Team News

2010 Both Promising and Frustrating for Montoya

By: Jay Hart, Yahoo!Sports.com

July 1, 2010

2010 Both Promising and Frustrating for Montoya

Juan Pablo Montoya turned a lot of heads in 2009, when first he rallied to make the Chase, then looked to be a legitimate title threat through the first six races.

All that led to high expectations entering 2010, and for his part Montoya hasn’t disappointed. He’s been fast all season. Problem is, he’s been caught up in just about every possible mess imaginable, which is why with nine races to go before the Chase begins, Montoya, sitting 22nd in the standings, is now a long shot to make NASCAR’s playoff.

Yahoo! Sports recently sat down with Montoya, one of only two drivers to win the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, to ask about his season, comparing NASCAR to other forms of racing and who’s the best driver he’s ever competed against.
1. 2010 – frustrating or promising?
Montoya: From the team-side of things, it’s been really good. Results-wise it’s been hard because we have very good race cars but we’ve been involved in a lot of people’s crashes. They wreck and we’ve been behind them, and we’ve been really unlucky from that point of view. So it’s been hard to get very good results.
I think we’re way behind where we need to be, but you gonna have seasons like that. You can’t expect to go out and be great every week, know what I mean?
I think we really understand that. We know what it takes. I don’t think with how many races still to go, with how good of race cars we have, we can’t really give up – neither of us [teammate Jamie McMurray].
As a team, it’s a shame if we get to miss the Chase, but I think overall we still got a lot of spin in the car. So in a way, I’m happy because we got two good sponsors, two good drivers, two good teams, good results as a team, and you can’t be disappointed in that, know what I mean.
You know, there’s been a lot of really good teams to miss the Chase and not everybody fits in, so it’s part of what it is.
2. We, the media, tend to make a big deal about you winning on an oval. You obviously want to win, but how big a deal is that to you?
Montoya: No. It’s part of what it is. It’s not like we’re not trying. I’m hoping it comes pretty soon, to tell you the truth, but if it doesn’t we’re still working hard at it.
It’s more because the way the points are, it’s so important to finish, know what I mean, especially in the position we’re in right now. If you’re second, sometimes you’re better off finishing second rather than trying to win and finish fifth or seventh or 35th because you wrecked on the last lap.
3. You used a conservative approach to qualify for last year’s Chase. Right now, you’re almost 200 points out of the top 12. What’s your approach to get back into this year’s hunt?
Montoya: No, you gotta be fast every week. We have to have luck on our side and not be involved in any wrecks. We just got to be lucky as well.
4. Assuming the timing can be worked out, how interested are you in doing the Indy 500-Coke 600 double?
Montoya: Ahhh, not really. Not at the moment. You ask me today I’ll probably say no.
5. From your perspective, what’s the most prestigious race in the world to win?
Montoya: Well, I grew up an open wheel guy, so to me Monaco was always a big deal. I think today, I don’t know. But, Monaco has always been to me the one you always wanted to win.
6. Who’s the best driver you’ve ever raced against?
Montoya: I don’t know. It depends on how good the car is. Most of the time whoever is considered the best driver most of the time has the best car.
Who are some of the best?
Montoya: You gotta consider a guy like [Michael] Schumacher being really good. You have to consider guys like [Mika] Hakkinen to be really good. At the same time, you have guys like Jeff Gordon. Since I’ve been here, he hasn’t really done much. He’s been in the Chase and stuff and is still one of the best cars out there, but Jimmie [Johnson] has been beating his ass pretty easily.
So, it’s really hard to judge. There’s been a lot of good drivers that I’ve raced against, and some I’ve been able to beat. So I can’t really complain.
7.  What’s the toughest series you’ve ever raced in?
Montoya: From racing perspective, this one. I think the racing is very competitive, very close. This one, you still have to have a lot of technology and the right driver to make the cars better, whereas in Formula 1 if you’re in the right car you’re pretty much going to get the job done.
8. What’s the most frivolous thing you spend money on?
Montoya: Golf and wind surfing. My handicap is about a seven or eight right now.
9. Are you watching the World Cup?
Montoya: I normally don’t follow soccer, but I’m following it a little bit. I’ve never been a big soccer guy.
9½: One thing I want fans to know about me is …
Montoya: I’m who I am, and if people like it, good. I’m not here to impress people. I’m here to get the job done.