Show your support.
Buzz this article up.
Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 42 Texaco Havoline Dodge) won the TELCEL-MOTOROLA 200 last weekend and set the stage for this year’s Raybestos Rookie of the Year class. Every year brings fresh faces to challenge the NASCAR Busch Series, but this year’s could be one of the most talented classes ever.
Montoya has had success in almost every form of racing he has competed in, and now the NASCAR Busch Series is no different. Montoya made the jump from Formula-One to NASCAR at the end of last year, making him eligible to run in this year’s rookie class. He not only dealt with mechanical problems in Mexico City but also came back from the 19th position to win in only his third start in the NASCAR Busch Series this year.
“The win shows the team has potential to do well, but it doesn’t take the pressure off, †Montoya said. The win has helped him tremendously in the points, by helping him jump from 46th after the California race to 14th in the standings on his way to Las Vegas. Montoya has proven he can win on road courses; now he must perfect his oval racing skills.
Marcos Ambrose (No. 59 Kingsford Ford) finished 8th in Mexico and has started his season off well as the highest-ranked rookie sixth in the NASCAR Busch Series standings. Ambrose finished 16th at Daytona, and 25th at California, constistently posting quality finishes. Ambrose comes from Australia where he won consecutive Australian V8 Supercar titles; now he is testing his skills and proving he might be adding another title to his resume.
David Ragan (No. 6 Dicount Tire Ford) and Kyle Krisiloff (No. 14Clabber Girl Ford) are the next two rookies in the standings; 18th and 19th, respectively. Ragan also is starting in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series this season for Roush Fenway Racing.
