Chevrolet clinch manufacturers' title

With a total of 19 wins out of 26 races thus far, Chevrolet has outscored its rival manufacturers to win a fourth consecutive championship in a season of change that has seen the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow.

Kyle Busch scored the maiden CoT victory with his Chevrolet Impala SS at Bristol in March, while his Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon, Casey Mears and Johnson have contributed with 11 victories this year, more than any other Chevy team.

The drivers' title is likely to go to one of the Chevrolet drivers as well, given that nine out of the 12 drivers who have made the Chase for the 2007 Nextel Cup race for General Motors' bowtie brand.

"This has been a dream season for Chevrolet," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet's general manager. "Our success in NASCAR is a result of many hours of hard work and dedication from all the men and women on our Chevy race teams.

"We know that a strong performance in racing helps to generate the same strong performance in the marketplace, and we're pleased with everyone's efforts to keep the Chevy bowtie out front on and off the track."

Reigning Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson has been the driver to give Chevrolet the most wins during the year with six victories thus far. Besides the Hendrick drivers, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton and Martin Truex Jr have also contributed with the wins that have given them this year's title.

"I'm really proud we clinched this Manufacturers' Cup for Chevrolet," said Johnson. "I can't believe we've clinched this early in the season. That's phenomenal. I think it says a lot about the brand and the relationships with the teams have with GM and in particular with Chevrolet."

General Motors have also won championships with their Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Buick brands, totalling 37 titles since 1950, when the manufacturers title was first implemented.