Montoya unflappable after reporter confronts him

October 9 2009

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FONTANA, Calif. - Juan Pablo Montoya’s media availability at Auto Club Speedway suddenly became very uncomfortable this morning when a reporter tried to confront the driver about being turned down for an interview.

A Latino reporter who identified himself as being from the “American Forces Radio and Television Service” told Montoya he was asking his question in English “because I want everyone to understand what we’ve been going through with you.”

“In the past, the Spanish-language media didn’t have any problems getting one-to-one interviews,” the reporter said, listing off other Spanish-speaking personalities from the racing world. “You came to NASCAR with a different attitude: When anyone tries to get a one-to-one interview with you, you always deny.”

Montoya started to protest, saying, “I’m not in charge of making – ” but the reporter cut him off.

“May I finish, please? May I finish?” the reporter said. “This is something that you must understand: Spanish-language media is also important, especially for you. OK?”

Montoya’s facial expression showed he was mostly unaffected by the exchange and appeared to have little reaction, but he said sharply, “What’s the question?”

“The question is, was it you, or was it your people?” the reporter asked.

“I don’t make decisions, they tell me where to go and what to do,” Montoya replied. “I don’t make decisions of what interviews to do, they think – ”

“That’s not true!” the reporter said, cutting Montoya off again.

“They (the public relations representatives) pick which interviews are worth doing and which are not,” the driver said.

“So we’re not worth it?” the reporter asked.

“I don’t know,” Montoya said, with his tone suggesting that he did know. “Is USA Today more worth it for [sponsor] Target than a Latin interview? I would think so.”

Montoya continued, “There’s a certain amount of time you spend with the media, and myself being Colombian, I try to do a lot of interviews [with Spanish-speaking media] … Because you haven’t got an interview? I wouldn’t assume everybody didn’t.”

The reporter and Montoya had a few more minor words, with the reporter saying he had been trying to get an interview for four years, before a NASCAR moderator ended the exchange.

It’s not unusual for drivers and reporters to publicly disagree, but such a blatant attempt to embarrass a driver is rare.

Montoya handled the situation far better than many others would. He seemed unflappable and was unfazed by the incident, which probably lends some insight to his personality inside the car when he faces adversity during races.