Lap-by-Lap: Homestead (cont'd)

Lap 51 -- YELLOW FLAG NO. 1: Dale Earnhardt Jr. spins coming into pit road. He was hit by Kyle Busch as they came onto pit road. Several cars are still on pit road and complete their stops, including Jeff Gordon.

Lap 50 -- LEAD CHANGE: Ryan Newman leads as Kurt Busch his pit road. Jimmie Johnson is in for his stop and gets adjustments.

Lap 49 -- LEAD CHANGE: Kurt Busch inherits the lead when Matt Kenseth pulls in to make his stop. Martin Truex Jr. is also in for a stop.

Lap 48 -- Greg Biffle hits pit road to begin green-flag pit stops.

Lap 45 -- Despite his handling issues, Jeff Gordon is now in sixth with Jimmie Johnson in seventh.

Lap 42 -- After pitting under green for his cut tire, Jeff Burton is now two laps down and running in 43rd.

Lap 38 -- Jeff Gordon is reporting that his car is losing grip on the front when he gets out of the corner. It forces him to use more track in the corner. He's running in seventh.

Lap 31 -- Martin Truex Jr. is riding the high line and making it work. He has moved from his 15th starting spot to fourth position.

Lap 22 -- Reports coming from the 24 car that Jeff Gordon may have an issue. Smoke appears to be coming from his car in the turns.

Lap 17 -- Jeff Burton hits the pit-road access with a flat right-front tire. The tire comes off as he enters his pit box.

Lap 16 -- Jimmie Johnson has maintained his third-place running position. Jeff Gordon, meanwhile, is in seventh.

Lap 6 -- Jeff Burton gets loose and brushes the wall. He was running in ninth but drops back to 15th after the contact.

Lap 4 -- LEAD CHANGE: Matt Kenseth drives by Ryan Newman to grab the top spot.

Lap 2 -- LEAD CHANGE: Ryan Newman drives to the outside and takes the lead. Matt Kenseth follows to get second.

Lap 1 -- Jimmie Johnson leads the first lap for five bonus points.

4:04 p.m. -- GREEN FLAG: Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman get the season finale Ford 400 under way.

3:57 p.m. -- Cars are rolling on the racetrack for the last time in 2007.

3:53 p.m. -- Edsel Ford from Ford Motor Company delivers the command: "Gentlemen, start your engines."

3:46 p.m. -- Toryn Green from Fuel sings the national anthem.

3:45 p.m. -- Ms. Florida, 2007, Kylie Williams delivers the invocation.

3 p.m. ET -- ABC's pre-race coverage of the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway is on the air.

WEEKEND HEADLINES
• Guarantee of top 35 keeps pressure on teams, drivers
• For Dale Jr., finale less an end as it is a beginning
• Notes: Rudd, Yates ready for final Cup Series race
• Johnson: Don't expect a conservative effort for title
• For Reiser, time was right to move up as Roush GM
• Kahne under investigation after incident at Homestead
• Johnson begins title quest with four pole of season
• Johnson chasing Petty's record of five consecutive
• Johnson's success literally built on strong foundation
• Speediatrics unit unveiled at Homestead hospital
• Reiser's promotion opens crew chief door for Bolin
• Johnson, Gordon prepare for one final showdown