Montoya Finishes 16th in First Visit to Martinsville
MARTINSVILLE, VA (April 1, 2007)—Juan Pablo Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team had better luck in the second Car of Tomorrow (CoT) race of the season. Montoya completed all 500 laps of the event at Martinsville Speedway, and ran as high as eighth before finishing in the 16th position. Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team moved up three spots in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup standings to 16th, and now sit just 62 points out of the top 10.
Montoya took the green flag from the 23rd spot and told crew chief Donnie Wingo the car was too tight in the middle of the corners. After the second caution flag waved, the Texaco/Havoline crew began adjusting on the No. 42 Dodge Avenger. Montoya maintained his position and battled with lapped traffic to remain on the lead lap the entire race. By the midpoint of the race there were only 21 cars running in the lead pack and Montoya brought the car down pit road for another adjustment.
Montoya returned to the track in the 20th position, but with a better handling car. By lap 298 he was running in the 15th position and found himself in the top 10 on lap 342. Rain spoiled the team's charge as NASCAR red flagged the race on lap 354. Racing resumed on lap 363 with the Texaco/Havoline Dodge in the ninth position. Montoya tangled with the No. 96 car on lap 375 bringing out the caution. He pitted for tires and fuel, while several cars elected to stay on the track and returned in the 17th position. Over the closing laps, Montoya maneuvered through heavy traffic to bring the car home in one piece and in the 16th spot.
Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team have the week off before heading to Texas Motor Speedway. However, the NASCAR Busch Series team will race at Nashville Superspeedway on April 7 with driver Kevin Hamlin in a retro Texaco/Havoline Dodge.
