Will today's result show Juan Pablo Montoya that it may be time to move on to a better NASCAR team (if available) or to another series that has a top team with an empty seat.
One has to feel bad for the legions of fans from all over the world who feel that due to his great racing resume Mr. Montoya deserves to race for a top team.
The record shows that EGR -for at least now- is not that team.
Juan Pablo Has done as well as expected with what this team has to offer, lets be honest folks if Jimmie Johnson was driving the #42 car he may gain a spot or two but he will not win a championship.
Can we agree on that.
A few years ago I said that Juan's loyalty to Chip Ganassi might be his biggest downfall, as of tonight Juan Pablo is in his fifth year as a NASCAR driver sitting twentieth on the standings with no hope in sight.
Am I wrong.
I'm sure most No.42 fans, including I, are still hopping for a chase making miracle, maybe he can win three races, Pocono, Watkins Glen and Atlanta.
Maybe, but I doubt if that's going to happen, actually I be willing to bet the Cleveland Browns have a better shot at making the Superbowl than Juan Pablo making the 2011 chase.
Again let me remind you, Juan Pablo is in his fifth year in NASCAR, all with Chip Ganassi, as a Cleveland Browns fan I'm painfully aware of the yearly preaching by media and team principals "we are making improvement" or "wait till next year" or "we are working hard"
You know what I'm talking about. Don't you ?
It's been five years folks. How much longer do they need to become a top ten team.
I know at times I sound like I'm bashing Juan Pablo and EGR but most of you know I'm one of Montoya's biggest fan, you know I'm the first one to call out the broadcasters when they get on their Juan bashing bandwagon.
I'm not a race car expert, I'm just a fan with an opinion, but I do know how to read, the stats are clear, they've had one good year out of five.
Maybe that's success in NASCAR, I don't know, if you know different please explain it to me.
As always this is just a fans opinion and from what I understand everybody has one and I'm thankful for that.
Enough said.
.
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I agree, it's time for Montoya to move on. EGR has had flashes of brilliance, Montoya in the Chase, McMurry's big wins last year, but they have shown they are not a top team.
That being said I am not sure if NASCAR works for Montoya's driving style. Don't get me wrong he is a great driver and has the stats in open wheel to prove that. I just don't think he has what it takes for NASCAR. And he wouldn't be the first proven driver to flunk out of NASCAR.
It just takes a different style to drive a Cup car that I don't think Montoya has adapted to, and he's had 5 years to adapt. So while evaluating his team, maybe he should also evaluate his record in NASCAR.
Raistwalker
Total Comments (2064)
I think you are giving a fair assement but I do think he can drive in NASCAR, the EGR team has a good engine but the problem might be in the budget...it takes money to go fast and hire the right people, I wonder what the diff. is betwen the #42 budget and the- lets say- # 48 or # 18...I think it would be a fair bet is 2 to 1
asifyouknow
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I doubt it is an exact 2 to 1 ration, but with 4 and 3 cars for Hendrick and Gibbs respectively, there is definite advantages to practice and testing. If something isn't working for Montoya he has only McMurry's notes to fall back on while Jimmie Johnson has Gordon, Martin, and Dale Jr's note to go though and find something that would work.
I also think Montoya at times ends up being his own worst enemy. We have seen several times now that when something goes wrong he becomes aggressive and makes his situation in the race worse. At Indy the last couple of years, he has a bad pitstop, or is caught speeding on pit road then tries to make up that time on the track only to end up over doing it and wrecking the car.
We saw the same thing at Sonoma this year. TV comments aside Montoya got a little aggressive with not just 1 but 2 other drivers and they both dumped him. There he could have had a good Top 5 - Top 10 day, but ended up 22nd because of it. This isn't open wheel where drivers will back off in order to keep from touching and destroying the car, this is NASCAR where they can beat and bang. Montoya should have know he's going to get what he gives which is fair, but to then complain, or wonder why you have on friends on track is something he should have learned a long time ago.
Raistwalker
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I think there are a number of times that JPM has accidently hit the self destruct button on the steering wheel.
pondscum
Total Comments (5686)
The Big K punt was uncalled for, that was out of line but Juan will pay him back, it's racing...look we must agree that there are some cry babies in NASCAR, guys that somehow feel they are entitled to the whole track without interruptions, in other words they thing everybody should move out of their way, let me give you some names???.Jeff Gordon is the biggest complainer in cup, he wants -nobody racing him-, second is JJ after those two (funny a four and five time champions are the biggest cry babies ..lol) Harvick, Bowyer, Martin.
Tony will give it up but he will also admit when he had it coming, remember Homestead, his crew chief told him (when Juan wrecked him on purpose)???we deserved that??? and Tony admitted it???one reason I like Tony ..I don???t see any diff. between Tony and Juan when it comes to attitude, the difference in successes is that Tony had Gibbs and now a Hendrick car.
Believe it or not Juan has gained many fans because he is aggressive, NASCAR know the sports needs to stop being so goodie???goodie two shoes .
Ill disagree with you, he does not need to change his racing, he needs to get to a good team,..lets be honest ??? EGR is not..
asifyouknow
Total Comments (1921)
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