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Montoya Drafts to a 15th-Place Finish in Talladega
TALLADEGA, AL. (October 7, 2007)—Juan Pablo Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team survived what everyone expected to be a "wreck fest" at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday. Although there were several incidents, Montoya ran up front to avoid them. He finished the 188-lap contest in the 15th position and earned Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors.
Montoya started the first Superspeedway event for the Dodge Avenger from the 22nd position after his qualifying effort. Several teams utilized different race strategies throughout the event, including several dropping a full straightaway back and forming their own drafting lines. Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team however chose to race in the lead pack for the UAW 400 and by lap 100 he had drafted his way up to third.
Crew Chief Donnie Wingo and the Texaco/Havoline team didn't adjust on the car much, but the over-the-wall crew would alternate between two and four-tire pit stops. The racing itself had remained single file until around 130. The field was now racing two and three wide until the checkered flag waved. Montoya remained toward the front of the outside drafting line with the drivers he had been working with all day. On lap 144, there was a huge wreck behind the No. 42 Dodge Avenger that gathered over 10 cars. Montoya brought his car down pit road to change tires. Wingo wanted to err on the side of caution and make sure Montoya didn't run over any debris from the multi-car incident.
Racing resumed on lap 150 with Montoya in eighth. He continued to run up front and was sitting third on the final restart on lap 180. Unfortunately, without much drafting help, Montoya was shuffled out of the draft and finished the race in the 15th position.
Montoya remains 20th in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup standings, but gained points on the drivers in front of him. He sits 30 points out of 19th and 46 points out of 17th. He also continues to lead the Raybestos Rookie standings by 15 points (225-115) over David Ragan with six races remaining in the 2007 season.
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