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Texaco/Havoline Team Finishes 28th in Marathon Race at Charlotte
CONCORD, NC (May 27, 2007)—Juan Pablo Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team were in the wrong place at the wrong time in Sunday's 600-mile event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Montoya slowed to avoid a multi-car wreck on lap 52, but was hit from behind and forced into the car in front of him. After spending 28 laps behind pit wall, Montoya returned to the track in the 38th position and gained 10 spots through attrition to finish 28th.
Montoya started the 400-lap race from the 20th position after his qualifying effort on Thursday. Shortly after the green flag dropped, Montoya told Crew Chief Donnie Wingo the Texaco/Havoline Dodge was really tight. He dropped back to 27th and was trying to get a feel for the car when the caution waved on lap 46. The team made an air pressure adjustment and changed four tires, but was blocked in the pits by the No. 21 car. It was costly for the team as they dropped back to 32nd for the restart on lap 51.
On lap 52, Jimmie Johnson had trouble with his car and started a melee on the track. Montoya slowed to avoid the crashing cars and appeared to have missed the wreck. Unfortunately, the car behind him hadn't checked up and hit the back of the No. 42, sending Montoya into the No. 9 Dodge. Montoya had a punctured radiator and drove the car to the garage for repairs.
It took the team just 28 laps to get the car back out on the track, but Montoya was now in the 38th position. With over 300 laps remaining in the race, Wingo and the crew continued to work on the car during the cautions. Several additional incidents, as well as engine failures, moved Montoya into the 28th position when the checkered flag waved. Montoya and earned Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the fifth time and now leads the standings by six points over David Ragan. The Texaco/Havoline team has been running at the finish of all 12 NEXTEL Cup points races this season.
Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline NASCAR Busch Series team were running 15th when two brushes with the wall at Lowe's Motor Speedway forced an early departure on Saturday night. After starting 37th the Busch crew adjusted on the car throughout the race, fell on lap down on lap 65, and earned the free pass back on the lead lap on lap 129 after making the call for fuel only during a pit stop on lap 115. Montoya worked his way up to 15th when the car stepped out on him with just 52 laps remaining. The car was damaged beyond repair and Montoya was scored in the 40th position.
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