BobbyHamiltonRacing.com
No. 18 RoadLoans Dodge Chase Montgomery Texas Race Review
11-08-2005 | Gladeville, TN

RoadLoans Driver Chase Montgomery over came a penalty on pit road that forced him a lap down halfway through the 147-lap event to finish 20th in the Silverado 350 at Texas Motor Speedway. It was Montgomery’s ninth top-20 finish of the season.

“That is the best truck I have had the entire season,” said Montgomery. “I was tight at different times during the race which made it hard to pass at first, but I was able to find another line. It drove so smooth and was awesome on fresh tires. I wish we could have finished closer to the front, but things did not go our way like we needed to at the end of the race.”

• Montgomery qualified 16th for the 23rd race of the season. It was his third top-20qualifying effort of the season.
• In the opening laps Montgomery radioed the truck was bouncing around a lot making it difficult to drive. Despite the condition he was able to stay within the top-20.
• The second caution waved on lap 40 for debris. Montgomery was running 23rd when he entered the pits for four fresh tires, fuel and a major track bar adjustment. He restated in 25th position.
• Immediately after the restart the truck developed a tight condition making it hard for Montgomery to pass.
• The caution came out of lap 31 for the third time allowing Montgomery to pit and fix the tight condition. The team changed right sides only and made another track bar adjustment. He was held on pit road for one lap for pitting outside the mandated pit box. The penalty put the No. 18 RoadLoans Dodge one lap down in 29th position.
• The fourth caution waved at the nick of time on lap 89 allowing Montgomery to be the beneficiary of the lucky dog. Montgomery told Crew Chief Kip McCord, “ It is a little tight, but is driving the best it has all night.” McCord made the decision to pit for four tires and make a minor adjustment. He restated in the 26th position.
• By lap 120 Montgomery had raced his way back into the top-20.
• The sixth and final caution came out on lap 133. McCord told Montgomery to stay out hoping he would gain track position if the leaders pitted. He restarted in 17th position.
• Montgomery finished 20th in the Silverado 350. It was his ninth top-20 finish of the season. 
 
“I am disappointed with our finish, but happy at the same time”, said Montgomery after the race. “We were better than 20th place, but got behind with the penalty on pit road. I don’t agree with the NASCAR official and I will investigate the situation more. I was close to the line, but I was not over it. There was nothing I could do to change it during the race. I am just glad we were able to overcome it to finish 20th. We will pack up and get them again in Phoenix.”

Todd Bodine won the Silverardo 350.  Mike Skinner, Kyle Busch, David Starr and David Reuitmann followed in the top five.