Montoya Finishes 16th in First Visit to Martinsville

Results from Martinsville Speedway 1. Jimmy Johnson, No. 48 Chevy 16. Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Avenger 18. Reed Sorenson, No. 41 Target Avenger 35. David Stremme, No. 40 Energizer Avenger

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (April 1, 2007)–Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team had better luck in the second Car of Tomorrow (CoT) race of the season. Montoya completed all 500 laps of the event at Martinsville Speedway, and ran as high as eighth before finishing 16th. Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team moved up three spots in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup standings, and now sit 16th just 62 points out of the top 10.

Montoya took the green flag from the 23rd spot and told crew chief Donnie Wingo the car was too tight in the middle. After the second caution flag waved, the Texaco/Havoline crew began adjusting on the No. 42 Dodge Avenger. Montoya maintained his position and battled with lapped traffic to remain on the lead lap the entire race. By the midpoint of the race there was only 21 cars running in the lead pack and Montoya brought the car down pit road for another adjustment.

Montoya returned to the track in the 20th position, but with a better handling car. By lap 298 he was running in the 15th position and found himself in the top 10 on lap 342. Rain spoiled the team’s charge as NASCAR red flagged the race on lap 354. Racing resumed on lap 363 with the Texaco/Havoline Dodge in the ninth position. Montoya tangled with the No. 96 car on lap 375 bringing out the caution. He pitted for tires and fuel, while several cars elected to stay on the track and returned in the 17th position. Over the closing laps, Montoya maneuvered through the heavy traffic to bring the car home in one piece and in the 16th spot.

Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team have the week off before heading to Texas Motor Speedway. However, the NASCAR Busch Series team will race at Nashville Superspeedway with driver Kevin Hamlin in a retro Texaco/Havoline Dodge.

CGRFS Driver Quoteboard

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA: “Bristol was hard, but this was good today. Our car there at the end after the rain, it wasn’t the same. It was a little loose off the corners so we lost a little drive. Before that, it was pretty good. It was tight and I couldn’t get the power down. It’s okay. We got some points. We knew we were going to have good and bad days. When the car is good you look good. If you come in and have a good car you’re going to be fast. If you come in and the car isn’t working you’re going to have a tough time. I guess I’m surprising myself a little bit. We’re doing well, but we’ll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out.”