[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I agree. Not very fond of JPM right now. If he can't drive a car with fenders, he should go back to open wheel. I don't think he's as good as he "thinks" he is. Didn't Stewart come straight from open wheel?

As for the Busch brats, can't stand em!

There is no doubt that Montoya has potential. He also has some maturing to do. When anyone is built up the way the media and his sponsors have tried to sell him he is bound to have an ego.

My issue with him, today, is the Busch race he won. He took out his own team mate to accomplish his goal. There was about 15 laps left (+/-) and more than likely he would have gotten by Pruett but he went ahead, against Ganassi's verbal orders, and did the deed. That is one area where he needs to mature. Wins are important to prove your value but if you attain them recklessly you've only decreased your value. Take some time and learn the system. Changing it to fit you isn't always the answer.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

There is no doubt that Montoya has potential. He also has some maturing to do. When anyone is built up the way the media and his sponsors have tried to sell him he is bound to have an ego.

My issue with him, today, is the Busch race he won. He took out his own team mate to accomplish his goal. There was about 15 laps left (+/-) and more than likely he would have gotten by Pruett but he went ahead, against Ganassi's verbal orders, and did the deed. That is one area where he needs to mature. Wins are important to prove your value but if you attain them recklessly you've only decreased your value. Take some time and learn the system. Changing it to fit you isn't always the answer.

I didn't see the Busch race that you refer to, but I'm not surprised to hear that he took out his team mate. Was it the All Star or the 600 that he went down on the inside, tried to force himself through and wrecked?

Yes. He needs to calm down and stop putting his car where it just can't go. "Stupid rookie mistakes" is what I've seen so far. Expected? Perhaps. I just hate to see other drivers impacted by JPM's antics.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I didn't see the Busch race that you refer to, but I'm not surprised to hear that he took out his team mate. Was it the All Star or the 600 that he went down on the inside, tried to force himself through and wrecked?

Yes. He needs to calm down and stop putting his car where it just can't go. "Stupid rookie mistakes" is what I've seen so far. Expected? Perhaps. I just hate to see other drivers impacted by JPM's antics.

is it really what he does, or his attitude, or the pre-season hype? for instance, I submit Allmendinger has been in more wrecks than JPM because of "stuped rookie mistakes" .. and he's a big name from open wheel. why aren't people down on him?

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

is it really what he does, or his attitude, or the pre-season hype? for instance, I submit Allmendinger has been in more wrecks than JPM because of "stuped rookie mistakes" .. and he's a big name from open wheel. why aren't people down on him?

Good points. It probably is a combination of what JPM does, his attitude and the hype. As for Allmendinger, I don't even pay attention to him.

I don't think I'll ever cheer for Montoya. In the few interviews I've seen with him, typically after a wreck, I just didn't like his manner. Personal taste, I guess.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

is it really what he does, or his attitude, or the pre-season hype? for instance, I submit Allmendinger has been in more wrecks than JPM because of "stuped rookie mistakes" .. and he's a big name from open wheel. why aren't people down on him?

Maybe because he is driving a Toyota ???? Thats enough going against him right there. JP is in an established team.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

is it really what he does, or his attitude, or the pre-season hype? for instance, I submit Allmendinger has been in more wrecks than JPM because of "stuped rookie mistakes" .. and he's a big name from open wheel. why aren't people down on him?

I think it's the hype more than what he does. Haven't really seen him do alot that other drivers don't do. He's had his share of wrecks, but so has alot more, some of them more than him. The kid in the #6 now, is it Ragan? I call him 2 wreck minimum, cause it seems like he's gonna have at least 2 wrecks almost every race.

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

is it really what he does, or his attitude, or the pre-season hype? for instance, I submit Allmendinger has been in more wrecks than JPM because of "stuped rookie mistakes" .. and he's a big name from open wheel. why aren't people down on him?

Wrecking Pruett stunk, but the last straw for me is his attitude. I do feel he could be as good at fendered cars as he was in open wheel except for his pompous attitude. His "get over it" comment after he wrecked half the field really ticked me off. I actually agreed that everyone needed to get over it, but it was the way he said it. I'm not quite sure why Allmendinger is having such a tough time. Too bad, I kinda like him.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

Wrecking Pruett stunk, but the last straw for me is his attitude. I do feel he could be as good at fendered cars as he was in open wheel except for his pompous attitude. His "get over it" comment after he wrecked half the field really ticked me off. I actually agreed that everyone needed to get over it, but it was the way he said it. I'm not quite sure why Allmendinger is having such a tough time. Too bad, I kinda like him.

"Get over it", huh? What a jerk. Let's see what he says when someone else wrecks him!

I haven't noticed the crowd's response to Montoya. Anyone know if they cheer, boo?

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Not very fond of JPM right now. If he can't drive a car with fenders, he should go back to open wheel.

PPS ......... Montoya is currently in 22nd in points which means he is basically doing better then almost 1/2 the drivers out there ....... what more do you want from a rookie ?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by simple simon

PPS ......... Montoya is currently in 22nd in points which means he is basically doing better then almost 1/2 the drivers out there ....... what more do you want from a rookie ?

How about a little humility

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

How about a little humility

he may very well be a pompous arse ........ but as someone stated earlier, at least a part of that must be attributed to the hype

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by simple simon

PPS ......... Montoya is currently in 22nd in points which means he is basically doing better then almost 1/2 the drivers out there ....... what more do you want from a rookie ?

Yeah ... when he doesn't take out half the field.

I have an open mind. Let's see what the rest of the season brings. As LSC said, a little humility would be good. And I thought Donald Trump was arrogant!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I hate that title analogy, but I have to ask.

Since you guys brought JPM to my attention, I've been following his performance in Cup. What the h*ll is the fascination? I don't care what he did before joining Cup. He appears to be another Robby Gordon: an accident waiting to happen.

I know this has been discussed before, but I've been watching JPM over the past several weeks and I just don't see him, or anyone else, as a strong contender for Rookie of the Year.

Tell me! Tell me!





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb097&pp=ZN

Speaking only for myself, I believe that his past history as a winner in both F1 and CART is truly significant. I have a lot of apathy for both of this series but that doesn't mean they aren't extremely important in the world of auto racing, and due a goodly amount of respect.

I like to watch him race for two reasons:
(1) He's absolutely fearless and doesn't wait for the race to come to him; he'll go to the race in a nanosecond.
(2) He drives to win. Not nearly enough of that trait in this new kinder, gentler NA$CAR.

He does remind one of Robby Gordon, but, to me, so far he's been more like Buckshot Jones, only much more successful. WARNING: Do NOT bet against him winning at either Sears Points, Watkins Glen, or both.

As Duck pointed out, his ROY point stats speak for themselves (This opens up another debate; since NA$CAR rookies are now starting out in rides capable of winning, as apposed to previous seasons, should the way ROY points are assessed be changed?)

If JP sticks around (and I have serious doubts that he won't get tired of NASCAR's schedule, and coming to NASCAR was undoubtedly a pay cut for him) get used to him; he'll probably be a multiple champ.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

If JP sticks around (and I have serious doubts that he won't get tired of NASCAR's schedule, and coming to NASCAR was undoubtedly a pay cut for him) get used to him; he'll probably be a multiple champ.

that really stuck out to me Bob, i thought i had heard otherwise

i searched high and low and could only find this:

Auto Racing Legend Juan Montoya Leaves Formula One For NASCAR by David Maillie
Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Famous Formula One racer Juan Pablo Montoya has officially turned in his keys and has embarked on a new career in NASCAR. As of Tuesday July 11, Montoya announced that he will be driving on Chip Ganassi's Nextel Cup team. Being that there are 4 Nextel Cup races left it is a sure thing that Montoya will make his debut some time this year before the season ends. Rumor has it that this was purely a financial move as the potential growth and current earnings of NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers have far outweighed that of their Formula One counterparts.
Auto Racing Legend Juan Montoya Leaves Formula One For NASCAR by David Maillie

i dont know the author but i hope it rings true to you

[Mike24]

I see alot of Gordon/Sr in Montoya, but we will see if he can backup his talent when he gets more experienced. When you are a rookie, you will go through these situations of learning. But Montoya is too talented to be the next Robby Gordon. Look for him to be a Chase contender by 2009, or possibly next year.