Subscribe to this blog's feed« That makes me... the winner? | Main | Make The Whole Team Sit!! »
June 26, 2007
Juan Pablo Montoya is King
By Mark Young
Well Juan Pablo Montoya did it. He won his first ever NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Sunday in dramatic fashion. I think this is a great thing for NASCAR though many people don't agree. There appears to a large contingent of "fans" out there that think Montoya doesn't belong or doesn't deserve the credit he gets from the media. Well people I think he deserves every ounce of credit and then some, that is why I have crowned him King Of France Mountain for the week.
U WANT SOME?
Some have said he drives too aggressive, does anyone remember Dale Earnhardt? How about the beatin' and bangin' Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart did at the end of the race on Sunday? Oh that's right they are REAL NASCAR DRIVERS. For some reason people out there feel he shouldn't here and won't recognize him as a true driving talent. Face it people this is diversity at it's finest.
JPM is the most talented road racing driver in NASCAR, period. In fact, I would stick my neck out and say by the time JPM is done in NASCAR he will be compared to the all-time greats as one of the best to get behind the wheel of a stock car. He will figure out how to drive ovals, we have seen glimpses of the future when he ran so well at Atlanta, he will win races other than road courses.
Congratulations Juan Pablo, well done.
June 26, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
Mark,
JPM did indeed run a good race and is a deserving champion. I would have been more impressed had it not been a "fuel" finish, but he took the gamble and won. Congrats. Overall though, I'd have to say, "RCR conquered the mountain on Sunday," by placing 2,3 and 4.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 26, 2007 11:19:29 AM
Mark, getting a little carried away in Montoya-mania don't ya think? The most talented road racer in NASCAR? Get real! Montoya was barely a top ten car all day, and he won by fuel mileage, as everyone knows. Yeah he was Superman at Mexico City, but he sure wasn't invincible against the Cup guys. Sure, he is talented, and one day he may be the top road racer in NASCAR, but surely not now.
Right now, Montoya has a lot of catching up to do before he can be mentioned in the same sentence as Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Robby Gordon as far a the top road racers in NASCAR. MOntoya is probably in the second tier of road racers such as kevin harvick, jimmie johnson, ryan newman, mcmurray, and kurt busch.
Posted by: keith12 | Jun 26, 2007 11:22:41 AM
keith12,
This Keith also agrees that it's a bit early to be comparing Montoya to the likes of Earnhardt, Allison (Take your pick), Pearson, Petty...etc. as "One of the Greatest drivers in NASCAR." He has spirit and he won a road course. I like it so far, but I'm not crowning him King of NASCAR!
Posted by: Keith | Jun 26, 2007 11:44:49 AM
Time will tell Keith, time will tell.
I say put all of those names you mentioned in the same type of car set up identical and the times would show the difference.
Posted by: Mark | Jun 26, 2007 11:45:45 AM
Oh yeah, total fuel finish all the way .. he worked all the way up to 3rd before challenging for the top stop because everyone else was low on fuel and didn't want to race the rookie who was expected to run out of fuel and then they could coast on by him while they were crossing the finish line .. OH WAIT, THATS WHAT HE DID! Get real, he worked his way to the top and didn't stop or give up like like all the "experienced" drivers did!
Posted by: SCWhiteman | Jun 26, 2007 11:53:49 AM
Fuel finish...Bah! Sure he won by conserving fuel and tires, but is that part of what it takes to win races? It does not matter if you win by saving fuel and tires or just "barn-storming" your way to the front. The fact of the matter is that Montoya now has a NASCAR Cup win under his belt. The rest of you guys can stop whining now.
Is he up there with the other NASCAR greats? NO, but before he's done he will be!
Posted by: Jim | Jun 26, 2007 12:17:47 PM
I think Juan has a long way to go before being in the same status as a road racer as Jeff Gordon. But winning in his first road course start definitely is impressive.
I like Juan Pablo Montoya, especially since he told off Michael Schumaker for bashing NASCAR. I just hope he doesn't make too many enemies banging on everyone.
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Jun 26, 2007 12:22:44 PM
Let's see Jeff wins with a steaming engine that shouldn't have made it. Next he wins when the rains stop the race. It's a combination of luck and skill. Exactly the scenario that happened at Sonoma on Sunday.
Posted by: Rich | Jun 26, 2007 12:35:07 PM
Mark, the non-open wheel fans, especially those that do not follow Formula One, are finding out what a talented driver Juan Pablo Montoya is.
I predicted Juan Pablo would win a race this season, but I wasn't sure if Ganassi's Avenger (aka COT) would be set up to win this soon. I thought it would be in the Charger. Now I wouldn't be surprised if he backed up his win this weekend at Loudon.
When JPM called Chip Ganassi and talked about driving the 42, NASCAR's Diversity Program took a positive step forward, and no one in Daytona Beach was even a part of the decision.
Juan Pablo Montoya has driven and won on the streets of Monaco, won the Indianapolis 500, participated in Tony Stewart’s “Prelude to a Dream” at Eldora Speedway, and now has road course wins in NASCAR’s Busch and NEXTEL Cup series.
It is sad to know there are fans that don’t think JPM is a “real NASCAR driver,” but he is. Those fans need to learn to accept it, or go find another sport to watch.
There is no doubt Juan Pablo Montoya should be crowned KOFM.
Well done Mark!
Posted by: Shirley | Jun 26, 2007 12:35:49 PM
Mark,
One of the great drivers in the world today, I'll concede. Just the fact that he's even allowed to touch the gas pedal, with the engine running, tells us that. How his skill set translates into NASCAR greatness, we'll have to see. Federov, could be the worlds greatest badmitten player...if, he could translate his skill set to it. And, if he maintained interest in it long enough. I want to see JP's continued interest in NASCAR before I bestow awards.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 26, 2007 1:00:31 PM
Rich,
The topic was Montoya. Stop defending Sonora...it's all over now. Take a deep breath.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 26, 2007 1:02:13 PM
Mark , your an idiot . One little nudge that Stewart and Gordon gave each other at the very end of the race doesn't compare to the numerous incidents that Montoya had throughout the race . There was zero chance Montoyas would have gotten a top 5 much less a win if it hadn't been for fuel mileage . King of luck is the only award Montoya wins .
Posted by: Eric | Jun 26, 2007 1:02:29 PM
Not a fan of Juan or Robby Gordon but Gordon was the best car hands down. They really blew the pit strategy though. A win is a win in Juan's case, but in my opinion Gordon and team dropped the ball.
Congrats to Montoya but now the going get's tougher. Nobody is giving him a break anymore after yesterday. Mainly the 2 and 48! :P
Posted by: Scott | Jun 26, 2007 1:05:43 PM
Most talented road driver in nascar period ? OMFG . You are on crack . If Montoya outdrives everyone and wins at Watkins Glen and I don't mean through fuel mileage I will stop watching nascar forever and resort to golf only on sundays .
Posted by: Eric | Jun 26, 2007 1:06:36 PM
Kurt Smith,
Now, if anyone was more arrogant than, say, Kurt Busch. It would be Shumaker.
I like JP and if he doesn't get his nose up in the air to the fans, like F1/Indy racers, I'll like him more.
I think he's learning that, "Rubbin' is Racin'." I'm not sure he's used to give and take, yet. I'm still not buying a Montoya hat...But, if given one, I wouldn't throw it in the trash, either.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 26, 2007 1:13:05 PM
Hey Eric, I don't run around calling people idiots, show me the same respect. We all have opinions and that is the beauty of these blogs.
Posted by: Mark | Jun 26, 2007 1:26:26 PM
I have no problem with JPM being in Nascar. I personally dislike his pompous attitude. He was calling out Busch series drivers after his second ever start last fall. Regardless of his accomplishments elsewhere, he was and still is a rookie, and should show others respect.
And yeah, he won a road course race, but let's all admit it. He has been below average on ovals, with the exception of Texas and Atlanta, where there is alot of attrition. Let's wait and see how Montoya handles the second half of the year before we toot his horn too loudly.
Posted by: keith12 | Jun 26, 2007 1:47:44 PM
JPM could quit tomorrow and move onto Daytona Prototype cars and I would still say he is a fantastic driver. One discipline of racing shouldn't be the measuring stick........
Posted by: Mark | Jun 26, 2007 1:55:32 PM
Mark,
Ahhhhhh, but every form, of every type of competition, has measuring sticks. We all measure Woods at golf, Federov at tennis...etc etc. I'm not sure we'll ever see a NASCAR Championship out of Montoya unless he has totally committed to it. And, even if he has, how focused will he be, for how long, with a team that doesn't deliver one? And, how tempted would he be to go back to F1 with increased fame in America?
Posted by: Keith | Jun 26, 2007 2:09:01 PM
Mark,
I agree, JPM is a great driver. I would not go far to say that he is the best stock car road racer in Nascar. One win does not make a "greatest". He probably is the best all around "road racer" in Nascar (boris could match him in anything other than an open wheel car).
I don't agree that he will prove to be one of the all time Nascar greats. Too much competition, not in the best equipment, and learing to wheel a stock car is still a whole different bird.
Posted by: Michael | Jun 26, 2007 2:11:26 PM
Eric,
Change it to, "Mark, what the heck were you thinking?
Think of the blogs as a sports bar. Guys/Gals, we love to discuss our sport. I'm from Buffalo, so, maybe, we discuss over a pitcher and some wings. You call me an idiot and I'm ordering another pitcher...the other one spilled.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 26, 2007 2:16:42 PM
Michael I may have been a little too passionate when I said greatest but I think a lot of people will think differently in towo or three years.
Posted by: Mark | Jun 26, 2007 2:24:02 PM
Unfortunately Mark, ovals are the measuring stick as far as nascar is concerned. maybe not motorsports as a whole. JPM is a great driver, no one is disputing that, i just think it is way too early to say that he will be one of the all-time greats.
I actually agree with Michael's statement.
Posted by: keith12 | Jun 26, 2007 2:49:11 PM
Mark, I agree that it's a bit early to call JPM NASCAR's best road racer. He simply hasn't had time to establish a track record. He may become the best, but not yet.
I also thought Sunday's race was a big one for him in other ways. First, he apologized for the Busch incident. He's learning (sometimes the hard way) when rubbin' is racin' and when it's wreckin'. That's a tough lesson to learn, but he's learning. Second, he was patient. This wasn't the guy who punted his teammate with nine laps to go in Mexico City when everyone agreed that he would have passed him in a couple of laps in any event. Instead, he waited for his chance. ("It's not time to start racing those guys yet.")
It was also nice to hear him give a nod to the other drivers. I think he was really impressed by the road skills of some of the top cars, and it's good he acknowledges it.
Finally, Keith makes a good point: will JPM stay with this gig? Will he stick aournd long enough to win on an oval? I bet that the day he wins on an oval we'll see the happiest Montoya we've ever seen because he knows, as do we, that to be a NASCAR winner, you gotta win on the ovals.
Posted by: Doug in CA | Jun 26, 2007 2:50:46 PM
Mark, JPM did drive a Daytona Prototype at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona this year.
And guess what?
His team won the DP class and were the overall winners.
Posted by: Shirley | Jun 26, 2007 2:59:38 PM
Post a comment
Advertisements
