One Step Closer, Montoya Finishes Third in ARCA Debut
Talladega, Ala. (October 6, 2006) --- Juan Pablo Montoya had one goal at Talladega Superspeedway -- to learn restrictor-plate racing. The Food World 250 ARCA RE/MAX race was not short of lessons for Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team. Montoya raced several laps three wide, was involved in an incident on the track, dropped back as far as 31st and drove the No. 42 Dodge Charger back up through the field to finish third. "It's nice Chip got me here because it was definitely necessary to come," said Montoya. "You have to live it and experience it as well. It was a good day. I think the Texaco/Havoline Dodge behaved pretty well." "As far as I'm concerned it was one solid step toward what we wanted to do," said Team Owner Chip Ganassi. "Mission Accomplished. I think he (Montoya) understands Cup is going to be more difficult, but this is a learning curve. I thought he did great; he led laps, went to the back and came into the pits for the first time. The important thing is that he maintained his composure in the draft. That's the big thing and I'll take it." Montoya started the shortened race second after his qualifying effort on Thursday. He didn't stay in the runner up spot long as he completed lap 1 in the top spot. Montoya led the first nine laps before a second drafting line began in the outside lane. He raced side-by-side until the caution flag waved on lap 19. Crew chief Brad Parrott called Montoya into the pits for an air pressure adjustment, four tires and fuel. A tire rolled out of the pits, costing the team time. Montoya returned to the track in the 19th position. Racing resumed on lap 25, and Montoya wasted no time figuring out how to draft to the front. After just five green-flag laps he was back in the top 10. On lap 36, another car tried to make it three wide and drifted into the Texaco/Havoline Dodge. Montoya was able to keep the wheel straight, while two other cars went spinning. The car suffered damage to the right side, so even though pit road was closed, Parrott called Montoya into the pits to be sure he didn't have a flat tire. "We were in the middle of the pack and they said, ‘watch out," said Montoya. "The cars came straight at me and I was pretty lucky. I really though I was going to lose it, but for some reason the car didn't spin." The crew jumped over the wall on lap 37 to change right-side tires. He returned to the track until ARCA Officials opened up pit road on lap 40 so the team could repair the cosmetic damage to the car. After several trips down pit road, Montoya took the green flag from the 28th position on lap 44. Montoya worked his way up to 11th on lap 54, but the racing was now three wide from the front to the rear of the field. He tested the various drafting lines to see how the Texaco/Havoline Dodge reacted and was sitting 14th when the yellow flag waved on lap 64. Montoya came down pit road and the team filled the car with fuel. The fuel-only stop boosted Montoya to sixth for the restart on lap 69. Montoya radioed the team that he was going to draft behind the No. 61 car. He practiced the art of bump drafting for a few laps, and on lap 72 pushed the No. 61 car to the lead. The outside line formed again and the racing was soon side-by-side. On lap 79, a multi-car wreck brought out the final caution flag of the day. ARCA Officials called the race due to daylight and Montoya took the checkered flag on lap 81 in third. Montoya thanked the crew over the radio before exiting the Texaco/Havoline Dodge with a smile. "I haven't had this much fun in a race for a long time," said Montoya. "I passed about 40 cars today easily. That was outrageous."
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