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Montoya Finishes 15th in Season Finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Earns 2007 Raybestos Rookie of the Year Honors
HOMESTEAD, FL (November 18, 2007)—Juan Pablo Montoya, with the support of his Texaco/Havoline team, won the 2007 Raybestos Rookie of the Year title following his 15th-place finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Montoya became the fourth driver for Texaco/Havoline to earn the prestigious honor. He joins Davey Allison (1987), Kenny Irwin, Jr. (1998) and Jamie McMurray (2003). It is the second time Crew Chief Donnie Wingo and his Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates crew led a rookie to the title after working with McMurray three years ago. Montoya and the team also moved up one spot in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup standings to finish in the season inside the top 20.
Montoya started the 267-lap race from the 33rd position, but had battled his way up to 16th when green-flag pit stops began on lap 46. Several teams had pitted before the caution waved on lap 50, but not Montoya and his Texaco/Havoline crew. Wingo called him down pit road on lap 53 for four tires and fuel. When racing resumed on lap 57 Montoya was fourth, with 15 cars on the tail end of the lead lap. The caution waved again on the restart.
Montoya told the Texaco/Havoline crew the car was tight in the center and loose off, a condition that would only worsen as the day went on and the sun set. Montoya would remain in the top 10 through the caution on lap 149. The team made air pressure adjustments while fitting the car with fresh tires. He returned to the track in the 11th position as several teams made two-tire stops.
The Texaco/Havoline Dodge remained quick throughout the race, but unbalanced. Wingo and the team continued to make changes on the car, including adding a spring rubber and several chassis adjustments. With less than 50 laps remaining, another round of green-flag stops began. Montoya was the last car on the lead lap in 16th on lap 248, but the No. 20 car spun on lap 253 to bring out the caution. Wingo had Montoya remain on the track to finish the final race of the 2007 season 15th.
Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team finished the season with one win, three top-five and six top-10 finishes. Montoya was Raybestos Rookie of the Race 16 times in 36 races, and finished 24 points ahead of David Ragan in the final rookie standings.
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