Montoya and NASCAR***SPOILER***

I'm starting this thread because it seems that even though many people here find NASCAR repugnant, there continues to be some interest in Juan Pablo's future in racing. Some, as I, think he has great potential and driving skills. Paired with the right car and team, I believe he can succeed in any series. Soooooooooooo, in order to keep the JPM news out of the F1 thread(s) [where it clearly doesn't belong any more], I'm starting a new one. Since it's marked as a spoiler, you're free to give results without being flamed.

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Shouldn't the thread title be "Crash Montoya and NASCRAP ***spoilers don't matter***"

Sorry...couldn't resist

I hate NASCAR, but love Montoya and am interested in watching his NASCAR adventures...so I like the thread.

Originally Posted by #98

I hate NASCAR, but love Montoya and am interested in watching his NASCAR adventures...so I like the thread.

Thank you very much...matches my sentiments.

I'm not a big fan of watching the roundy-round (although the actual driving is something entirely different), NASCAR on a road course is truly fantastic.

I have started watching Nascar more of late because I love just about anything that involves four wheels and driving fast. It is my least favorite form of paved track racing but can be interesting.

JPM was my favorite F1 driver and I was dissapointed to see him leave the series. With that said, I will follow his career in Nascar closely.

His first ARCA race this past weekend was nothing short of outstanding! Speed News did a great indepth feature on him that included his discussions with his spotter and team manager. I was impressed at his attitude toward learning in the early stages of the race and then how he took control toward the end. His save when he was hit was unbelievable. There are not many drivers in any series that would have kept that car on the road in that situation.

I can't wait to see JPM at the Glen and Infineon!

Keep the thread alive!!!

I am now ready for the:

JV and CRASHCAR *** SPOILER ***

Lets have it Berford!


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Originally Posted by Patrick

I am now ready for the:

JV and CRASHCAR *** SPOILER ***

Lets have it Berford!


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Have you ever seen Jacques featured in my signature? That should be a clue regarding my interest in a thread of that nature. Perhaps I would show a passing interest if you started such a thread. Or maybe franka would like to do so.

Originally Posted by berford

Have you ever seen Jacques featured in my signature? That should be a clue regarding my interest in a thread of that nature. Perhaps I would show a passing interest if you started such a thread. Or maybe franka would like to do so.

I have had sigs turned OFF since 2001, so I really can't say!


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Originally Posted by Patrick

I have had sigs turned OFF since 2001, so I really can't say!


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I see. Well, if you would turn them back on temporarily, you'd see that Montoya is featured as one of my favorites--has been for years...and Jacques, um, ISN'T. Although I don't have anything against JV, he just doesn't do anything for me (although I enjoyed reading his parting shots at MS--sure, they amount to sour grapes, but they're mostly on point, IMHO.)

I truly believe that JPM is one of the very best at the game. Many people think he is overly brash, but I see him as cutting through the BS and getting to the point of the matter without worrying about being politically correct (as shown in the first posted on the F1 thread [post number 1001, courtesy of #98] showing his "discussion" about Spoonface's dangerous move against him.) And although there are those who believe all of his accidents are the result of his errant driving, I believe he has been the victim in at least half the incidents he's been involved in in F1. Of course he will never (or seldom) admit fault unreservedly, he HAS been at fault at times. I think it's just the nature of the beast not to admit fault in F1 (and other sports.) It may, indeed, be more prevalent in motor sports because of societal conditioning (if you can stomach that term--perhaps my coinage; perhaps not). That is, when most anyone is faced with reporting his or her version of an auto accident to the authorities, it's natural to look for blame in others, not yourself. To me, it doesn't look or sound stupid, it sounds human. Enough already.

Too bad he doesn't drive as well as he talks.

Same with JV.

interesting article:

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/s...t&lid=tab5pos2

Lest we lose sight of what's happening to JPM, here's a career update: http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns17706.html

Key here: "He's going to be good." YUP.

JPM's personal website is back up. Since he left Maclaren it has been down but his NASCAR info is now up. Some pages are still under construction.

http://www.jpmontoya.com/Templates/s...x?Page_ID=2669&

Thanks for the link KU Ned. I was browsing the website and read through his career stats.

It says he became CART champ in 1999, but finished 9th in the next season. Was he driving for the same team in 2000? If yes, why did he fail to repeat the previous year's success?

Originally Posted by Alex Baumann

It says he became CART champ in 1999, but finished 9th in the next season. Was he driving for the same team in 2000? If yes, why did he fail to repeat the previous year's success?

In 2000 Team Ganassi switched from Honda to (then unproven) Toyota. The gamble didn't pay off.

Originally Posted by elbert

In 2000 Team Ganassi switched from Honda to (then unproven) Toyota. The gamble didn't pay off.

Ah, that explains it then. Thanks

From Montoya's site:

Montoya Finishes 28th in Busch Series Race at Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas (November 4, 2006) - Juan Pablo Montoya finished 28th in his second NASCAR start in the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge at Texas Motor Speedway. The team made an unscheduled pit stop on lap 42 when the Dodge Charger made contact with the outside wall and were unable to make up the laps.

“The Texaco/Havoline Dodge was a little tight all day,” said Montoya. “I clipped the wall early in the race that put us a few laps down. It was definitely a top-10 car, but we are here to learn and get prepared for next season. We qualified well, the car ran well and I learned a lot and that’s why I’m here.”

Montoya qualified for the O’Reilly Challenge in the 10th position, but had to drop to the rear of the field for the green flag. The left-front valance was damaged after Montoya’s qualifying effort, and due to NASCAR’s impound policy the Texaco/Havoline crew could not fix the car until the race. Crew chief Brad Parrott didn’t want to take any chances at the start of the race, so he called Montoya down pit road during the warm-up laps to repair the valance. NASCAR rules state Montoya now had to drop back to the tail end of the longest line for the start.

Montoya told Parrott the car was initially loose shortly after NASCAR waved the green flag. When the caution flag fell on lap 4, Montoya drove the Texaco/Havoline Dodge down pit road for a wedge adjustment and fuel. Racing resumed on lap 8 with Montoya in the 34th position. By lap 20, Montoya had maneuvered the No. 42 Dodge around four cars to take over the 30th position.

The caution flag waved on lap 29, and Montoya relayed to the team the car was still very loose. He pitted on lap 31 and the Texaco/Havoline team made several changes. After making an air pressure adjustment in the right-rear tire, the crew changed all four Goodyear’s, took a spring rubber out of the right rear and made a chassis adjustment. The team’s quick stop moved Montoya up to 25th for the restart on lap 34.

Montoya soon found himself involved in three-wide racing. He was caught up in the outside groove when he made contact with the wall. The Texaco/Havoline Dodge was damaged on the right side, so Montoya came down pit road to have the fenders pulled out and right side tires put on the car. By lap 42, Montoya was now in the 41st position and two laps down to the leaders.

The caution finally waved on lap 64 with just 30 cars remaining on the lead lap. Montoya pitted on lap 71 to have a spring rubber removed from the left rear, the trackbar raised, four tires changed and fuel. The green flag waved on lap 73 with Montoya in 34th. Attrition would help the Texaco/Havoline team as Montoya took over the 33rd position when the No. 4 car pitted on lap 77, and moved up to the 32nd spot after a two-car incident on lap 78.

Although Montoya told Parrott the car was tight and he was laps down to the leader, his lap times were comparable to those running in the top 15. There were only 22 cars remaining on the lead lap when green-flag pit stops began on lap 135. Parrott called Montoya down pit road on lap 137 for a routine stop of four tires and fuel.

Montoya used the closing laps to work on his lap times while running with the top five cars despite being three laps down. He finished his second NASCAR Busch Series race in the 28th position. Montoya’s Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammate Reed Sorenson finished 36th.

Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team will compete again next weekend in the NASCAR Busch Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. It will be Montoya’s third Busch Series competition of his career.

Originally Posted by KU Ned

From Montoya's site:

Montoya Finishes 28th in Busch Series Race at Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas (November 4, 2006) - Juan Pablo Montoya finished 28th in his second NASCAR start in the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge at Texas Motor Speedway. The team made an unscheduled pit stop on lap 42 when the Dodge Charger made contact with the outside wall and were unable to make up the laps.

“The Texaco/Havoline Dodge was a little tight all day,” said Montoya. “I clipped the wall early in the race that put us a few laps down. It was definitely a top-10 car, but we are here to learn and get prepared for next season. We qualified well, the car ran well and I learned a lot and that’s why I’m here.”

Montoya qualified for the O’Reilly Challenge in the 10th position, but had to drop to the rear of the field for the green flag. The left-front valance was damaged after Montoya’s qualifying effort, and due to NASCAR’s impound policy the Texaco/Havoline crew could not fix the car until the race. Crew chief Brad Parrott didn’t want to take any chances at the start of the race, so he called Montoya down pit road during the warm-up laps to repair the valance. NASCAR rules state Montoya now had to drop back to the tail end of the longest line for the start.

Montoya told Parrott the car was initially loose shortly after NASCAR waved the green flag. When the caution flag fell on lap 4, Montoya drove the Texaco/Havoline Dodge down pit road for a wedge adjustment and fuel. Racing resumed on lap 8 with Montoya in the 34th position. By lap 20, Montoya had maneuvered the No. 42 Dodge around four cars to take over the 30th position.

The caution flag waved on lap 29, and Montoya relayed to the team the car was still very loose. He pitted on lap 31 and the Texaco/Havoline team made several changes. After making an air pressure adjustment in the right-rear tire, the crew changed all four Goodyear’s, took a spring rubber out of the right rear and made a chassis adjustment. The team’s quick stop moved Montoya up to 25th for the restart on lap 34.

Montoya soon found himself involved in three-wide racing. He was caught up in the outside groove when he made contact with the wall. The Texaco/Havoline Dodge was damaged on the right side, so Montoya came down pit road to have the fenders pulled out and right side tires put on the car. By lap 42, Montoya was now in the 41st position and two laps down to the leaders.

The caution finally waved on lap 64 with just 30 cars remaining on the lead lap. Montoya pitted on lap 71 to have a spring rubber removed from the left rear, the trackbar raised, four tires changed and fuel. The green flag waved on lap 73 with Montoya in 34th. Attrition would help the Texaco/Havoline team as Montoya took over the 33rd position when the No. 4 car pitted on lap 77, and moved up to the 32nd spot after a two-car incident on lap 78.

Although Montoya told Parrott the car was tight and he was laps down to the leader, his lap times were comparable to those running in the top 15. There were only 22 cars remaining on the lead lap when green-flag pit stops began on lap 135. Parrott called Montoya down pit road on lap 137 for a routine stop of four tires and fuel.

Montoya used the closing laps to work on his lap times while running with the top five cars despite being three laps down. He finished his second NASCAR Busch Series race in the 28th position. Montoya’s Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammate Reed Sorenson finished 36th.

Montoya and the Texaco/Havoline team will compete again next weekend in the NASCAR Busch Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. It will be Montoya’s third Busch Series competition of his career.

Never having been a NASCAR fan, I'm curious whether all runners get this much play-by-play coverage in the press.

Originally Posted by berford

Never having been a NASCAR fan, I'm curious whether all runners get this much play-by-play coverage in the press.

Guess so. I'm a long time NASCAR fan, and I've never heard of this guy.

Willie Allen and FitzBradshaw Racing Partner For Phoenix
Rookie driver ready to take on the challenge of Phoenix International Raceway

Nashville, TN - Willie Allen will make his second NASCAR Busch Series start this Saturday at the Arizona Travel 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. Allen's first NASCAR Busch Series attempt came just two weeks ago with FitzBradshaw Racing at Memphis Motorsports Park. Qualifying an amazing 4th, Allen made a strong impression with the FitzBradshaw team and will once again pilot the #14 Family Dollar Dodge this weekend in Phoenix.

"We are looking forward to having Willie in the Family Dollar Dodge in Phoenix," said Team Owner Armando Fitz. "With his qualifying effort in Memphis and the manner in which he raced, he showed that he can compete successfully at the NASCAR Busch Series level."

Allen had the opportunity to become familiar with the Phoenix International Raceway in 2005 driving in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. "Driving in Phoenix is a blast," said Allen. "It is a challenging track and I'm looking forward to taking that challenge with the FitzBradshaw team. I'm very thankful to Armando and the entire crew for giving me another opportunity with them. I think we will have a great weekend."

This has been a very successful year for Allen in short track racing. He was crowned the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Points Champion at the Music City Motorplex in Nashville and finished 8th nationally in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division IV standings. Allen hopes to stay hot in Phoenix and add to his career total of 69 wins, 118 top 5's and 156 top 10's.

I guess this qualifies as news...so far, anyway.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns17770.html

Good luck to JPM.

The news is all just as boring as the series. I'm no longer even curious...unsubscribing now.

Originally Posted by dwette

The news is all just as boring as the series. I'm no longer even curious...unsubscribing now.

Your point is made. I don't like NASCAR racing either. But I've always liked Montoya...and I wish him well. Nuf sed.

Originally Posted by Pinecone

Too bad he doesn't drive as well as he talks. Same with JV.

That could probably be said about you too. Nothing personal you understand.