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A NASCAR BLOG BY Art Weinstein

Montoya has learned his lessons

May 3 2008

I predicted Juan Pablo Montoya would make the Chase last year, in his rookie season. I was wrong.

I predicted Montoya would NOT make the Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup this year. Looks like I might be wrong again.

Montoya’s runnerup finish at Talladega Superspeedway April 27 moved him up five spots in the standings, to 12th, the final Chase position. While we’re only nine races into the NASCAR’s 26-race “regular season,” Montoya has been possibly the biggest surprise thus far.

Coming into the sport last year, he was hailed for his raw talent and his aggressive nature, two good indicators for success. That’s why some observers predicted instant success. But last year was a learning experience for the former open-wheel star, who has just a few dozen stock-car races to his credit.

Apparently, he’s learned his lessons well. He heads into tonight’s race at Richmond with a string of eight straight top-20 finishes.  His longest such streak all of last year was three, which he did only once. That shows he’s probably learned the toughest lesson any talented, aggressive driver must learn about NASCAR – it’s all about the points. If you don’t have a car that can win, or finish in the top 10, don’t push your luck and wreck racing for 14th or 20th-place. Bring the car home in one piece, collect the points, and start over next week.

There are 17 races to go before the Chase field is set, so obviously, anything can happen between now and then. With some terrible luck, Montoya could finish 25h in points. But Montoya has put himself in position to make NASCAR’s playoffs, and with two road-course races between now and then - he picked up his first NASCAR Cup victory at Infineon Raceway last year - and a trip to Indianapolis (where Montoya finished second last year), he has several more good chances at great finishes ahead of him.

Whether he makes the Chase or not, it’s interesting watching this former open-wheel star learn the NASCAR way.

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Art Weinstein

Managing Editor Art Weinstein has been covering NASCAR since 1995 and has worked at NASCAR Scene for 11 years.

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