Very few rookies drive into the top series of NASCAR with much more then the respect they deserved just by getting there. All the hard work you put into your career got you a ride, but not a meal ticket. With the exception of anyone with the name Earnhardt, you will be caring your own bags till you’re strong enough to lift some hardware over your head. Just ask the #24 how long it had taken him to gain the respect of the NASCAR Nation. So, how can it be that someone comes into his first year in the league and be referred to as Mister?
It’s not what you know; it’s who knows you! Mr. Montoya may not know much about the world of stock car racing, but the world, and all forms of racing knows Mr. Montoya. This is no ordinary rookie. Juan Pablo Montoya is not just any driver leaving any old series for the bright lights of NASCAR. This is a former Indy 500 Champion. He also won the Cart FedEx Championship Series his rookie year. This is a driver who has been notorious for stealing poles, stealing wins, and straight stealing notoriety. Sounds exactly what NASCAR wants to steal.
And that series he left for NASCAR? Just the most expensive form of racing in the world. When Montoya announced he was leaving the good life of Formula One, to the roller skate race of NASCAR, the world was shocked.
Everyone but his new boss, his new sponsors, and NASCAR at least. Ganassi Racings new star is not only bright, but his spark has already been witnessed in every market except America. The rest of the world has already introduced themselves to Juan Pablo Montoya, and now NASCAR, and his sponsors want him to introduce them to the rest of the world.
Montoya finished his F1 career with 7 wins, 13 poles, and finished 3rd in the league: twice in his career that spanned from 2001 to 2006. In his rookie year he got his first win, grabbed 3 poles, and made the podium an impressive 4 times.
Now we are 32 days away from the start of another rookie year from Juan Pablo Montoya. One in which the learning curve is high, but his expectations might be higher. He will be considered a huge threat on tracks like The Glen and Infineon. And his test-times at Daytona were amazing. Making those smiles coming from the faces of his sponsors and all the NASCAR executives, well, priceless. That yellow stripe on his bumper is going to shine. And everyone will get paid to shine it.
All the while, during driver interviews and around the garage he is known as a rookie. At the same time, I have only heard him referred to as Mr. Montoya.
I wanted to write an entry about Benny, but all the rest of you have done such a great job about the great man. Thanks Everyone! And we will miss you Benny!
nice entry sidd, i think with the new rookies like montoya and allmendinger from other series and the addition of toyota, and approx 50 fulltime teams fighting for 43 spots, makes this one of the most anticipated seasons in recent history.
I for one can't wait.
Hey Sid,
I hadn't thought about Montoya having to carry a rookie stripe this year. Great point!! Seems like they would have forgone that, givin' the man's history.... but rules are rules..
He'll prolly take a bunch of #### in the garage over it..... some of us "Good "ol boys" can be ruthless......
Sidd: Fantastic post...but you will never hear me calling him anything but "Montoya". I have no respect for the man...let him become an American citizen if he wants to reap all the rewards from this country! One of the funniest things I ever saw was him flying out of the car at Homestead when it caught on fire. Yes, I know...he can race..I've seen him. He's also a 'pretty boy' who is constantly referring to NASCAR fans as 'good ole boys'. That boy needs to shut his mouth and just drive.
storkjrc - Thanks! I can't wait either. This is the season of change, so we may as well get ready for the complaint department. I think change is how things evolve, and if you don't adapt you get left behind. I think this is a great rookie class to come in with this strange year. Meynard also should be able to hold his own. I look forward to it!
chuztory - I know the thought of the rookie stripe on Montoya is probably more funny to his ex-F1 teamates. Rules are rules though, and I know that all the other drivers look out for that yellow stripe. And everyone is going to need to give Montoya some room. Us good ole boys as well.
SouthernCindy - Thanks to you too! I see where you are coming from with Montoya. He needs to prove himself to the NASCAR world. But the big picture with the NASCAR suits is really where the Mister comes from. Marketing 101. Montotoya could not have come at a better time for the suits. ESPN is probably happy as well.
I can remember another spirited open wheeled race car jockey that left the INDY league to race NASCAR and did quite well pretty quickly. So to Montoya, Welcome. Lets see what you got rookie.
With the exception of maybe 2 rookies last year, most of the rookies did not show me much and they came up from the Busch series. Montoya has a big learning curve in the good ole boy cars so he has some big issues to address but he has raced the premier and top engineered cars in racing successfully . Certainly a feat of tremendous proportions.
Whether he will stick it out is another question.
Last edited by nphotogr on January 17th at 10:07 PM.
Great to see a piece from the one and only Siddhartha!
I think Montoya could be the type of driver I could support. I don't know much about him - but then again that's why I have you around. To educate myself and the masses.
Check out the Truth for yet another NASCAR reference and a shout to you! Should be out later today or tomorrow morning.
nphotogr - HA! I was waiting for someone to mention the fact that half of the FOX NASCAR bloggers on here are a huge fan of 'another' open wheel racer who drove into NASCAR and has been dominating ever since. Kudos to you, my friend. I had written that in this entry, but I edited it out. Thought it was too long as it was.
I hear ya about the rookies. Hamlin was classy last year, but he has to survive the sophmore slump. Boyer was good, if not great in his first year. But was overshadowed by Hamlin.
This year we have another great class. Don't forget about A.J. and Menard. Both have great potential, and Menard has great experience. DEI has to give him some good cars though.
Burger21 - Great to see you around as well, my friend. I am looking forward to you keeping your eye on races this year. Put some money down to make it interesting. I have been working full time crunching numbers and placing bets. Trying hard to beat my rake last year, which was my best year yet. Viva Las Vegas!
I am also looking forward to reading another Weekly Truth. I think it is one of the best pieces out here in blog land. And another NASCAR mention. If memory serves me right, that is three in a row for the Truth!
william - Good to see you around! Yeah, it kind of already looks like the press wants to. But I agree with ya about the car. Although towards the end of the year the car was running well. And those numbers from the Daytona testing raises eyebrows.
You can't stop, or I will pass you. If you slow down, I will outlast you. But when your down, you won't find me laughing. Just one question, I might ask ya. And it might sound like a disaster. But can you make this thing go faster?
