Texaco/havoline Racing History – The story
 The 2007 season will mark Texaco/Havoline's 20th year as a sponsor in the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) NEXTEL Cup Series. From Davey Allison and Ernie Irvan, to Ricky Rudd and Casey Mears, Texaco/Havoline has a long and rich history in the sport.
Texaco/Havoline will be adding another marquee driver to its history when former Formula One standout Juan Pablo Montoya takes over the No. 42 ride in 2007. In a move that NASCAR considers "historic", Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) and Texaco/Havoline stunned the motorsports world in July of 2006 with the announcement of Montoya as the pilot of the famed black and red car for '07.
The partnership between Texaco/Havoline and CGRFS began with the 2003 season. At that time, relative newcomer Jamie McMurray assumed driving duties of the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge. McMurray, subbing for injured teammate Sterling Marlin, won his first NEXTEL Cup Series race in only his second start in October 2002, setting a new NASCAR modern-era record by becoming the quickest driver to win a Cup race.
The 2003 season saw McMurray post five top-five and 13 top-10 finishes en route to capturing the Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. McMurray also earned one pole award and finished 13th in the overall standings, but more importantly became the third Texaco/Havoline driver to win Rookie of the Year, joining Allison (1987) and Kenny Irwin (1998).
The Texaco/Havoline team raised the competitive bar in 2004 as McMurray compiled nine top-five and 23 top-10 finishes. McMurray's 23 top-10 finishes placed him second overall for top-10 finishes during the 2004 season. In addition, McMurray finished 11th in the standings and picked up a check for $1 million at the season-ending awards banquet by posting 12 top-10 finishes during the last 14 races.
Based on the previous year's success, McMurray and the Texaco/Havoline team rolled into 2005 poised to make a run at the title. Faced with the challenges of a new nose configuration, shorter spoiler and softer tire compound, the team struggled to find the consistency they experienced in 2004. Still, they were able to post four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in addition to finishing 12th in the overall championship standings.
Mears, whose family name carries a similar heritage in motorsports as Texaco/Havoline, drove the No. 42 Dodge to his career best finish in the championship standings in 2006. After finishing second in the season-opening Daytona 500, Mears amassed two top-five and eight top-10 finishes en route to a 14th-place points standing. It was Texaco/Havoline's fourth-consecutive year finishing in the top 15 in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup standings.
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