Montoya Emerging as Chase Wildcard
jpmontoya.com
BROOKLYN, Mich. – There are several drivers that deserve kudos for their accomplishments thus far this season.
Right at the top of the list, and not coincidentally at the top of the Sprint Cup standings as well is Tony Stewart.
But go down about six spots and you’ll find my pick for the biggest surprise of the season thus far, namely Juan Pablo Montoya.
Granted, Montoya hasn’t clinched anything – particularly a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup with four races to go.
I spoke with his PR director Thursday and we discussed Juan’s superstition about even talking about the Chase, let alone his hopes and chances of making it.
With just a 96-point lead over 12th-ranked Matt Kenseth, I can understand Montoya’s hesitation. As Yogi Berra used to say, “It ain’t over until it’s over,” and that’s the philosophy Montoya has adopted.
Smart move, too. He’s come out of virtually nowhere, backed by consistent finishes, to be where he is today.
Not only that, I’m going to make a prediction of sorts that Montoya is going to have some more strong finishes in the four remaining races heading into the Chase, thus assuring he makes the 10-race playoff for the first time in his career.
Had it not been for a penalty at Indianapolis, Juan likely would have won. But that doesn’t mean he can’t win anywhere else. I think he has a very good chance of winning Sunday at Michigan, not to mention next Saturday at Bristol, on Labor Day weekend in California and even the pre-Chase finale at Richmond.
What Juan needs now more than anything is a win. It would help take off a great deal of the pressure he’s facing right now, not to mention likely boosting him even further in the standings. I’m sure that he’d like to go into California and Richmond sitting relatively comfortable in the top-5, rather than being shaky sitting between sixth and 12th.
And if Montoya does make the Chase, look out. While he may be one of the biggest underdogs the five-year-old Chase has ever seen, Montoya is used to winning crucial races en route to championships in other series, particularly during his tenure in the open-wheel world.
He could easily become the biggest wildcard in the Chase. And we know how dangerous wildcards can be to guys who have the title in their sights, folks like Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, who’s going for his fourth consecutive Sprint Cup title.
So, don’t undersell Montoya. If he can get through Sunday’s race with a strong finish, you can pretty much put it on the board that the right Juan will be the only Juan in the Chase.
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