Target Team Takes a Hit at Texas and Finishes 37th
Results from Texas Motor Speedway
1. Kurt Busch, No. 2 Dodge
14. Martin Truex Jr., No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
37. Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Target / Dream In Color Chevrolet
Ft. Worth, Tex. (November 8, 2009) – With only three races remaining in the Chase, the Target team was looking to continue their climb in the point standings. When it came to race time Sunday afternoon, Montoya was confident that their favorite chassis would assist them in doing just that. The No. 42 Target / Dream In Color Chevrolet was running ninth when the car broke loose and changed the outcome of the race in an instant. Montoya was forced back to the garage where the team repaired significant damage to the rear and right front fender of the car. They were able to get back out on track and salvage a 37th-place finish.
The colorful Dream In Color Chevrolet started the Dickies 500 in the 20th position at Texas Motor Speedway and quickly found its way up into the top 10 by lap 21. Drivers out on the race track, including Montoya, started radioing in a changing track surface which was significantly affecting the handling of the race cars. The crew worked on improving the handling during pit stops and things continued to improve. Crew chief, Brian Pattie, told his driver some familiar words on lap 148, “You are the fastest car out on the race track”.
That momentum would be cut short on lap 174 as Montoya got loose coming into turn one and collided with the No. 99 Ford of Edwards. To add further insult to injury, the No. 12 would rear-end Montoya causing more damage to the Target / Dream In Color Chevrolet. Back in the garage, the crew worked to get the No. 42 repaired and back on track. After 103 laps, the repairs were complete and Montoya returned to the race. When the checkered flag waved Montoya was credited with a 37th place finish.
“It was just really close racing,” explained Montoya. “I think Carl (Edwards) was really close to me and drove right beside me and the car got loose and I lost it. With these cars, that is just going to happen. Everyone on the Target Chevy team did an amazing job to get me back out there. I hate that this happened.”
Two more races remain in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. Montoya left Texas taking a hit in the point standings and now sits in sixth place. He is 236 points out of first and only 58 behind fifth.
Next up is the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. The race will air live on ABC and radio stations affiliated with MRN at 2:30 pm (EDT).