Results from Auto Club Speedway
37.  Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Target Chevrolet

Engine Trouble Cuts the Day Short for Montoya in California

 Fontana, Cal. (February 22, 2010) – A promising day for Juan Pablo Montoya suddenly took a turn for the worse on lap 140 when engine woes hit the No. 42 Target Chevrolet and the team was forced back to the garage. The DNF (did not finish) is the first for the Target team since moving to Chevrolet at the beginning of the 2009 season.

 Montoya and teammate Jamie McMurray came out in full force at Auto Club Speedway as the duo lined up on the front row for Sunday’s race. Montoya started in the second position and took the lead on the very first lap of the 250 lap event. The No. 42 Target Chevrolet went on to dominate the first 29 laps. On lap 2, Montoya was clocked at 181.164 mph, He was the quickest of all cars for the entire race earning him the Goodyear "Gatorback Fastest Lap" award. A tight handling condition pushed him back in the field a bit as the laps progressed. Montoya visited pit road a total of five times for fresh tires, fuel and adjustments.

 A pit road penalty would force Montoya to the back of the field on lap 94 and within 20 laps the Target machine was back up in the top-15. As the charge to the front continued, Montoya radioed in some troublesome news on lap 140. The No. 42 Target Chevrolet was experiencing engine trouble and the car was no longer running. The No. 42 was pushed back to the garage area and the team was forced to call it an early day.

 The west coast “swing” continues as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 3:00 pm (ET). The Shelby American will air on FOX and radio stations affiliated with PRN.

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2010/post_race/highlights/02/21/cup_fon_high_two.nascar/