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Montoya's Potential Top-15 Night Derailed by Mid-Race Accident
RICHMOND, VA (September 8, 2007)—Juan Pablo Montoya lined up 15th at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) Saturday night to take the initial green flag for the 400-lap competition and proceeded to maintain a top-15 run the entire first half of the race. Then, on lap 242, the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge was running 10th when a multi-car accident left Montoya with no way to escape as he was hit from behind and slammed into the car ahead of him. Fortunately, Montoya escaped the crash unscathed, but the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) car was damaged beyond repair and called it a night in 41st place.
Prior to the accident, Montoya raced up to as high as fourth place on lap 30 after a two-tire pit stop advanced him seven positions. He then went on to run inside the top 10 until a lack of grip seemed to slow the Texaco/Havoline team's earlier momentum. Still, Montoya and team never fell outside of the top 15 until the night-ending contact on lap 242.
With a current tally of 2,479 points, Montoya and the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline team dropped to 21st in the overall NEXTEL Cup owner standings. Montoya also lost one spot in the driver standings, where he is now 20th overall.
Up next, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teams will head to New Hampshire International Speedway to run the Sylvania 300 on Sunday, September 16. The race will broadcast on ABC (LIVE, 1 p.m. ET).
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