Juan Pablo Montoya News
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Montoya forgives teammate McMurray after incident: Juan Pablo Montoya says he has accepted teammate Jamie McMurray's apology for the wreck that collected both last weekend and that he told McMurray, "Let's move forward." The two crashed while running side-by-side at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Montoya blamed McMurray, his new teammate at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, for the incident and was on the radio criticizing McMurray's driving to his crew. Montoya also was critical of McMurray in an interview with Fox during the race broadcast. Montoya, according to a story at autosport.com, said he and McMurray traded text messages after the race. McMurray texted Montoya: "Hey I'm sorry, I'm sure you're mad at me. You want me to call you and talk through things?" Montoya said he replied: "Don't worry. It happened. Yes, I was real mad, but let's move forward." (The Virginian Pilot)
Friday, February 19, 2010
Montoya's No. 42 crew wins Pit Road Precision Award: Juan Pablo Montoya's No. 42 over-the-wall crew won the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award in Sunday's (Feb. 14) Daytona 500. Montoya's Target Chevrolet spent the least amount of time on pit road at Daytona International Speedway. The outstanding effort contributed to Montoya's top-10 finish in the Sprint Cup season opener. Montoya's over-the-wall crew consists of: Trevor Lysne (front-tire changer), Eric Bilyeu (front-tire carrier), Chris McMullen (rear-tire changer), Chip Goode (rear-tire carrier), TJ Ford (jackman), Mike Bodick (gasman) and Heath Silver (catch can). The team's crew chief is Brian Pattie. The winning pit crew in each Sprint Cup race in 2010 will earn $5,000 and a Tissot VA Quartz Chronograph watch. The team with the most Tissot Pit Road Precision Award wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will receive a $105,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the over-the-wall crew members and driver.(Tissot)
Thursday, December 3, 2009
No. 42 Crew named Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: Mechanix Wear announced that the No. 42 Target pit crew of Juan Pablo Montoya from Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is the winner of the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award for the 2009 season. This award is the only authentic competition voted on by crew chiefs. The No. 42 Target pit crew was selected for its fast pit stops, flawless performance and incredible effort over the 38-race season. The team also won the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award for the third quarter. The No. 42 Target pit crew will travel to Las Vegas to be honored at the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup celebration, and will also take home the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew trophy and the $100,000 grand prize. The members of the No. 42 Target pit crew include: Crew chief: Brian Pattie; Gas Man: Mike Bodick; Jack Man: T.J. Ford; Catch Can: Heath Silver; Front Tire Changer: Trevor Lysne; Front Tire Carrier: Eric Bilyeu; Rear Tire Changer: Chris McMullen; Rear Tire Carrier: Chip Goode.(Victory Management Group)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Montoya insist NASCAR is best series around: Juan Pablo Montoya says the racing in NASCAR is better than any other series he's competed in. Montoya, who has competed in various series, including Formula One and Indy Car, lends a different perspective to the debate. "I think people that complain about a NASCAR race, they haven't watched anything else of motor racing," Montoya said Tuesday. "Honestly, if you don't like what you're seeing, you shouldn't be seeing it because it's the greatest racing you can have in any motorsport scene. It doesn't get any better than this." (Virginian-Pilot)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Griese apologizes for Montoya comment: ABC college football analyst Bob Griese apologized Saturday a comment he made about NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya during the network's broadcast of Ohio State's 38-7 victory over Minnesota. The network was promoting its broadcast of Sunday's NASCAR race from Martinsville while showing the top five drivers in the Sprint Cup Series standings on screen. Fellow broadcaster Chris Speilman asked where Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya was (Montoya dropped from the top five after finishing 35th last week at Charlotte). Griese replied, "He's out having a taco." As the game neared its end, Griese offered an on-air apology. "Juan Pablo Montoya, he's one of the best drivers in NASCAR," Griese said. "Just want to apologize for the comment I made earlier in the ballgame."(USA Today)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Montoya confident despite Charlotte trouble: Juan Pablo Montoya, who looked to be the only non-Hendrick Motorsports affiliated driver who had a shot at the title, took a big hit as well. Contact with the cars of Clint Bowyer and Mark Martin during a bunched-up restart left Montoya with serious damage to his right-rear fender. He slowed dramatically on the track, fell a lap down, and eventually spun out on Lap 164. To add insult to injury, Montoya was assessed a penalty by NASCAR for pitting too soon and not entering pit road single-file. Montoya experienced more problems when a replacement piece of his right-rear fender came off on the track later in the race and caused another caution. He eventually finished 35th and dropped to sixth in points, 195 behind Johnson. "It is what it is. If you are expecting to have 10 clean races, then you're dreaming," said Montoya, who was the only driver to finish in the top five in each of the first four Chase races. "We knew it could happen. We made the Chase. Up to today we had four top fives in a row and now one bad race. "What's bad about it, you know? "I think we actually surprised everybody that we've done such a good job. Even today, we had a faster car than (Johnson). It was one of those racing things that happen and you have to move on."(Charlotte Observer)
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009
Montoyta on Sprint Cup Chase: There's no holding back, nothing: Apparently, Juan Pablo Montoya has forgiven. But he hasn't forgotten. Montoya was visibly and vocally angry at the way Mark Martin blocked him during the final two laps of last Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire. Martin held on and won the opening race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, and Montoya, his car's momentum stalled, dropped to third place behind Denny Hamlin. "I wasn't the happiest guy," Montoya said this week as he began preparations for round two of the Chase on Sunday at Dover. "It's fun when you do it to someone else, but it's not when they do it to you. But it's part of it. "Mark did an awesome race and did what he had to do to win the race." As did Montoya. He won the pole and led a race-high 105 of the 300 laps. It wasn't enough to give him his first victory since 2007, but he jumped from 11th place in the Chase standings to fourth. "For the Chase ... there's no holding back, nothing," said Montoya. (KC Star)
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009
Montoya set to make 100th Cup start: Not only does the race at New Hampshire mark the first race for Juan Pablo Montoya in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, it also marks his 100th career start in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Montoya wasted no time making his presence known in the NASCAR world after transitioning from open-wheel cars to the NSCS. Montoya became the first Latino to win in NASCAR's premier Series and capture the Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year title in his inaugural season. Over the course of three years, Montoya has tallied one pole, one win, seven top-five and 21 top-10 finishes. Montoya will also celebrate his 34th birthday on Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (EGR)
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009
Juan Pablo Montoya comments on Schumacher's comeback: Juan Pablo Montoya is doubtful whether the hype of his former rival Michael Schumacher's return to Formula One will be justified. "Will he be faster than the (regular) Ferrari drivers? That would surprise me, but you never know," the Colombian, who in his grand prix career 2001-2006 was often wheel-to-wheel with the German, is quoted as saying by the Bild newspaper. 33-year-old Montoya, who now races in NASCAR, believes the Maranello based team will be busy making Schumacher's F60 as quick as possible. "I am sure they will be developing some new parts for his comeback in order to guarantee that he looks good," Montoya said.(F1times.co.uk)
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009
Montoya optimistic about making the Chase: With Watkins Glenn coming up this week, Juan Pablo Montoya's chances of making the Chase are starting to look pretty good. "If we get a top five out of (Watkins Glen), the points for the Chase would be huge," Montoya said. "Let's get into the Chase and then let's have some fun. I think we got fast racecars. I think if we make it, we might have a shot at this." (Kingsport Times-News)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Montoya's crew chief to meet with Series director: Instead of becoming the first driver to win the 500 and 400, Juan Pablo Montoya had to stomach 11th place in a classic case of what might have been. "Ah, it kind of sucks, but it's what it is," Montoya said. "Everybody with the Target Chevy did an amazing job. I thought I was down to speed. You know, we've got lights (on the dashboard), I was on the lights every time. "It's what it is. We had that deal like that before (in Phoenix). Once it happens, you can't change it. It's pretty frustrating. But it shows where we're going with the team." Crew chief Brian Pattie declined to take issue with NASCAR, or the rule, and said he would meet with Series director John Darby some time next week. "Obviously it's disheartening," he said. "Like (Montoya) said on the racetrack, it was potentially our first oval win for Juan for Target, and it's Indy. It's a big day." (Indy Star)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
No. 42 Crew wins Tissot Pit Crew Precision Award at Infineon: Juan Pablo Montoya’s crew won the Tissot Pit Crew Precision Award in Sunday’s (June 21) NASCAR Sprint Cup road race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. Montoya’s No. 42 crew is the 12th Cup team to garner the Tissot award as the season approaches the halfway mark. The fast work by the No. 42 crew during the Toyota / Save Mart 350k helped Montoya to a solid sixth-place finish at the 1.99-mile road circuit. Montoya’s Chevrolet Impala SS spent 107.846 seconds on pit road. Montoya’s over-the-wall crew consists of: Trevor Lysne (front-tire changer), Eric Bilyeu (front-tire carrier), Chris McMullen (rear-tire changer), Chip Goode (rear-tire carrier), TJ Ford (jackman), Mike Bodick (gasman) and Heath Silver (catch can). The payout for winning the weekly Tissot Pit Road Precision Award is $5,000. The crew with the most Tissot wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will receive a $100,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the crew and driver. After 16 Cup races, the crews of Jeff Gordon and Greg Biffle are tied for first in the Tissot standings with three wins each. There are 10 teams tied for third with one win each.(Tissot PR)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Montoya not second guessing his jump to NASCAR: Juan Pablo Montoya is sounding every bit like the guy who was born to race on ovals and in an recent interview he talked about how after two complete seasons in NASCAR he's starting to look at upcoming tracks like old friends instead of strange beasts. "I think if you look overall, our performance has been really good (this season)," he said. "Myself, I had five bad races. This week (at Phoenix) was a bad race for us because I screwed up in the pits. I think Vegas and Atlanta were bad races for us. And even with that, we're 15th in the points. We're not that far off the Chase. I think we're in a position that we can challenge for the Chase. "I think consistency is going to be the key to being able to make that, and we know that. I think if you look, there are a lot of things that have been talked about within the team, in the media, talking about how you end up going to the same car, both teams. I think Phoenix was the first step towards getting everybody on the same page. It really helped. (Martin) Truex was competitive. I was competitive. It's exciting. I think the future of the company looks really, really bright and it's positive."(Kingston Whig-Standard)
Friday, April 24, 2009
Montoya mum on contract length: Juan Pablo Montoya, on his status with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing: "My contract is still a couple years, two, three, four, five, I don't know. I'm not going to tell you actually how long is my contract." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Monday, April 6, 2009
Montoya in Chase contention: Don't look now but Juan Pablo Montoya is only one position and 16 points outside the top 12 after finishing seventh on Sunday. "That's a great run," Montoya said. "The guys worked hard all weekend and that's our third straight top-15 finish." (ThatsRacin.com)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Energizer on No. 42 at Vegas: The #42 Chevy of Juan Pablo Montoya will sport the Energizer paint scheme this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Crew Chief Brian Pattie and the #42 team will bring chassis #805 to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(EGR PR)
Sunday, February 8, 2009
EGR swap No. 8 & No. 42 owner points: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, whose largely sponsorless No. 8 car was 14th in 2008 owner points, has swapped positions with new teammate Juan Montoya, who was 25th last year while driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. The assumption is that if the 8 was shut down within the first five races, Montoya would have an 11-position advantage if qualifying was rained out. In conjunction with the point swaps, Chip Ganassi now owns the No. 8 and Teresa Earnhardt took ownership of the No. 42 from Ganassi's father, Floyd. (NASCAR.com)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Montoya to run Rolex 24 at Daytona for Ganassi: Defending Grand-Am Rolex 24 At Daytona winners Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced today a two-car effort for the Rolex Sports Car Series’ 47th running of the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona, featuring six drivers representing some of the best talent the motor racing world has to offer. Juan Pablo Montoya, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas will unite to form the driver lineup in the #01 TELMEX/Target Daytona Prototype, while Team Target IndyCar pilots Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti join Alex Lloyd in the #02 Target/TELMEX Daytona Prototype. Last year, the team became the first in history to win three consecutive overall titles in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The CGRFS roster will look to add to the record book this year with an impressive group of international racing champions representing three Indianapolis 500 titles (Montoya-2000, Franchitti-2007 and Dixon-2008), five open wheel championships (Montoya-1999, Dixon-2003/2008, Lloyd-2007 and Franchitti-2007), three Daytona Prototype championships (Pruett-2004/2006 and Pruett/Rojas-2007) and five former Rolex 24 winners.(CGR with Felix Sabates PR)
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Montoya insist he's not interested in F1: Juan Pablo Montoya has insisted that he doesn't have any interest in returning to Formula One, despite admitting that he has had offers to make a comeback. However, Montoya admitted that even if Ferrari or McLaren were to come calling, he had no interest in making a return to F1 and was settled in his new surroundings. "They're still looking for me [F1 teams] but I have rejected those offers," he was quoted as telling the EFE news agency. "Even when they say they want my phone number to talk to me, I say that if it's to return to Formula One then don't bother because I'm not interested. "My family is very happy in the US and I'm happy in NASCAR and to be honest with you, it has never gone through my head to go back to Formula One. Even if McLaren or Ferrari called me right now, I wouldn't go back." (Crash.net)
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Juan Pablo out of Bud Shootout if in a Chevy: Chip Ganassi Racing’s #42-Juan Pablo Montoya will not be allowed to use one of Dodge’s spots in the 2009 Budweiser Shooutout if the new Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing team switches to Chevrolet. According to the new rules, the top six teams from each manufacturer from the previous year qualify for the Shootout. When the new rules were announced in August, NASCAR officials said the issue of teams switching manufacturers in the offseason still needed to be worked out. While Earnhardt-Ganassi officials say they have not finalized a manufacturer, NASCAR Vice President of Operations Steve O’Donnell said Saturday morning that the teams will use their points from the previous year but their manufacturer of the current year to determine berths in the preseason event that comes eight days prior to the Daytona 500. “It will be the top six Dodges starting for the ’09 season,” O’Donnell said. (SceneDaily.com)
Monday, November 10, 2008
Montoya not interested in F1 return: Team boss Franz Tost sounded out whether Juan Pablo Montoya, a winner of seven Grand Prix, might be interested in returning to F1 with Toro Rosso in 2009. Montoya, 33, was a frontrunner with Williams and McLaren until a drop in form in 2006 led to his switch to NASCAR. But with Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost needing to fill Sebastian Vettel's seat, the Austrian admitted he looked into whether Colombian Montoya might be ready to return to the series. "Unfortunately he no longer wants to be in Formula One," Tost is quoted as saying by Auto Motor und Sport.(F1-Live.com)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Montoyta penalized after incident with Kyle Busch: After a caution flag flew with 21 laps to go, Montoya ran into the right-rear fender of Busch's car. It caused Busch to spin and hit Montoya's car as Montoya was driving by. "We always give each other lots of room," Montoya said of Busch. "But he went wide like I wasn't there. Then I got beside him and he started banging me like he was trying to wreck me. I looked at him like, 'What are you doing?' " Montoya had no problem admitting he deliberately ran into Busch's car. "Yeah. I did what he did to me," Montoya said. "I don't appreciate people who race me like that. There's a fine line and he crossed it." Apparently, NASCAR officials felt the same was about Montoya's retaliation move. He was assessed a two-lap penalty for rough driving outside of race procedure. It dropped Montoya to 32nd in the finishing order. Busch finished 25th, but still leads the Cup standings by 64 points over #31-Jeff Burton. So what caused the altercation with Montoya? "I have no idea," Busch said. "I got a run on him earlier. I didn't turn down into him. He ran me up the race track. The caution came out and he thought he had to beat me. I touched his door and he spun me out. I don't know what his beef is."(ESPN.com)
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Born: 9/20/1975