Departing four-time Champ Car king Sébastien Bourdais and Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team-mate Graham Rahal have received accolades for their performances during the 2007 Champ Car World Series season.

Bourdais piloted the #1 car to eight victories and seven pole positions en route to an unprecedented, history-making fourth consecutive title, whilst rookie Rahal drove the sister #2 machine to four rostrum finishes over the course of his maiden campaign in the series – including a second place in Houston that earned him the distinction of becoming the youngest podium finisher in Champ Car history at just 18-years-old.

As a result of this, Bourdais has earned a spot on the 2007 American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) All-America team for the fourth consecutive year. Two team members are elected in each of the seven categories, with the driver earning the most votes being eligible to win the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy and be named AARWBA's Driver of the Year at the annual banquet in January.

In addition to the Frenchman, other Titus contenders include two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup title-winner Jimmie Johnson, reigning IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 Champion Dario Franchitti, five-time NHRA king Tony Schumacher and three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion Ron Hornaday Jnr.

Moreover, Bourdais is again a nominee for the second annual Speed Performer of the Year award, selected by a panel of journalists and organized by SPEED Channel. Other nominees include Johnson, Franchitti and current Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen among others. Bourdais is also a nominee for the 2007 SPEED Performance Awards.

Winners of both categories will be announced during a one-hour special telecast to be aired next February. SPEED TV is allowing its viewers the opportunity to vote for nine separate categories.

Finally, Bourdais was nominated for the 'Economaki Champion of Champions' award in honour of long-time racing journalist Chris Economaki, editor of National Speed Sport News. It is the second year of the award and the second time Bourdais was a contender. Double World of Outlaws Sprint Car Champion Donny Schatz claimed the trophy.

Rahal, meanwhile, was put forward for Autosport magazine's Rookie of the Year accolade. Although the fan vote earned F1 star and British driver Lewis Hamilton the title, the American was nevertheless pleased to be nominated.