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Texaco/Havoline Team Finishes 23rd
in New England
LOUDON, N.H. (September 16, 2007)—Juan Pablo Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline Team were hoping to improve upon their first trip to New Hampshire International Speedway, but the No. 42 Dodge Avenger was loose into the corner and tight in the middle of the corner all race. Montoya, after starting from the 31st spot, battled all race to gain eight spots from his starting position to finish 23rd for the Sylvania 300.
The early draw for qualifying didn't help the team much as the track cooled off significantly as the session went on into the afternoon. Montoya turned a lap time that earned him the 31st starting position for the 300-lap event. He told Wingo shortly after the green flag waved the car was really tight in the center, a condition that would plague the team for the entire race.
The Texaco/Havoline crew adjusted on the car during its pit stops and tried everything to help Montoya including trackbar adjustments, the removal of a spring rubber and air pressure adjustments. Despite the changes, the car improved only slightly. Montoya eventually fell a lap down to the leader after a round of green flag stops on lap 140. When the caution was displayed on lap 149, Montoya was now the second car one lap down. Wingo elected to keep Montoya on the track and in position to earn the free pass back onto the lead lap should the caution wave again.
Wingo's strategy paid off just 15 laps later when the yellow flag waved on lap 164. Montoya was now back on the lead lap in the 23rd position with fresh tires, but was off pit sequence with the rest of the field. He had several close calls on the track, but was able to maneuver through the spins with the help of his spotter. Track position proved to be key on the short track, and as green flag stops began again on lap 227 Montoya was able to remain on the track since he had pitted more recently than the leaders. He was up to third on lap 245 and hoping for a caution when he was forced to bring the No. 42 Dodge down pit road on lap 253 for fuel and tires.
The pit stop dropped him back to 26th and one lap down to the leader. He was able to gain three spots before the checkered flag waved on lap 300. Montoya remains 20th in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver’s standings and still holds the lead in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year race.
The team heads to Dover International Speedway next weekend for the 28th race of the season.
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