The 2008 Ford 400, a 400.5 miles (644.5 km) race, was the concluding event of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season along with the 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup, and decides the Sprint Cup Champion for the 2008 season, this race was historic for being the race where Jimmie Johnson became the second driver (after Cale Yarborough) to win the Sprint Cup title three years in a row. The 267-lap race on the 1.5 miles (2.4 km) track was held on November 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. ABC covered the race beginning at 3 PM US EST and MRN along with Sirius Satellite Radio had radio coverage starting at that same time.

2008 Ford 400
Race details
Race 36 of 36 in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Date November 16, 2008 (2008-11-16)
Location Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, Florida
Course Permanent racing facility
1.5 mi (2.4 km)
Distance 267 laps, 400.5 mi (644.542 km)
Weather Temperatures reaching up to 77.9 °F (25.5 °C); wind speeds up to 17.1 miles per hour (27.5 km/h)[1]
Average speed 129.472 miles per hour (208.365 km/h)
Pole position
Driver Michael Waltrip Racing
Time 31.462
Most laps led
Driver Carl Edwards Roush Fenway Racing
Laps 157
Winner
No. 99 Carl Edwards Roush Fenway Racing
Television in the United States
Network ABC
Announcers Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree, Jerry Punch

The race also served as the final event of Ford Championship Weekend, which also includes the Craftsman Truck Series Ford 200 and Nationwide Series Ford 300 races on Friday and Saturday of that weekend, also serving as the season finales for those series as well.

Pre-Race News edit

Qualifying edit

Surprises were abound in the qualifying session, as David Reutimann won his first pole position in his career. Regan Smith wrapped up the Rookie of the Year award as Sam Hornish Jr. failed to make the field. Jimmie Johnson started 30th and Carl Edwards would start at fourth.

Results 1-Carl Edwards

2-Kevin Harvick

3-Jamie Mcmurray

4-Jeff Gordon

5-Clint Bowyer

6-Kasey Kahne

8-Travis Kvapil

9-Tony Stewert

10-Martin Truex Jr

Aftermath

With the 15th-place finish, Jimmie Johnson made history as he became just the second Sprint Cup driver to win three titles in a row. The response from NASCAR fans was phenomenal, as he won many accolades and was celebrated worldwide after his championship victory. Jimmie ended up beating 2nd place Carl Edwards by a total of 69 points.

Failed to Qualify: Sam Hornish Jr. (#77), Ken Schrader (#96), Max Papis (#13)

References edit

  1. ^ Weather information for the 2008 Ford 400 at The Old Farmers' Almanac