufacturer competing in an American sport. Joe Gibbs Racing joined forces with Toyota in 2008 after 17 years with General Motors.

Due to a fallout with his stepmother Teresa Earhardt, Earnhardt, Jr. left DEI, the company his father built, to join the Hendrick Motorsports powerhouse. Earnhardt Jr won his first race with Hendrick in June of 2008 at Michigan.

Two-time champion Stewart left Joe Gibbs Racing following the 2008 season and became a part owner of Gene Haas' Haas/CNC Racing, rebranded Stewart Haas Racing. Stewart lured Ryan Newman from Penske Racing to join him with the Chevrolet outfit. Newman won the 50^th running of the Daytona 500 in 2008.

The 2000's belonged to Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson, as he clinched an unprecedented fourth consecutive championship in 2009, breaking Cale Yarborough's record of three straight titles.

The great recession of the late-2000's took a toll on many drivers and teams. Long-time sponsors began leaving the sport, teams began to merge with other teams, and others closed operations. In 2009, DEI and Chip Ganassi merged operations, becoming Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. Gillett Evernham Motorsports absorbed Petty Enterprises. For the first time in over 50 years, Petty Enterprises was not at the track. The company was renamed Richard Petty Motorsports.

Chrysler and General Motors filed for bankruptcy in 2009, but they remained in NASCAR.

In May of 2009, Jeremy Mayfield became the first driver to face suspension under a new drug testing policy introduced prior to the season. Mayfield denied any drug use, and filed a lawsuit against NASCAR. NASCAR accused Mayfield of using methamphetamines. He won an injunction in July but did not return to the track. He remained under indefinite suspension following back and forth verbal assaults. Mayfield won four races in the 2000's, five for his career that apparently ended with the drug scandal.

In June of 2009, NASCAR implemented double-file restarts. Previously, all the lead lap cars restarted on the outside row, while the lapped cars, if any, restarted on the inside. With this rule, all cars restart double file with the lead lap cars at the front. The rule debuted at the Pocono Raceway. A week later 19-year-old Joey Logano became the youngest winner in NASCAR history when he caught a break at New Hampshire.

Star drivers of the 2000's were led by Johnson, but includes Stewart, Gordon, Earnhardt Jr., Harvick, Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Newman, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Mark Martin, and Kasey Kahne

Champions from the 2000's include Bobby Labonte (2000), Jeff Gordon (2001), Tony Stewart (2002, 2005), Matt Kenseth (2003), Kurt Busch (2004), Jimmie Johnson 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)

Resource: NASCAR Chronicle