Quite possibly the future of NASCAR has arrived. Fans had better get used to Juan Pablo Montoya, who is 100 percent racer.
Montoya arrived in NASCAR with much fanfare. The Colombian native got famous in open-wheel racing, and his credentials are impeccable. That’s what winning a CART series championship, the Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Daytona will do for a career.
But what Montoya did Sunday in Mexico City really sent a message. Montoya aggressively raced Scott Pruett, knocked him out of the way and won the Busch Series race down there. There’s nothing uncommon about that except for one thing: Pruett is Montoya’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammate. Pruett was quite upset.
Montoya is a pure racer. Cars were racing around the road course, and Montoya was going to do everything he could to win the race. Pruett was in the way. He just happened to be Montoya’s teammate.
It worked for Montoya, but the question is how that will play in the garage. Chances are, not very well. NASCAR is a team sport and an individual one all at the same time. Some drivers go into orbit over any perceived slight or supposed misdeed on the track. Some are very hypocritical when it comes to their own actions. It’s OK if they do it but not if someone does it to them.
Dale Earnhardt would have given that wry smile of his and said, “That’s racing.” No doubt that’s the greatest quote in the history of NASCAR. And that’s what Montoya did. He raced and won.
More at Lexington Dispatch
- NASCAR showing favoritism toward Montoya?
- Montoya to Gibbs? Don’t bet on it
- Pruett and Montoya issue statements on Mexico accident
- Montoya now pleased with team’s direction
- Montoya says he’s staying at Ganassi
Montoya is going to be sick at NASCAR, he looked like a man among boys in that Busch race!
The future of Nascar? Are you kidding me?? I have nothing against Montoya but please people. He win’s a and you act like he’s the next multi champion like Gordon or Earnhardt. None the less it was a road course. That’s not anything new to him. I honestly was excited to have Montoya enter Nascar because him from a Mexican background but he is being publiscised and praised to much. Im not saying he wont become a Cup champion one day but slow it down a little. Give him time to prove himself. For God sakes it was a Busch road course. Was it any suprise?
I agree Andy. The future? Come on! I mean, he’s a good driver and al, but the future?? I dont get it. You’ve got guys like Kahne, Jr, Jeff, Jimmie that have also proven that they’re good too. As well as many other drivers. This was a Busch race, and a road course at that…he’s got background with roadcourses. I dont think he’s the future of NASCAR, but he is good.
CORRECTION ANDY, MONTOYA HAS NO MEXICAN BACKGROUND.
HE WAS BORN WAY MORE SOUTH IN AMERICA, HE IS A COLOMBIA
NATIVE. AND COMING FROM A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY MAKES HIS
ACCOMPLISHMENTS MUCH GREATER. IF YOU ARE NOT IMPRESSED
YET, JUST WATCH HIM WIN THE 2007 CHAMPIONSHIP AS A ROOKIE.
IT’S WELL WITHIN HIS REACH, HE IS A SUPER TALENT.