JPM

[Tazio]

I never watched much NASCAR until Juan went over. I can't stand the short tracks, but am getting some enjoyment watching the longer ovals. I remember Juan as the guy that would try a pass anywhere on the track in F1. Love him or hate him he kept things interesting. Now he is consistently qualifying ahead of mid-pack and methodically finishing in the top10-20 I never thought I'd be into NASCAR But that's what you can find me doing on Sunday afternoons. Although I do tend to fall to sleep by about the 5th caution :)
http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slug=nascar_com-1.on.1.jmontoya-20090720&prov=nascar_com&type=lgns

[Ari]

Here... let me help you back.

http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=96

:p

[driveace]

From what i saw of it ,Juan Pablo got married,had a child ,and THEN decided he wanted out of F1.Usually its her indoors that says "Be Careful today". That causes the slowdown.Its the young single guys that GO FOR IT !

[UltimateDanGTR]

I never watched much NASCAR until Juan went over. I can't stand the short tracks, but am getting some enjoyment watching the longer ovals. I remember Juan as the guy that would try a pass anywhere on the track in F1. Love him or hate him he kept things interesting. Now he is consistently qualifying ahead of mid-pack and methodically finishing in the top10-20 I never thought I'd be into NASCAR But that's what you can find me doing on Sunday afternoons. Although I do tend to fall to sleep by about the 5th caution :)
http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slug=nascar_com-1.on.1.jmontoya-20090720&prov=nascar_com&type=lgns

You've been converted as well Tazio! I was converted to this great american race series they call NASCAR, I love it. Ofcourse I support JPM because of his F1 connections, I hope he makes it into the chase this year.

Cant believe you dont like the short tracks though, all the races are fun aren't they? :)

Thanks to Nascar I also really want sears point/infineon in F1, what a great track!

as much as Id like to see JPM back in F1, Id rather see him do well in NASCAR first, If he became a star over there and then came back to F1, maybe more americans will be converted to F1 like we were to NASCAR?

Id doubt he'd come back now though, he looks like he's enjoying it too much over there, and I still think he has 'too much pride' to come back after he left. I hope Im wrong though.

[wedge]

What JPM represents is that in this day and age of specialisation he emulates Clark, Andretti, Gurney et al by jumping into a race car, any race car and still be, at the very least, be competitive and be able to run with the front runners.

[airshifter]

Great thread Taz.

I'm not a NASCAR guy really, but was a great supporter of JPM in Formula 1 and remain a supporter of him in whatever motorsport he chooses to try. He was one of the few people in recent F1 times to best the worlds best drivers in equal or lesser cars, and seems to have done so a few times in the NASCAR world as well.

We need more JPMs in racing. To me he's one of the people that have made racing exciting again. A man with the heart and soul of a real racer. Sure there were times he forced a bad move, but there were just as many times me made brilliant moves!


As a side note, a couple years back we went to the NASCAR race in Richmond. JPM had a fairly good race, moving up a number of position until he wasted the car in a wreck, bouncing down the back straight with the car on fire until he jumped out. Our seats were not much past where he ended up.

Where was I? Behind the stands getting a funnel cake for my wife! :laugh: It was the best JPM performance I missed first hand!

[markabilly]

What JPM represents is that in this day and age of specialisation he emulates Clark, Andretti, Gurney et al by jumping into a race car, any race car and still be, at the very least, be competitive and be able to run with the front runners.
a poor emulation.

Clark, Gurney and Andretti won, consistently.......Gurney never won a WDC but gave Clark a run for his money in a few races, but still won or lead everywhere he raced.

Andretti makes even Clark look a distant second, when it comes to competing in different forms of racing, be it dirt tracks, stock cars as in Daytona 500 1967 victory--JPM has never won a major speedway race and Clark never tried, but Andretti showed up and took it, a wdc title (none for JPM despite plenty of opportunities), might have won lemans with some better luck, but took a number of 12 hour endurance races,

And quite over looked when a certain canadian showed uo as a rookie and took pole in the williams (the dominant car that year) was the Andretti before him enterred his first f1 race, took pole, and probably would have won as he looked to being able to take stewart back for the lead, until the car nose split

[Tazio]

JPM has never won a major speedway race
If you exclude the 2000 Indy 500!

[Saint Devote]

Montoya exited f1 because Mclaren booted him.
And he understood that after Mclaren it was downhill from there.

He resides in NASCAR where he still has to learn to win with the big boys and he can weigh sixty pounds more [he really is a very podgy little fellah these days] and it counts for nothing.

Getting married and having kids does not promote a decline in f1 performance - just that being an f1 driver is SO much fun, its towards the end of a career that many drivers decide to "settle down".

These days drivers are generally younger than was the case in previous decades anyway.

[Tazio]

Getting married and having kids does not promote a decline in f1 performance - just that being an f1 driver is SO much fun, its towards the end of a career that many drivers decide to "settle down".

These days drivers are generally younger than was the case in previous decades anyway.I'm glad I let you address that one. I don't think I could be that diplomatic in response to such an obtuse and irrelevant perspective.

[markabilly]

If you exclude the 2000 Indy 500!
actually i was referring to nascar and big speedway tracks they run on (and Andretti only ran a few of those, and scored the Daytona 500.

mac 'fired" him after they learned that he had done a deal for driving nascar

and what is forgotten, is that kimi never dominated JPM as a team mate, and JPM dominanted RS, although after JPM ended up in ronnie d's doghouse, he was not having some good results compared to kimi the last few races, suspicion being that JPM was headed for greener pastures where the pay was better and the racing more fun....

[Tazio]

actually i was referring to nascar and big speedway tracks they run on (and Andretti only ran a few of those, and scored the Daytona 500.

mac 'fired" him after they learned that he had done a deal for driving nascar

and what is forgotten, is that kimi never dominated JPM as a team mate, and JPM dominanted RS, although after JPM ended up in ronnie d's doghouse, he was not having some good results compared to kimi the last few races, suspicion being that JPM was headed for greener pastures where the pay was better and the racing more fun....Thanks for clearing that up for me.
There is another thread where a certain member who I believe once had his image
chiseled out of White Carrera Marble in the Vatican Rotunda,
who argues that Mike had virtually no real competition between Senna, and Alonso,
and only showed up to receive his trophy’s while competing against these really weak performers
like Kimi JPM, DC, Ralf, Mika, Jacques, and others. Every one of these guys in their prime were excellent racers,
yet only two secured a WDC in full careers while Mike collected a paltry seven. :mark:

[wedge]

a poor emulation.

Clark, Gurney and Andretti won, consistently.......Gurney never won a WDC but gave Clark a run for his money in a few races, but still won or lead everywhere he raced.

Andretti makes even Clark look a distant second, when it comes to competing in different forms of racing, be it dirt tracks, stock cars as in Daytona 500 1967 victory--JPM has never won a major speedway race and Clark never tried, but Andretti showed up and took it, a wdc title (none for JPM despite plenty of opportunities),



Clark was Euro-centric. Clark did Indy because of Chapman's ambitions and the money. He only did one NASCAR race at Rockingham, IIRC.

Andretti won WDC in the dominant car cf. JPM/Williams were up against Ferrari/Schumi in 2003 and was up against Kimi & Alonso in 2005.

Dunno what it was like in Andretti's or Gurney's days but DEI Ganassi are hardly a team that can win week in week out.


mac 'fired" him after they learned that he had done a deal for driving nascar

No it wasn't. Ron knew JPM wanted to leave. JPM was talking to different teams but because he was too much of a pain in the ass nobody in F1 wanted him and instead called up Chip Ganassi.

[markabilly]

Face it wedge, someone like JPM should not be mentioned in the same breath as Clark, Gurney and Andretti

[Colin_Harvey]

Andretti makes even Clark look a distant second, when it comes to competing in different forms of racing, be it dirt tracks, stock cars as in Daytona 500 1967 victory

I'd disagree with you there and say that both were equally versatile. Whilst it's true that Clark didn't take much of an interest in dirt tracks or stock cars, the fact is that they are American forms of motor racing and so would appeal less to a driver based in Europe.

Clark, instead, raced in rally events and hill climbs and was of course British Touring Car champion in 1964. Along with F1, Indycars, Le Mans...

So equally versatile. Although Clark the better driver overall.

[wedge]

Face it wedge, someone like JPM should not be mentioned in the same breath as Clark, Gurney and Andretti

That's your opinion that I disagree with and vice versa

[Roamy]

Anyone that wins more than one F1 race qualifies for mention anywhere. F1 is that tough!! However back to JPM. One of the problems with NASCAR is that you can't horse the car to the front. You either have the car or you don't - On road courses in NASCAR a driver has a chance to make up for the car but even that is getting tougher cause the young ones are now paying more attention. True the seats are far more comfortable in NASCAR so you don't have to live at the gym but JPM has it and has proven it!!

[markabilly]

I'd disagree with you there and say that both were equally versatile. Whilst it's true that Clark didn't take much of an interest in dirt tracks or stock cars, the fact is that they are American forms of motor racing and so would appeal less to a driver based in Europe.

Clark, instead, raced in rally events and hill climbs and was of course British Touring Car champion in 1964. Along with F1, Indycars, Le Mans...

So equally versatile. Although Clark the better driver overall.


No way was Clark "close to equally versatile. Although Clark the better driver overall", Nope, while I think Clark and Stewart were the very last of the truly great pure driving talents in F1 to consistently demonstrate those skills, when it comes to who the better driver was in different forms of racing, indeed even in the different forms of f1, over the time period from 1967 to 1990, there is no other driver close.

dirt tracking and the big ovals are completely different and Clark never proved himself in either. Sad though because in terms of sheer speed, it is not clear who was the faster driver, as in 1965 andretti was a rookie, but in 1966 and 1967 in the two later races where Andretti and clark raced together, Andretti took pole in a "brawner" over Clark and others.

One can say, in theory and opinion, Clark this or that, but as to actually demonstrating it on a track, only Andretti is there in a class all by himself. Even in the different forms of f1 as it advanced for some 14 years (yep 14 years) for andretti, who raced f1 as though it were merely a second, lesser series than his primary interests which was racing in the usa........

Even Colin Chapman would say that Andretti had very special skills over any other driver who drove for him, when it came to setting up a car whereas Clark would just drive the car. Probably more than anyone else, he turned the very back of the pack Lotus when he started with the team in 1976 in to a car that would lap the entire field by the last race of the season--and the car that dominated in 1977 and 1978, did so thanks to his skills, in a time before the sheer dominance of aero and data acquisition and engineers with wind tunnels......

indeed, perhaps he better than anyone else, was in the position to judge the older forms of non-wing competition with the later forms...and he made it clear that the requirements of driving skill and feel for the car were rapidly decreasing into what he referred to go karts requiring toggle switch driving or point and squirt, with the car and engineering becoming overall dominant.

I heard him say in 1981 or so in a tv interview, during his year driving the alfa, when asked about the "supreme skills" to race f1, he said that it required far more skill and talent to race competitively at Indy in 1967 than to race f1 in 1981......he should know better than any

JPM is a non qualifier for consideration in the class of Clark, Gurney or Andretti.....

[wedge]

No way was Clark "close to equally versatile. Although Clark the better driver overall", Nope, while I think Clark and Stewart were the very last of the truly great pure driving talents in F1 to consistently demonstrate those skills, when it comes to who the better driver was in different forms of racing, indeed even in the different forms of f1, over the time period from 1967 to 1990, there is no other driver close.

dirt tracking and the big ovals are completely different and Clark never proved himself in either. Sad though because in terms of sheer speed, it is not clear who was the faster driver, as in 1965 andretti was a rookie, but in 1966 and 1967 in the two later races where Andretti and clark raced together, Andretti took pole in a "brawner" over Clark and others.

Andretti and Clark had different upbringings.

Had Clark been born in the USA then undoubtedly he would've digged the oval racing scene and had Andretti family emigrated to England he probably would've done rallying and touring cars.


I heard him say in 1981 or so in a tv interview, during his year driving the alfa, when asked about the "supreme skills" to race f1, he said that it required far more skill and talent to race competitively at Indy in 1967 than to race f1 in 1981......he should know better than any

Pretty much everyone was saying something similar in 1981. Gilles said he hated those cars. It had the equivalence to TC today, drive flat out and no feel from the car except your spine cracking due to the rock hard suspension settings for maximising ground effects.


JPM is a non qualifier for consideration in the class of Clark, Gurney or Andretti.....

Considering he won in CART (in its prime), won in F1 (ability to beat Schumi in a straight fight which is something special to have on CV) and with limited oval racing experience can run in the top 10 week in week out in a non-JGR/Hendrick/Roush machine in NASCAR, JPM is hardly in the same league as Robby Gordon is he?

[markabilly]

Considering he won in CART (in its prime), won in F1 (ability to beat Schumi in a straight fight which is something special to have on CV) and with limited oval racing experience can run in the top 10 week in week out in a non-JGR/Hendrick/Roush machine in NASCAR, JPM is hardly in the same league as Robby Gordon is he?

You are right, he is not in the same league with Robbie, Robbie is better

a few races does not a champion make

as to limited experience, jPM has spent well over three years running almost every weekend in Nascar races........and he usually manages to run at times in the top ten....but most Nascar drivers can say the same thing, thanks to pit stops and such.

finishes is a whole different matter

example: 2007 51 starts, one win on a road course...29th place finish in points

now running the earnhardt ganassi team, not a slouch team at all

just like when he ran cart, he was with a team where the driver should be winning, except he is not

andretti ran only a few races in nascar, had only one victory, the Daytona 500

[wedge]

You are right, he is not in the same league with Robbie, Robbie is better

a few races does not a champion make

as to limited experience, jPM has spent well over three years running almost every weekend in Nascar races........and he usually manages to run at times in the top ten....but most Nascar drivers can say the same thing, thanks to pit stops and such.

finishes is a whole different matter

example: 2007 51 starts, one win on a road course...29th place finish in points

now running the earnhardt ganassi team, not a slouch team at all

just like when he ran cart, he was with a team where the driver should be winning, except he is not

andretti ran only a few races in nascar, had only one victory, the Daytona 500

Different era, we're now in the multi-car team era.

JPM had top 30 car in plate races with Ganassi, now a top 5 car thanks to DEI.

2nd at 2007 Brickyard 400, could've won the race with another 10 laps.

DEI had been on a downhill slope. A lucky win for Jr last year!

Christ, even JPM is beating Martin Truex Jr in points right now.

[markabilly]

Different era, we're now in the multi-car team era.

JPM had top 30 car in plate races with Ganassi, now a top 5 car thanks to DEI.

2nd at 2007 Brickyard 400, could've won the race with another 10 laps.

DEI had been on a downhill slope. A lucky win for Jr last year!

Christ, even JPM is beating Martin Truex Jr in points right now.
Not saying he is doing bad, just that he ain't in Clark, Andretti or Gurney league......never has been and never will.

as to different eras, oh yeah, those guys raced where the driver made all the difference. Put those guys in an average car and you had a contender for the top spot.

Put an average driver in the very best car, and you had an average result

Nowadays, everything is much, much different.

average driver in a great car that suits his tyle, is a contender or near contender.

great driver in an average or worse car, is an average or worst result....and then there is data acquisition which when used right by a great engineer can cure many deficiencies in driving......back then the driver had to cure his own problems, make changes or drive around the problems based on his own skill..

and JPM is specializing, he is not doing F1 in addition to the irl and flying back and forth to do the occaisional F1 race all at the same time....

[Tazio]

You are right, he is not in the same league with Robbie, Robbie is better

a few races does not a champion make

as to limited experience, jPM has spent well over three years running almost every weekend in Nascar races........and he usually manages to run at times in the top ten....but most Nascar drivers can say the same thing, thanks to pit stops and such.

finishes is a whole different matter

example: 2007 51 starts, one win on a road course...29th place finish in points

now running the earnhardt ganassi team, not a slouch team at all

just like when he ran cart, he was with a team where the driver should be winning, except he is not

andretti ran only a few races in nascar, had only one victory, the Daytona 500You old meanie :mad:

He's "9" in the chase. His team mate has abandoned him, with his butt thoroughly whipped
(not that anyone would follow his Columbian @$$ out of line to form a bump, and draft, and you know)draft thingy's :p :.
The good ol' boys always get help when they break file. Juan has to be in the right spot to fall in. becuse early on if he has some speed and pulls out,
there aint no freakin' help for his feriner @ss! :arrows:
You're as bad as the rest of them ol' boys! :down:

[wedge]

and JPM is specializing, he is not doing F1 in addition to the irl and flying back and forth to do the occaisional F1 race all at the same time....

Errr... that was the point I originally made. We're in the era of specialisation but JPM has shown talent to be competitive in any race car which was my original point.

Doing it and hopping off one continent to the next every week is a different story...

[markabilly]

Doing it and hopping off one continent to the next every week is a different story...
but that was my point re about them and why i think what i do...jpm has spent three years almost exclusively, to try to be now number 9 in points...with just one or two victories...those guys just went from one different race to another, back again, and won

[Tazio]

but that was my point re about them and why i think what i do...jpm has spent three years almost exclusively, to try to be now number 9 in points...with just one or two victories...those guys just went from one different race to another, back again, and won

I don't care! about that part of the thread! You come off as a nay sayer in regard to JPM's acomplishment in NASTY CAR I'm not defendind him against any of the great multi-disapline drivers. So carry on bashing him! :p : :arrows:
And I'l keep out of the negativity that this, like every other thread eventually has.
Give the man his props!

[markabilly]

Errr... that was the point I originally made. We're in the era of specialisation but JPM has shown talent to be competitive in any race car which was my original point.

Doing it and hopping off one continent to the next every week is a different story...
What is wrong with me, how could i forget? I fussing over Andretti clark and so forth, but being a motorcycle race nut.....I forgot someone who might be a match for even andretti, and never got the PR he deserved, but jumped from two wheel champ to f1 and a wdc very quckly obtained, built his own race car that won a gp, and who had to bury a son this week......

[Tazio]

What is wrong with me, how could i forget? I fussing over Andretti clark and so forth, but being a motorcycle race nut.....I forgot someone who might be a match for even andretti, and never got the PR he deserved, but jumped from two wheel champ to f1 and a wdc very quckly obtained, built his own race car that won a gp, and who had to bury a son this week......A latter day Nuvolari! :up:

[race aficionado]

Well, you guys that know me know what I feel for my fellow Colombian JPM.

I am a blatant JPM fan that got hooked on his talents of F1 and am now following him in NASCAR.

It's been a great learning curve for both Juan and I. :o

Juan gets better and better on each race and I am learning to enjoy all the different types of oval tracks. And of course when the 2 road courses come they are the best specially when you see Juan navigate himself through the other cars with that heavy bouncing car of his.

Those guys are nuts and seeing them race that close together and at those speeds is awesome.

For me the trick to enjoy the race is to record it - that way I can fast forward through parts of the race that may get boring, specially with the length of the races. I can even start recording it on the same day that I view it but start watching like an hour or two after it has started and I just catch up with the race.

Some things bug me like the yellow cautions that come from nowhere or getting screwed if you pit at the wrong time and then a caution happens but that's part of the NASCAR circus.

Juan is having a ball, he's climbing up the ranks and he's showing the good ol' boys that this latino has big balls and can race those heavy clunkers to the front.

Juan is a true racer and one of the best in the business. Period.

Go JPM!!!
:s mokin:

[wedge]

I don't care! about that part of the thread! You come off as a nay sayer in regard to JPM's acomplishment in NASTY CAR I'm not defendind him against any of the great multi-disapline drivers. So carry on bashing him! :p : :arrows:
And I'l keep out of the negativity that this, like every other thread eventually has.
Give the man his props!

Markabilly has his own opinions and I respect them enough for it to contribute to an enjoyable discussion without having to take cheapshots.

[Tazio]

Markabilly] has his own opinions and I respect them enough for it to contribute to an enjoyable discussion without having to take cheapshots.

Did you see the smiley faces in my post ;)
Marky knows I'm having a little fun with him.
He gives more than he takes.
Stay calm, and enjoy the forum.I am.
And please "don't trip" bro :p :

[markabilly]

Marky knows I'm having a little fun with him.
He gives more than he takes.
:p :
I just noticed and reported that post of yours :mad:
you will be taking some "giving" real soon........

look ma, no smilies

[Tazio]

I just noticed and reported that post of yours :mad:
you will be taking some "giving" real soon........

look ma, no smilies
Like I would actually give a flying F### :laugh:

[markabilly]

Like I would actually give a flying F### :laugh:
I understand, at your age, it don't work like it used to and those erectile disfunction drugs don't either....
May it rest in peace....

.. :s mokin:

[Tazio]

I understand, at your age, it don't work like it used to and those erectile disfunction drugs don't either....
May it rest in peace....

.. :s mokin:DON'T YOU GO FRETTIN' NONE ! ALL MY PARTS ARE IN WORKING ORDER!

[gloomyDAY]

Don't look now, but he's leading at Indy.

[gloomyDAY]

Talked too soon! Drive-through penalty.

[UltimateDanGTR]

thanks gloomyday. you've ruined it for us all.

watching it, and I was so looking foward to him winning, he looked like he was finally gonna do it on a speedway.

annoyed.

[woody2goody]

thanks gloomyday. you've ruined it for us all.

watching it, and I was so looking foward to him winning, he looked like he was finally gonna do it on a speedway.

annoyed.

Me too. He led 116 of the first 126 laps as well... Grr...

[markabilly]

Ripped he was, although Indy is not what i call a big oval more of a simple road type course with four corners, but RIPPED he was....2/10th of a mph over????huh????

where da tazio?? surprized he is not here rubbing it in.
I need to tell him about a new ED drug and foinia.

Miss you guy





/

[ArrowsFA1]

Damn shame for JPM. He owned the race until that penalty. Still, he's in a Chase position and looking increasingly competitive.

[garyshell]

What JPM represents is that in this day and age of specialisation he emulates Clark, Andretti, Gurney et al by jumping into a race car, any race car and still be, at the very least, be competitive and be able to run with the front runners.


a poor emulation.


So who IN THIS DAY would you consider to be a better emulation? Emulation does not mean "the equal of", only "following in the footsteps of".

Gary

[markabilly]

So who IN THIS DAY would you consider to be a better emulation? Emulation does not mean "the equal of", only "following in the footsteps of".

Gary
possibly Vale rossi (seems to turn in some very good times, if he ever switches to f1) or MS, until he fell off his superbike and quit charging forward......and then there is Tony Stewart, who went from midgets to dirt tracks to Indy OW, and has donw well even on road courses to Nasty car (where he has been far more successful than JPM, from day one)....... :D

Tony even throws his helmet better, harder and more accurate, as well as throws much bigger hissie fits than JPM ever could

Proof you want:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NekiBV9b5jE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auAHiW-TGo4&feature=related

[markabilly]

and here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mRY79mat34&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dgNf6eTfuM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-N3U6A6HB4&NR=1

and despite being quite "versatile" both on track and off track--(look at his speed test of the williams f1 at Indy and so forth), this is the reason that gordon ain't on my list as explained here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8yUPpSofZE&feature=related


only an idiot would say nascar ain't the most supreme form of racing

[markabilly]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8yUPpSofZE&feature=related


And that one above is in honor of Tazio......bless his little banned heart :s mokin:

[wedge]

and then there is Tony Stewart, who went from midgets to dirt tracks to Indy OW

Just exacty who did he beat in the IRL?

[markabilly]

Just exacty who did he beat in the IRL?
You should not bring up the past.
Those days are over.
He went to anger managment school....

[wedge]

possibly Vale rossi (seems to turn in some very good times, if he ever switches to f1)

The Ferrari engineers were telling Vale how to drive an F1 car and then Vale sulked like a baby which is why he went back to MotoGP.

[I am evil Homer]

Or his "rally" experience of a glorified circuit race

[markabilly]

The Ferrari engineers were telling Vale how to drive an F1 car and then Vale sulked like a baby which is why he went back to MotoGP.
Not his fault. You would think the ferrari would have some engineers who could speak Etalian.

Besides i heard it was because he found it hard to turn w/o dragging his knee

[D-Type]

So who IN THIS DAY would you consider to be a better emulation? Emulation does not mean "the equal of", only "following in the footsteps of".

Gary
How about Kimi Raikkonen - setting competitive times in a rally car until he did a jim Clark and wrecked it by trying too hard in the wrong place.

[Saint Devote]

If you exclude the 2000 Indy 500!

I will always smile as I remember Motoya's comments on the morning of the race.

When asked about the Speedway he said it was no big deal, just four corners, no problem.

It did not go down very well - but what else can a successful f1 driver say anyway - he was just telling the truth within his ability. :D

Anyone else remmber that interview?

[gloomyDAY]

Pole and finished third. Those closing laps were great!

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2009/09/20/cup.lou2.high.presspass.montoya.nascar/index.html

[airshifter]

Pole and finished third. Those closing laps were great!

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2009/09/20/cup.lou2.high.presspass.montoya.nascar/index.html

I wonder where all the NASCAr people are that claimed Montoya's experience on other forms wouldn't apply to NASCAR, and that he would quickly become a "wanna be"? :laugh:

[ArrowsFA1]

I wonder where all the NASCAr people are that claimed Montoya's experience on other forms wouldn't apply to NASCAR, and that he would quickly become a "wanna be"? :laugh:
I thought it was funny in the race commentary just how often they referred to Montoya being "aggressive" as if he was the only NASCAR driver racing that way. Com'on, were the rest of the field saying "after you", no, after you"? :p

[UltimateDanGTR]

Juan pablo really is coming along in NASCARl. He is now seriously in contention in every race, just something goes slightly wrong in each race which denies him a win. But IMO, its only a matter of time before Juans first oval win. He could be on to get in the way of certain drivers in their race for the championship.

[wedge]

Can't wait for Talladega.

He jumped from top 30 machinery all the way to top 5 with DEI know how for plate races.

[rabf1]

What Juan has done this year is really impressive. I am rooting for him.

[garyshell]

What Juan has done this year is really impressive. I am rooting for him.


Can I get an AMEN, brothers and sisters? :angel:

It sure has me watching NASCAR regularly after a forty+ year hiatus. I had an uncle who raced there in the 60's and watched whenever Wide World of Sports covered it. Since that time I would watch the odd race here and there and always the road course stuff. But now with Juan doing so well, I am watching when I can.

Gary

[Sonic]

What Juan has done this year is really impressive. I am rooting for him.

You and me both. :)

[race aficionado]

You and me both. :)

I always have and it's cool to be in the position of "I told you so" to all of those who dismissed him right away when he jumped into the Nascar Circus.
:s mokin:

[harsha]

I don't care how he does in the NASCAR circus...I want Juan back in f1 :(

on a side note,nice to see you back race amigo

[gloomyDAY]

I don't care how he does in the NASCAR circus...I want Juan back in f1 :(

on a side note,nice to see you back race amigoJuan is not a robot that can answer the same stupid questions over and over again. The PR department in F1 would crap their pants these days with an honest driver like JPM. F1 is too shallow to allow any of their drivers, aside from Fernando, to express their feelings.

No, Formula 1 doesn't deserve Juan. He's not into telenovelas.

[race aficionado]

Hi Harsha!

Juan back to F1?? Right now, I don't think so . . . .

he . . we . . are having too much fun.

Man, I've never heard the television commentators say "Juan Pablo Montoya" so many times.

Interesting how they kept his F1 name - not Pablo Montoya . . .

and this is a first, they just called him "Mister aggression - Juan Pablo Montoya"

Hey old time JPM fans . . . isn't this a cool, surreal and satisfying moment to be in?

Way cool!!!

Go JPM!!!!
:s mokin:

[Garry Walker]

Nascar is a series where a guy who is over 50 years old can still win races.
wow, this must be really high-quality series :rotflmao:

[wedge]

Nascar is a series where a guy who is over 50 years old can still win races.
wow, this must be really high-quality series :rotflmao:

Mark Martin is one the greatest drivers never to win the championship.

[UltimateDanGTR]

Nascar is a series where a guy who is over 50 years old can still win races.
wow, this must be really high-quality series :rotflmao:

If you are comparing ages of drivers with F1, let me remind you that they two series are worlds apart. F1 is more physically demanding with more gees etc, and you have to be really fit to drive one of those things. Nascar is about RACING, hauling that big steering wheel left, and guiding it in between cars at high speeds, rather than being super fit, and Mark Martin is a 50 year old guy who can RACE. ;)

not saying F1 drivers cant race, thats obsurd, but the emphesis is different in both sports. F1 is a young mans game. NASCAR is an everymans game. But that doesnt effect quality of drivers. different jobs, different cars etc ya know.

[wedge]

Also worth pointing out is that Mark Martin is a pioneer of physical training in the world of NASCAR. He's in damn better physical condition than the some of the young 'uns who are at their peak.

[gloomyDAY]

Nascar is a series where a guy who is over 50 years old can still win races.
wow, this must be really high-quality series :rotflmao: Do you even know about Mark Martin? The guy is very fit! I'm not entirely sure what that has to do with JPM, but I'm not surprised that you're trying to derail another thread.

The quality of NASCAR isn't too bad. Well paid drivers getting out there and racing one another until the checkered flag. Last Sunday's race was really fun to watch.

[garyshell]

Nascar is a series where a guy who is over 50 years old can still win races.
wow, this must be really high-quality series :rotflmao:


If your only criteria for criticism is Mark Martin's age you really pretty un-informed. (I have a lot of other criteria for my critique of the series.) Mark is in better physical shape than about 95%, or more, of us here probably including you. His workout regimen rivals that of any young gun athlete in ANY sport. I am going to make a wild ass guess here and bet you are a road racing kind of fan (I am), but even if you aren't I would like to remind you of one Paul Newman. Any idea how old he was when he won his last race? Enough said.

If you think NASCAR is so easy, I dare you to go to the Richard Petty ride along program at any high bank track (preferably Daytona) and ride with the drivers for five laps on a hot summers day in street clothes. Then come back and tell us how easy it must be to last 200 laps in a full Nomex driving suit. Trust me, your tune will change. I know, I have done it. Five laps of riding was exhausting.

Gary

[race aficionado]

Hi Harsha!

Juan back to F1?? Right now, I don't think so . . . .

he . . we . . are having too much fun.

Man, I've never heard the television commentators say "Juan Pablo Montoya" so many times.

Interesting how they kept his F1 name - not Pablo Montoya . . .

and this is a first, they just called him "Mister aggression - Juan Pablo Montoya"

Hey old time JPM fans . . . isn't this a cool, surreal and satisfying moment to be in?

Way cool!!!

Go JPM!!!!
:s mokin:

my mistake . . he was called Juan Montoya in the US before going to F1- Pablo Montoya is the name of his dad . . .

bottom line is that I like it that they call him JPM in Nascar, as they did in F1-Juan Pablo Montoya.

Hoping for a great one today.

Go JPM!!!!
:s mokin:

[harsha]

even the most die-hard critics of montoya will accept that something has gone out of f1 when he left the sport :(

[airshifter]

... and a 4th place at Dover puts JPM only 65 points behind the Chase leader in NASCAR. :)

[Steve2009]

... and a 4th place at Dover puts JPM only 65 points behind the Chase leader in NASCAR. :) He's sitting pretty at p3 in the chase right now :)


A pretty good read from The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 02304.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/26/AR2009092602304.html)




It would be a remarkable plot twist for NASCAR, a sport rooted in the South, to crown a native of Bogota, Colombia, its next champion.
NASCAR's heroes have tended to be named Petty or Earnhardt. And its fans only grudgingly accepted the first champion from California, Jeff Gordon, who changed all notions of what a stock-car driver looks and acts like when he claimed the first of his four titles in 1995.
Montoya would stretch that definition further.
-------------
Halfway through the season, Gordon warned that Montoya could surprise people if he qualified for the postseason.
With Montoya now six spots head of him in the standings, Gordon ought to feel smart.
"He's gotten more consistent," Gordon said. "He's gotten better. He understands the cars, competition and tracks. And the team is starting to give him the equipment to go along with it."
Ganassi feels smart, too.
"No question, some day you're going to mention his name alongside a lot of greats," Ganassi said. "By the time his career is over, he'll have done it all."
Bold words from Chip!! :grenade:

[Almeidafoto]

juan is noy doing a great job in NASCAR, but seems to be consistent and his place in the champioship is a nice one.
NASCAR races are very interesting, but they abuse on caution laps, which removes sporting truth to each race: almost any car that spins causes a caution...

[Steve2009]

juan is noy doing a great job in NASCAR, but seems to be consistent and his place in the champioship is a nice one.
NASCAR races are very interesting, but they abuse on caution laps, which removes sporting truth to each race: almost any car that spins causes a caution...If you watched this weekends race , you know what a big disadvantage it was to restart on the inside lane of the side by side restarts.
That is where JPM had to start. for the last two.
I believe it cost him two positions, and maybe even the win.
You are correct way too many cautions.
Too many cars on such short tracks! :down:
Go Juan !!! :arrows: :p : :bandit: :s mokin:

[Steve2009]

juan is noy doing a great job in NASCAR, but seems to be consistent and his place in the champioship is a nice one.
NASCAR races are very interesting, but they abuse on caution laps, which removes sporting truth to each race: almost any car that spins causes a caution...
And now it apears the Hendrick cars ot Martin and Johnson are cheating their @$$es off trying to stop him :s mokin:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;...v=ap&type=lgns (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=AlRVg3SWB29q4rl4lf2hJps5nYcB?slug=ap-nascar-hendrick-teamswarned&prov=ap&type=lgns)

[wedge]

Another top 5 finish! :D

[woody2goody]

I find it funny how everyone's talking about Stewart and Johnson when it's Martin and Montoya that are really on form.

Juan has been super consistent for a couple of months now, it's extremely impressive.

[Steve2009]

Another top 5 finish! :D
And picks up 14 points on the lead :up:

[race aficionado]

And picks up 14 points on the lead :up:

Awkward posting about my man Juan on the F1 thread but, oh yeah!

Juan is rocking and it is sooooo much fun to watch him race on that red car of his with the big target logo and being able to bump and grind his way to the top with no carbon fiber flying all over the place.

This NASCAR circus aint bad at all right now.

way cool.
:s mokin:

[Steve2009]

Awkward posting about my man Juan on the F1 thread but, oh yeah!

Juan is rocking and it is sooooo much fun to watch him race on that red car of his with the big target logo and being able to bump and grind his way to the top with no carbon fiber flying all over the place.

This NASCAR circus aint bad at all right now.

way cool.
:s mokin:
Dude, were all over it :D

[UltimateDanGTR]

I find it funny how everyone's talking about Stewart and Johnson when it's Martin and Montoya that are really on form.

Juan has been super consistent for a couple of months now, it's extremely impressive.

agreed, Juan has really surprised me, he has come on leaps and bounds lately and although no wins, seems to be right up there in nearly every race, just like the best, and not even Stewart has been doing that recently! (up until a week ago!) but when you look at consistency lately, its Martin, Johnson and Juan with probably the best records.

This guy ain't gonna win it this year, but he poses a real threat and could get in the way of other drivers, and come next year who knows how good Montoya will be.... (He just needs to win a race first though!)

[wedge]

Juan is rocking and it is sooooo much fun to watch him race on that red car of his with the big target logo and being able to bump and grind his way to the top with no carbon fiber flying all over the place.

Would love to have Texaco/Havoline livery back again. The Man in Black :cool:


This guy ain't gonna win it this year, but he poses a real threat and could get in the way of other drivers, and come next year who knows how good Montoya will be.... (He just needs to win a race first though!)

Had he had Jr's seat at Hendrick JPM probably would've done a better job!

[Garry Walker]

If you are comparing ages of drivers with F1, let me remind you that they two series are worlds apart. F1 is more physically demanding with more gees etc, and you have to be really fit to drive one of those things. Nascar is about RACING, hauling that big steering wheel left, and guiding it in between cars at high speeds, rather than being super fit, and Mark Martin is a 50 year old guy who can RACE. ;)

not saying F1 drivers cant race, thats obsurd, but the emphesis is different in both sports. F1 is a young mans game. NASCAR is an everymans game. But that doesnt effect quality of drivers. different jobs, different cars etc ya know.

NASCAR, when talking driver level, is nowhere near F1.


If your only criteria for criticism is Mark Martin's age you really pretty un-informed. (I have a lot of other criteria for my critique of the series.) Mark is in better physical shape than about 95%, or more, of us here probably including you. His workout regimen rivals that of any young gun athlete in ANY sport. I am going to make a wild ass guess here and bet you are a road racing kind of fan (I am), but even if you aren't I would like to remind you of one Paul Newman. Any idea how old he was when he won his last race? Enough said. What do you know about his workout regime? The fact is that a 50 year old guy cannot be anywhere near as fit as someone who is 25 and at his physical peak.
Fitter than me? Depends on what criteria we use.



If you think NASCAR is so easy, I dare you to go to the Richard Petty ride along program at any high bank track (preferably Daytona) and ride with the drivers for five laps on a hot summers day in street clothes. Then come back and tell us how easy it must be to last 200 laps in a full Nomex driving suit. Trust me, your tune will change. I know, I have done it. Five laps of riding was exhausting.

Gary

Then maybe you are not that fit. I have plenty of racing experience, havent had any problems fitness wise so far.

[wedge]

What do you know about his workout regime?

http://www.amazon.com/Strength-Training-Performance-Driving-Martin/dp/0879388439/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254834191&sr=1-6



The fact is that a 50 year old guy cannot be anywhere near as fit as someone who is 25 and at his physical peak.

Ranulph Fiennes?

[garyshell]

What do you know about his workout regime?

It's pretty well documented as being quite comprehensive and intense.
http://tinyurl.com/yb9qdf5


The fact is that a 50 year old guy cannot be anywhere near as fit as someone who is 25 and at his physical peak.

Wow, did you come up with that all by yourself? Given the same training and exercise, of course. But no one was suggesting that was not true, only that Mark at 50 is the exception in that he works out harder than most.

BTW you totally ignored my question about how old Paul Newman was when he won his last road race. Since you seem to think road races, by definition, are more fit, I would think the answer to that might shed a little light on age and ability, don't you?

Gary

[UltimateDanGTR]

Had he had Jr's seat at Hendrick JPM probably would've done a better job!


so true. Juan is doing better in a team worse than Hendrick than jnr is doing at Hendrick. Speaks for itself, Juan for Hendrick! :D

[Steve2009]

IMO a very cool interview.
It's over a year old, so apologies if this has already made the rounds

A53Oc7FnkMs&feature=related

[wedge]

NASCAR, when talking driver level, is nowhere near F1.

Care to elaborate?

[gloomyDAY]

IMO a very cool interview.
It's over a year old, so apologies if this has already made the rounds
Connie is such a hottie.

Anyway, he's till kicking ass! Last race finished fourth and is not too far from first place in the standings. Hell I might even go to Fontana and get an autograph.

[airshifter]

Care to elaborate?

Even some of the better NASCAR drivers will admit to that.

Years back at Indy they did a show where JPM and Jeff Gordon swapped cars and did laps on the F1 circuit. Gordon even admitted that for NASCAR it was more about the team setup and finding the limits of the car, where in the F1 car it was more about finding driver limits.

He also commented on the G loads of the F1 car, and how he could see in just a few laps how physical it would be.

[jorgeamb]

Hi everyone.. My first post in years... I am very glad to identify many of the old forumsters... My best regards to all...

I stopped watching F1 when JPM left. But honestly, this was pure coincidence... I was an F1 fan before JPM, and I didn’t become a NASCAR fan when JPM went there. I was simply sick of the F1 farce.. to me F1´s in very serious trouble.. a victim of it’s own expensive invention.. underestimating the patience of people who are getting screwed every other weekend. The big automakers using it to sell their cars, and now, in the middle of a world crisis the "sport" isn’t so interesting anymore.. and the same governing body keeps playing God as usual, changing the rules every other snowstorm.. and Redbull just wants to sell that sh*tty beverage...I mean, I don’t know anyone who likes that stuff... how the heck do they manage to support all these sports events and teams??? Not even Cocacola pours so much money into sports.

And Brown, a low budget team of retirees and cars made of parts from a junkyard, winning the first 7 or 8 races??.. Conclusion to even to the most stupid; no car... no win..

Anyhow, I have been reading some of the posts lately and see that some people here still don’t understand why JPM went to NASCAR.. And compare NASCAR with F1 as if it had anything to do with the quality of one series versus the other. F1 drivers will not necessarily make it in NASCAR and vice versa. All I see is that JPM is happy in NASCAR.. All smiles...all fun... and good money… F1, all robotics.. pissed off people all the time... All business..…Hope you get it now…

[ShiftingGears]

And Brown, a low budget team of retirees and cars made of parts from a junkyard, winning the first 7 or 8 races??.. Conclusion to even to the most stupid; no car... no win..


If you had any idea about F1 at all you would know that Honda paid for the entire development of the car and it is arguably the most expensive F1 car on the grid.

[azri]

i still remember when JPM in his williams days when he sweared at raikkonen at the Belgian GP....

[Steve2009]

JPM!
Yea' babe!!! :p imp: :s mokin:

[woody2goody]

i still remember when JPM in his williams days when he sweared at raikkonen at the Belgian GP....

One of the funniest videos on the net in my humble opinion.

PS Juan qualified 4th for Fontana :)

[jorgeamb]

i still remember when JPM in his williams days when he sweared at raikkonen at the Belgian GP....
So do I.. Was that so bad? Drivers should be forgiven for losing it within some limits.. They're human beings putting their lives at risk... tension builds up... JPM and Kimi were later team mates... I don´t recall them having a bad relationship.. And I recall JPM and JV squishing each other's throats.. And today they're friends...

[gloomyDAY]

Race is on in California.

Let's go Juanito!

[wedge]

So do I.. Was that so bad? Drivers should be forgiven for losing it within some limits.. They're human beings putting their lives at risk... tension builds up... JPM and Kimi were later team mates... I don´t recall them having a bad relationship.. And I recall JPM and JV squishing each other's throats.. And today they're friends...

Here, here

Rubens 'Blah, blah, blah' Barrichello - isn't he supposed to be F1's nice guys?

At least JPM is a heck of a race car driver.

You could do worse:

Danica Patrick playing Princess and without the talent to match.

[race aficionado]

Another good day at the office for Juan.

4 chase races - 4 top 5 finishes. :D

Who would have thunk it.

JPM is now mister consistent.

and having a ball.
. . and so am I :D

go JPM!
:s mokin:

[Steve2009]

Another good day at the office for Juan.

4 chase races - 4 top 5 finishes. :D

Who would have thunk it.

JPM is now mister consistent.

and having a ball.
. . and so am I :D

go JPM!
:s mokin:
:up: :s mokin:

[race aficionado]

Hi everyone.. My first post in years... I am very glad to identify many of the old forumsters... My best regards to all...



Hola Jorge.

Nice to hear from you again. :)

Let's enjoy the ride that Juan is giving us @ the Nascar series.

It's "good times" right now.

:s mokin:

[gloomyDAY]

Good racing today. Yellows didn't intervene too much and JPM holds 3rd in the overall standings.

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2009/10/11/cup.fon2.presspass.montoya.nascar/index.html

[Steve2009]

Good racing today. Yellows didn't intervene too much and JPM holds 3rd in the overall standings.

........... :rolleyes:



P86NxcAZReU&feature


................... :uhoh: .... :uhoh: .... :uhoh:


........Messin' With Sasquatch!!! :s mokin:

[F1boat]

Another good day at the office for Juan.

4 chase races - 4 top 5 finishes. :D

Who would have thunk it.

JPM is now mister consistent.

and having a ball.
. . and so am I :D

go JPM!
:s mokin:

It is weird, because in F1 and CART he was extremely fast, but consistency was a problem. Now it is the other way around - he is extremely consistent, but no wins so far...

[Steve2009]

It is weird, because in F1 and CART he was extremely fast, but consistency was a problem. Now it is the other way around - he is extremely consistent, but no wins so far...He was the fastest car on track until the marine layer burnt off.
Sasquatch drove very cautiously in getting to the chase.
Since it started he is the hardest charger on the track. His only problem is that his car doesn't say Hendrick Racing on it : :fasttalk: :s mokin:

A warmer track really worked against him. I'm surprised they couldn't dial that thing in as the track conditions changed! :confused:

Where da Markabilly? He didn't think that the little monkey had the skills to win this thing!
I need to rub this in his face. :beer: :burp:

[F1boat]

Why do you call him Sasquatch?

[gloomyDAY]

Steve, yes, aside from Denny slamming into JPM and stopping the race it was a pretty clean run to the finish. Hell even after the pile up with 6 laps to go wasn't too bad. Freakin' shootout to the very end.


Why do you call him Sasquatch?Because nobody messes with the Sasquatch! You want to end up like Hamlin? Huh?! Yeah, didn't think so. :D

[Steve2009]

Why do you call him Sasquatch?
Why not? Everyone needs a nickname.
Beside what Gloomyday explained, he is also a different species than the other drivers
He looks like a furry woodland creature(and in a scary way) :eek: :s mokin:

BTW Last night on Speed Tunnel Dave Despain refered to FA as Fred :p :

[jorgeamb]

Hola Jorge.

Nice to hear from you again. :)

Let's enjoy the ride that Juan is giving us @ the Nascar series.

It's "good times" right now.

:s mokin:

Hi Race!! Well, yeah! I`m not into motorsports that much these days.. Moto GP is pretty cool, though. Jorge Lorenzo rock! And although I don´t watch NASCAR regularly I do keep an eye on how Juan the man is doing.. I watched the last couple of races however I could.. They don´t boradcast NASCAR races often here in Spain. Fontana was amazing. Brought me crappy memories of that race when Greg More got killed. I´ll watch more and stay tuned! Cheers!

[Steve2009]

Why do you call him Sasquatch?
:s mokin: :s mokin: :s mokin: :s mokin: :s mokin:

[Steve2009]

Messin' with Sasquatch :s mokin: :s mokin: :s mokin: :s mokin: :s mokin:




91i8qORU80U&feature=player_embedded (http://[youtube.com/watch?v=91i8qORU80U&feature=player_embedded)

[jorgeamb]

Messin' with Sasquatch :s mokin: :s mokin: :s mokin: :s mokin: :s mokin:




91i8qORU80U&feature=player_embedded (http://[youtube.com/watch?v=91i8qORU80U&feature=player_embedded)

Nince interview.. I am really amazed at the maturity and self confidence of JPM in his answers these days. Like Gordon said, JPM is showing great knowledge of the cars, tracks and the whole business in general. I wouldn´t be surprised to see him a car owner down the road. It really was surprising how it didn´t appear to bother him one bit when the Mexican reporter questioned him for not granting interviews to the Latin media, and how he simply replied without raising his voice or insulting the guy. He did say it sucked.. That hasn´t changed..... thankfully...

[harsha]

JPM seems to have matured from his years in f1...he would have just blasted the guy if he was in his f1 days....

nice to see he still speaks his mind :up: :s mokin:

[woody2goody]

Juan Pablo is now down to 6th in the championship after finishing outside the top 30 at Charlotte :(

[titivie]

Great interview, keept his cool and said " what is the question?" that was perfect
It took Juan only 3 years to master Nascar! he did well at LeMans and would do just as well in F1 today.
sign of a great champion

[ArrowsFA1]

Juan Pablo is now down to 6th in the championship after finishing outside the top 30 at Charlotte :(
Thems the breaks :( Once again the #42 was a strong looking car and while the Hendrick cars seem out of reach another top 5 was on the cards. I'm just hoping JPM gets the win his season deserves.

[F1boat]

Thems the breaks :( Once again the #42 was a strong looking car and while the Hendrick cars seem out of reach another top 5 was on the cards. I'm just hoping JPM gets the win his season deserves.

JJ however looks destined to win another championship.

[airshifter]

Shame for JPM. I'm sure Martin didn't intend to bump him (at least not that hard) as he ended up causing himself some issues as well.

But this is JPM, the never give up type.

Go JPM! :)

[race aficionado]

Martinsville has passed and Juan had another good day at the office.

Those short tracks have always been weird for me - all those cars running around that small oval, all bunched up - and Juan after 3 years has figured it out.

He was bumping and pushing others out of the way as she climbed to the top.

His aggressive style feels "right at home" and he is also being smart about it.

It was so cool hearing the crowd roar when he passed JJ to take the lead.

Juan has definitely earned the respect of his fellow drivers and of many Nascar fans.

He's having a ball.

and so am I :D

:s mokin:

[ArrowsFA1]

Martinsville has passed and Juan had another good day at the office.
Particularly after where he qualified :s mokin: Now all that's needed is a great day at the office and the #42 getting that win!

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2009/10/25/cup.mar2.presspass.montoya.nascar/

[F1boat]

I wonder - can he win the title WITHOUT a win?

[ArrowsFA1]

It's possible, but it's not going to happen. Hendrick are too strong and it looks like the title belongs to JJ again.

Still, 2009 has been a coming of age for Montoya in NASCAR. He made the chase with an unfancied team, and having done that has shown himself to be a top 5 runner week in week out. That will, hopefully, be a great starting point for 2010.

[race aficionado]

Well, NASCAR season is done and my man Juan fizzled out at the end . . . with a bang! of course, and with the assurance that after three years of joining the Nascar Circus he has establishing himself as one of its main characters.

I'm looking forward to next year with the hope that Chip's up and running team continues to advance in its efforts to be able to actually battle JJ and his powerful empire - or whatever it is that you call that well oiled machine that is the Hendrick's team.

Silly season is here for both F1 and Nascar, time to hang out at the chat room to see if something interesting pops up - in other words, waiting until my man fousto comes up with another jolly topic to celebrate the upcoming holidays. ;)

It's Thanksgiving in this part of the world so I'll start focusing on that one.

thank you.


peace.

race
:s mokin:

[edv]

Hey Race, guess you're not a fan of Tony Stewart now, huh?

[race aficionado]

Hey Race, guess you're not a fan of Tony Stewart now, huh?

He! As Juan would say; "That's racin'"


and of course how can we forget:

"payback is a bitch"

two hot heads butting heads - and paying the price.

it would have been fun to see then both end the race in the front fighting for that top five Chase spot but whatcha gonna do . . . .
:s mokin:

[Copse]

Hey Race, guess you're not a fan of Tony Stewart now, huh?

My initial reaction was to add Stewart to the list of drivers I don't like. Crashing out the guy who can pass you in the standings. (A page from Schumi's book from Jerez, maybe...).

After a couple of days I realize that at least he isn't 100% dull and uninteresting like the apparently brilliantly shining recent 4-time champ. I guess we need Stewarts and Robby Gordons to make Nascar interesting while waiting for Montoya to eventually win. With 43 Jimmys it would be utterly unbearable, like the IndyCar season finale, but 3-4 times longer.

[Tazio]

6xfEijeLRrI&p=9CB9B1EF57350C01&index=12&playnext=2


Yea babe!!!! :s ailor: :s mokin:

[Saint Devote]

It will be another 113 races. He left f1 for a series where the car is by far the most important ingredient.

Give him a car that can win and he will. He is still by far the most talented driver out there.

Jimmie Johnson could not win in the dratted Ganassi car either.

[Old Eyes]

It will be another 113 races. He left f1 for a series where the car is by far the most important ingredient.

Give him a car that can win and he will. He is still by far the most talented driver out there.

Jimmie Johnson could not win in the dratted Ganassi car either.

This season, in most cases, JPM has ended up hitting another driver or going into the wall. His lack of patience on oval tracks has cost him a lot of points.

That has nothing to do with the car.

[Tazio]

This season, in most cases, JPM has ended up hitting another driver or going into the wall. His lack of patience on oval tracks has cost him a lot of points.

That has nothing to do with the car.No it does not. (have anything to do with the car)
It is very telling about the series however.
If I could change one thing about this series it would be to remove about half the field. There are too many cars out there to let a racer of JPM's style put their car one inch out of line.

I guess that means he sucks as a racer ;)

Actually that is simply why oval tracks with 45 sedans racing on them doesn't apeal that much to me!

[Jag_Warrior]

He left f1 for a series where the car is by far the most important ingredient.

So he left a series where the car is by far the most important ingredient for (according to you) a series where the car is by far the most important ingredient. :confused:

Certain drivers and teams have little to no shot of winning in NASCAR, just like certain drivers and teams have little to no shot of winning in F1... Le Mans, WRC, NHRA, etc. Of course the car matters in NASCAR. But no moreso than in F1, and I would say a good bit less. I mean, the same team hasn't captured nearly all the poles in NASCAR, has it? ;)



Jimmie Johnson could not win in the dratted Ganassi car either.

Juan is my favorite NASCAR driver by far. I've been a fan since he was in F3000. One of my proudest moments was getting to meet him at Nazareth when he was in CART (he won that one... and many more). When he went to F1 and instantly started banging wheels with Schumacher, I couldn't have been prouder or happier. But yeah, I think Jimmie Johnson could win in Juan's car (on an oval). If Jamie McMurray can win in a Ganassi car, I see no reason why Juan can't win in a Ganassi car. The BY400 thing was just a bad call by the crew chief - that was his race to lose. But the subsequent crash was ALL on Juan. Juan has caught a few bad breaks. But that's just how it works. When he's up front, he needs to keep his wits about him and not let the red mist take over when there is a bobble. But I have no doubts that he will win on an oval.

Let's put it this way, I believe Juan will win a Sprint Cup oval race before Danica Patrick even gets a Top 10 in the Nationwide series.

[D-Type]

How can you say that? "OF course the car matters in NASCAR. But no more so than in F1 ..."

It's a spec series. All the cars are basically the same. Let a good preparation team loose on a NASCAR klunker and they could turn it into a winner. No matter how much preparation skill was applied to (say) a HRT, there is no way it could be made to be the equal of (say) a Red Bull.

NASCAR is all about
(a) Driver skill
(b) Team preparation skill

Car design has been taken out of the equation.

[Jag_Warrior]

How can you say that? "OF course the car matters in NASCAR. But no more so than in F1 ..."

It's a spec series. All the cars are basically the same.

No, I'm afraid they aren't. As I'm sure you know, NASCAR teams either build or buy their chassis. It's not like in the IRL or GP2 where they just order from a "catalog" and get a box of parts in the mail. And though the CoT made the design box smaller than it had been, the chassis from Roush are not the same as the ones from Penske, Hendrick, RCR, etc. Even within the same organization, a team will still build chassis for super speedways and short ovals/road courses. So yes, in NASCAR the chassis and your engine (builder) DOES matter... the car matters. But as I said, "no more so than in F1." In other words, the car matters less in NASCAR than in F1. Therefore, if Jamie McMurray can win in a Ganassi car, Juan Montoya can win in a Ganassi car.

[D-Type]

Two countries separated by a common language!

On this side of the pond "no more than" means "equal to" rather than "less than"

[Jag_Warrior]

^Gotcha. :up: Maybe a bad use of words on my part. "No more so..." simply meaning "not greater than" - could be equal to or less than, but not greater than.

In any case, Saint Devote's claim that Montoya is (now) in a series where the car matters more than it did in F1 is WAY wide of the truth.

[stephenw_us]

How can you say that? "OF course the car matters in NASCAR. But no more so than in F1 ..."

It's a spec series. All the cars are basically the same. Let a good preparation team loose on a NASCAR klunker and they could turn it into a winner. No matter how much preparation skill was applied to (say) a HRT, there is no way it could be made to be the equal of (say) a Red Bull.
NASCAR is all about
(a) Driver skill
(b) Team preparation skill

Car design has been taken out of the equation.

Do you really think this? They conform to the same set of measurement templates and other regulations at inspection, they are not the same cars at all, they are hand fabricated not churned out of a single chassis supplier like the IRL...

[Mia 01]

Even if it seems as JPM lost some of that edge he got in F1, I cheer for him in all thoose NASCAR races he is driving.

I would like to have him back to F1 perhaps driving for JV :s new team.

[ArrowsFA1]

...I have no doubts that he will win on an oval.
:up:

It's going to happen soon, maybe this weekend :) Juan is consistently challenging for wins, and has been for some time. Luck, poor calls, and errors have prevented it happening so far but it's just a matter of time.

[wedge]

So he left a series where the car is by far the most important ingredient for (according to you) a series where the car is by far the most important ingredient. :confused:

Certain drivers and teams have little to no shot of winning in NASCAR, just like certain drivers and teams have little to no shot of winning in F1... Le Mans, WRC, NHRA, etc. Of course the car matters in NASCAR. But no moreso than in F1, and I would say a good bit less. I mean, the same team hasn't captured nearly all the poles in NASCAR, has it? ;)

At a given race the top 20 are race winners/race winning pedigree, that's how competitive the series has become.

In F1 you have to be in one of the top 2 teams in a given season to definitely win (yes, there are anomolies like Kovy/2008) or you have to be a special driver in a top 3 team (or even less in the case of Vettel/2008) in a given season to have a shot at winning.