TARGET TEAM FINISHES 38TH AT TALLADEGA

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Media Contacts
Shayna Keller              No. 42 Target Chevrolet

Results (starting pos.) from the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
1.   (15) Matt Kenseth, No. 17 Ford
34.    (24) Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/ Allstate Chevrolet
38.    (27) Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Target Chevrolet

38th-Place Finish for Team Target at Talladega After Mechanical Mishap

TALLADEGA, Ala.  (Oct. 7, 2012) – The final superspeedway race of the season was filled with its usual excitement and drama as the 189-lap race experienced 54 lead changes among 18 leaders and a wreck on the final lap that involved 25 cars. The Target team ran a solid race and was right up in the mix of it all until Montoya radioed in a motor problem with less than 40 laps to go. The No. 42 Chevrolet was forced to go to the garage early and end their day with a 38th-place finish.

Juan Pablo Montoya and the Target team started the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 in the 27th position and quickly tried to determine where the best place to run was out on the race track. Montoya and 42 other drivers jockeyed for position all while trying to avoid any major incidents. The Target Chevrolet shifted around out on the track and was frequently displayed up in the top-10. After their final pit stop of the day, Montoya made a charge to the front. The No. 42 was running up in the top-10 when a sudden problem with the motor occurred. Montoya slowed on the track and brought the Target Chevrolet to the garage. The day ended in disappointment as the team had to settle for a 38th-place finish.
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“The Target Chevrolet was strong today,” Montoya remarked. “We were running right up there in the lead pack the majority of the day and then something happened to our motor. It felt like it was going to let go at any minute so we brought it to the garage. I hate it for these guys. We just can’t catch a break.”

Notes:
- This race marked the fourth race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup and the final superspeedway race of the season.
- Montoya has made 12 starts at Talladega.  The team Target driver has won two poles (2009, 2010) three top-fives and three top-tens
- Montoya fell one position to  22nd in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will head to Charlotte Motor Speedway next weekend for the Bank of America 500. The race will air live on ABC and radio stations affiliated with PRN Saturday evening at 7 ET.