Edwards overcomes early pit-road contact with Montoya
Carl Edwards has a new vigor for the Chase in the competition in the Nextel Cup, and something like a collision in a race early on the pit it road is the last possible thing to keep him from it.Racing ahead with a zest after dropping down to the 38th place, due to the collision with Juan Montoya’s Dodge just 10 laps into the race on the pit road, he finished at a respectable second on the California Speedway in the Sharp Aquos 500
“We fought back from that all day and I was really proud of my guys,” Edwards said. “The pit stops were awesome.”
Quickly after Joe Nemechek started having engine trouble while on the Lap 9, Edwards was darting for his pit stall for a routine service. The collision happed due to; Juan Montoya who was also aiming for the pit stall box directly in front of Edwards who had started 19th in the Race.
The crew chief Bob Osborne is the man to call the shots as to when Edwards leaves the pit safely, usually with no problems however this was one rare case and the car collided with the other.
“On the first pit stop when they dropped the jack, Montoya was coming in the pit stall in front of me and we pulled right out in front of him,” Edwards said.
The No 99 Ford was damaged though not severely enough to undertake major repair work. Montoya however could not recover and ended up being the 33rd rank.
“It’s Bob Osborne’s fault, you know what I mean?” Edwards said. “He apologized to all of us after the race and it was just a mistake.
” Bobby Hudson said to watch the 42. I was looking in my mirror and the way the sun was kind of setting, I don’t think Bob could see which one was the 42. I know I couldn’t.”
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