[candlejack]

OK, time for the DEI vote. I'm rooting for Paul Menard. He has some experience driving in both Busch and NEXTEL Cup last year. I can see Montoya DNQing at least once this year.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by candlejack

I can see Montoya DNQing at least once this year.

omg thats blasphemy

it's nothing but poles from here on out for Montoya

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by simple simon

c'mon LSC....join me on the dark-side and praise Montoya as you know you wanna

i agree all the others have much more stock car experience the he does, and for some of them that should prove helpful

but i think the is one experience Montoya has that could come in very handy.....road courses

F1 runs alot if not all of their races on road courses and i think it may help MOntoya some.........NASCAR may not run many road courses but most drivers struggle when they do........it could be a real advantage for Montoya

Ahhh point well taken and on road courses I will agree that he may have some advantage BUT .... and now that you have opened it up I can dive in. How many teams put road course drivers in their cars to try and win ??? Granted not a majority but there are some that do it to try and get a win or at least points that the regular driver may not get. Point here is that open wheel/road course experts are not hailed as great stock car drivers. Sorry Simon I just cannot praise anyone without any substantial stats. Not saying I won't ... just not yet.

Originally Posted by simple simon

omg thats blasphemy

it's nothing but poles from here on out for Montoya

Did you bump your head somewhere along the way to the computer room ???

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Simple Simon

c'mon LSC....join me on the dark-side and praise Montoya as you know you wanna

i agree all the others have much more stock car experience the he does, and for some of them that should prove helpful

but i think the is one experience Montoya has that could come in very handy.....road courses

F1 runs alot if not all of their races on road courses and i think it may help MOntoya some.........NASCAR may not run many road courses but most drivers struggle when they do........it could be a real advantage for Montoya

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Ahhh point well taken and on road courses I will agree that he may have some advantage BUT .... and now that you have opened it up I can dive in. How many teams put road course drivers in their cars to try and win ??? Granted not a majority but there are some that do it to try and get a win or at least points that the regular driver may not get. Point here is that open wheel/road course experts are not hailed as great stock car drivers. Sorry Simon I just cannot praise anyone without any substantial stats. Not saying I won't ... just not yet.


Did you bump your head somewhere along the way to the computer room ???

Lets not forget short tracks you two, Bristol especially. How will he handle the Gs? And places like Darlington and Loudon where it can be extremely difficult to steer the car where you want it? Will he be able to work out the kinks at those tracks?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

Lets not forget short tracks you two, Bristol especially. How will he handle the Gs? And places like Darlington and Loudon where it can be extremely difficult to steer the car where you want it? Will he be able to work out the kinks at those tracks?

Two comments. One in reference to the G's. Isn't there more of a G-force in an open wheel buggy ??? I would think (never driven one) that the speed along in an open wheel car would be far greater than the stock cars.

Secondly I think your questions about the above mentioned tracks follows suit with my statement in that there are no statisical reasons to wave the flag for Montoya. Again he may be the next ROY but until he has some performance stats he is just another over media hyped name for me.

Just my opinion.

[Tuck4Bama]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I'd give Montoya 5 to 2 odds. He has the ride and a record of professional success to go along with it.

I'd give Menard 5 to 1. He has the second best record of experience in NASCAR's higher series'

David Reutimann and David Ragan are both at 20 to 1. Reutimann has good experience in CTS and some Cup Lite. About the only thing I see that ragan has going for him is an outstanding ride (#6), and lots of desire. He did well at daytona but one race doesn't make a season.

Allmendinger and Whitt are, at best 100 to 1. The question is: Will Red Bull have the patience it needs to see A.J. thru his training period? Brandon appears to be a good, talented kid but will his European F-3000 experience transfer to stock cars. he won one CTS, but like Ragan, one race doesn't make a career.

My personal take on the rookie race.

I had the drivers picked in that order But I must admit I have no Idea how to figure thre odds.

[Quality88]

The open wheel buggies have so much downforce they could drive upside down. Without their wing they would go airborn.

[Hassan]

I voted for Ragan and I'm sure Jack Roush agrees

[LSC9901]

Give them a couple more weeks and I think the picture will be a little more clear as to who is actually in the running.

[simple simon]

Rookie of the Year Candidates: how fast were they and where do they start:
#00-David Reutimann, 178.571, starts DNQ
#6-David Ragan, 179.826, starts 35th
#15-Paul Menard, 180.953, starts 22nd
#42-Juan Montoya, 183.187, starts 4th
#72-Brandon Whitt, 176.523, starts DNQ
#84-A.J. Allmendinger, 179.964, starts DNQ

Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site - Lineup and Qualifying Info

this is for this weeks race

looks like Montoya is getting the hang of it

[LSC9901]

I knew you wee going to jump on this one. I was watching qualifying today and he did look good. Lets see if that holds up during the race. I hope so.

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by simple simon

looks like Montoya is getting the hang of it
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Don't jump to soon simon qualifying and racing are two different animals.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by trollmc08

Don't jump to soon simon qualifying and racing are two different animals.

yes but he is starting 4th

over 55 drivers tried to qualify and he was faster then over 50 of them.......that's impressive

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by trollmc08

Don't jump to soon simon qualifying and racing are two different animals.

Originally Posted by simple simon

yes but he is starting 4th

over 55 drivers tried to qualify and he was faster then over 50 of them.......that's impressive

A big YES to both responses. Sunday will tell the story.

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by simple simon

yes but he is starting 4th

over 55 drivers tried to qualify and he was faster then over 50 of them.......that's impressive

YEA It's impressive for a qualifying set up remember the Rocket.