|
Texaco/Havoline Team Finishes 31st after
Late-Race Electrical Problems
DOVER, DE (June 4, 2007)—Juan Pablo Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team raced for the third time under rain delayed conditions in the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway. Montoya battled a tight handling Dodge Avenger, the Car of Tomorrow (CoT), and a late-race electrical problem to bring the No. 42 home in the 31st position. The team remains 22nd in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup standings.
Montoya took the green flag from the 16th position after his qualifying effort on the 1-mile concrete track. It was Montoya's first trip to the "Monster Mile." Montoya told Crew Chief Donnie Wingo the car was extremely tight in the center of the corners on lap six, so Wingo and the Texaco/Havoline team adjusted on the car through the first two cautions on lap 25 and 65 as mandated by NASCAR due to the rain out. The car was better off the corner but still very tight.
After 100 laps of racing, the No. 42 was running in the 25th position. Montoya fell a lap down to the leader on lap 134, just before the caution waved on lap 136. The Texaco/Havoline team continued to make big adjustments on the pit stops, but as green-flag racing continued the leader was running down the field (only 13 cars finished on the lead lap). Montoya fell another lap down to the leader on lap 205 as green-flag stops began.
Shortly after his stop, Montoya told Wingo the volts were low in the car. The team pitted under caution on laps 273, 276 and on 278 to change out the battery. The team lost two additional laps on pit road and joined the field on lap 280 in the 35th position. For the remaining 200 circuits, the team worked on the car and Montoya continued to run consistent laps on the track. The electrical problem remained throughout the race, but Montoya was able to finish the 400-mile event titled to raise awareness of autism in the 31st position.
Montoya participated in a charity golf tournament on Thursday that helped raise almost half a million dollars for the Autism Society of Delaware. The driver of the Texaco/Havoline Dodge also walked with race fans around the Dover track raising funds for his Formula Smiles Foundation. Montoya and his wife signed autographs and posed for pictures while chatting with fans.
On Saturday, the Texaco/Havoline NASCAR Busch Series team ran in the top 15 most of the race avoiding the majority of the wrecks to bring the car home in the 14th position. The No. 42 Dodge sustained minor damage during a multi-car incident on lap after the restart on lap 164. Montoya's spotter Tab Boyd hollered for him to check up, and he just touched the back fender of teammate Reed Sorenson. His Dodge had a little right front fender damage, but nothing that couldn't be pulled out. Montoya told his crew chief there was something wrong with his car after the team's pit stop, and the team assessed a loose lug nut was the culprit. The team tightened the wheel, and after several pit stops under caution, finished the event in the 14th spot. Montoya now sits 14th in the Busch Series driver standings.
|
