Chevrolet clinches 31st manufacturers' championship

RICHMOND, Va. - Jimmie Johnson's victory in Saturday night's Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway clinched the 2007 Manufacturers' Championship for Chevrolet in NASCAR's premier division.

With 10 races left in the season, Chevrolet has collected its 31st Manufacturers' crown since 1952.

"This has been a dream season for Chevrolet," said Ed Peper, general manager of Chevrolet. "We have won 19 Cup races so far this year. We have nine of the 12 drivers in the running for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup title. And tonight we also want to congratulate Hendrick Motorsports and Jimmie Johnson for winning the Chevy Rock & Roll 400.

"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."

A total of nine different drivers have contributed to the 19 victories in 26 races thus far this season that brought Chevrolet this award. Hendrick Motorsports has won 12 of those events, with all four Cup-level teams reaching Victory Lane in 2007.

"I'm really proud we clinched this Manufacturers' Cup for Chevrolet," Johnson said. "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.

"With the new car coming on line with the Impala SS and to hit the ground running like we did to have the advantage that we did, says a lot about everybody's commitment."