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Tough Night for Texaco/Havoline Team Results in 37th-Place Finish
CHARLOTTE, NC. (October 13, 2007)—Juan Pablo Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team had a tough night under the lights at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Montoya had a fast race car, but incidents on lap 35 and lap 278 put the black and red Dodge Charger behind the wall before the checkered flag fell. Montoya finished the Bank of America 500 in the 37th position.
Montoya started the 337-lap race from the 36th position after an early qualifying draw on Thursday evening. Marred back in traffic, Montoya was patiently racing his way up through the field. Unfortunately, on lap 35, as Montoya was passing the No. 4 car, it forced him up into the outside retaining wall. The Texaco/Havoline Dodge had a flat right side. Montoya tried to remain on the track, but was forced down pit road under green-flag conditions on lap 63 for tires, fuel and so the team could assess the damage. When Montoya returned to the track he was 41st and three laps down to the leader.
Crew Chief Donnie Wingo called Montoya down pit road under several cautions to repair the damage. The car was extremely loose for Montoya to drive, but he was able to remain on the track at a reasonable speed. As cautions continued to wave, several cars were now behind the wall. Montoya had gained five spots by lap 206 due to attrition.
The Texaco/Havoline team's evening came to an end on lap 278. The No. 10 car was trying to get around Montoya when the right front tire on the No. 42 Dodge blew out. It sent Montoya into the outside wall and collected the No. 10 car in the process. Montoya went to the infield care center as mandated by NASCAR, but was immediately released.
Montoya slipped to 21st in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup standings. He also continues to lead the Raybestos Rookie standings over David Ragan who finished 40th. The team travels to Martinsville Speedway next weekend for the final short track race of the 2007 season.
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