Earnhardt Ganassi Racing/Target Racing/Team Target Tallies Another Top-10 Finish in Phoenix

Results from Phoenix International Raceway
1. Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Chevrolet
5. Martin Truex Jr., No. 1 Rain-X® Chevrolet
8. Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Target Chevrolet

Avondale, AZ. - The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is coming to a close as teams entered Phoenix International Raceway for race nine of the 10 race Chase for the Championship. Team Target came into the weekend sixth in points and looking to gain some ground on the top five. Juan Pablo Montoya would run in the top-10 the entire race and eventually cross the finish line in the eighth position. It marked the team’s 18th top-10 of the season and the strong finish moved Montoya within four points of the fifth position in the Chase standings.

Team Target started the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 from the 17th position and wasted no time moving to the front under a long green flag run. By lap 68, Montoya had settled into the top-10 and never looked back. Just four pit stops were made throughout the 312-lap event for fuel, tires and minor adjustments to help with the handling of the car.

The race would be run primarily under green flag conditions with only 23 laps displayed under caution. The final caution flag of the day waved on lap 171 and Montoya restarted in the 10th position. Over the course of the next 134 green flag laps Montoya was able to gain a few valuable positions and take the checkered flag in the eighth position.

The 2009 season finale is up next as 12 Chase drivers battle it out for the last time at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Montoya and Team Target enter the race looking for their first oval track win of the season and a shot at finishing out the season in the top-five of the point standings. Montoya currently sits 289 points out of first and just four points out of fifth.

The Ford 400 will air on ABCTV and stations affiliated with MRN radio on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m. (EDT).

For more information log onto: www.earnhardtganassi.com