[LSC9901]

Time for a poll to vote for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Rookie of The Year award.

[simple simon]

Juan Pablo Montoya

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by simple simon

Juan Pablo Montoya

I don't know crap about NASCAR so I am gonna follow your lead, and let you feel special...

[simple simon]

right now its basically between Ragan and Montoya....the others have a very outside shot at best......they basically could get in if Ragan and Montoya fail to qualify for a race

as for the two contenders......after one race Ragan has a 49 point lead in the standings.....keep in mind Ragan has more NASCAR experience mostly with trucks and Busch cars, but Montoya is a much much more experienced racer

i think by mid-season Montoya will have a great handle on how to drive that car and he will leave the others far behind

[Mike24]

I think Montoya will win rookie of the year. As simple simon said I only see Ragan has a contender, but I think Montoya will win it.

[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.

[SpaceCadet]

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 think Montoya has the best chance of winning, unless he continues to have mechanical problems severe enough to cause DNF's. His ride has been inconsistent. He seems to be a quick learner so hopefully he'll get a better "feel" for the car very soon. He certainly has the talent. Of course, getting taken out in stupid wrecks won't help, but I'll bet he already knows who he needs to avoid (if it's possible to avoid someone going 185 mph six inches from your bumper) to keep his nose clean.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

I think Montoya has the best chance of winning, unless he continues to have mechanical problems severe enough to cause DNF's. His ride has been inconsistent. He seems to be a quick learner so hopefully he'll get a better "feel" for the car very soon. He certainly has the talent. Of course, getting taken out in stupid wrecks won't help, but I'll bet he already knows who he needs to avoid (if it's possible to avoid someone going 185 mph six inches from your bumper) to keep his nose clean.

As I see it, the other rookies will have peaks and valleys in their first year, while I believe John Paul's experience will make his the more consistent driver. This will get him the ROY honors.

[RUSTYFAN2]

I have to agree with everyone else. Montoya has the best chance for ROY. He won the champ car championship in his first year. He is the top talent.

[Quality88]

I'll give the nod to Ragan... I think the boy may have something up his sleeve.... I could be wrong though... only time will tell.

[trollmc08]

I have got to say Montoya will win it but I think it will be close.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by trollmc08

I have got to say Montoya will win it but I think it will be close.

the only one close to Montoya right now is Ragan......who is actually ahead of Montoya at the moment

do you see this close race just between the 2 of them or do you see someone else joining them ?

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by simple simon

the only one close to Montoya right now is Ragan......who is actually ahead of Montoya at the moment

do you see this close race just between the 2 of them or do you see someone else joining them ?

No, I think it will be between these two, but you never know till it's over.

[Quality88]

I think if anbody comes close( and again, I could be very wrong), it would be Reutimann. I think he has something to prove and he is very hungry. I believe he finshed pretty well in the CTS Championship didn't he?

[trollmc08]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I think if anbody comes close( and again, I could be very wrong), it would be Reutimann. I think he has something to prove and he is very hungry. I believe he finshed pretty well in the CTS Championship didn't he?

not sure where he finished in the CTS but I think he is a pretty good driver just don't know if he is up there with Montoya or not.