Lee Montgomery: Jinx or not, Marcos Ambrose a sure thing to win at Montreal
JTG Daugherty Racing driver Marcos Ambrose starts from the pole in Sunday's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. // LaDon George, NASCAR Scene
COMMENTARY
MONTREAL – Sorry, Marcos Ambrose, but you’re the man to beat in today’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Why am I sorry? Because now there’s no way he can win. Let’s face it, I’m a jinx. A plague. A curse. I am a black cat walking over a broken mirror under a ladder.
For starters, I’m a fan of the Chicago Cubs. Maybe I should say that this way: Hi. I’m Lee. I’m a Cubs fan. Is there such a thing as Chicago Cubs Fans Anonymous? Maybe I should start a 12-step program.
For race fans who know nothing about the Cubs, know this: They haven’t won a World Series in more than 100 years. Ouch. Has something to do with a Greek restaurant owner and a billy goat. Look it up.
Anyway, my jinx struck Brad Keselowski earlier this year. I said he’d be a strong contender for the Nationwide title, and he started the season by finishing 22nd, 27th and 27th. Sorry, Brad.
And that’s after jinxing Mark McFarland and Shane Huffman right out of rides for JR Motorsports.
Whatever I touch – editorially speaking – turns to mush.
So if you are a betting man or woman, place your bets. But not on Ambrose. He’s got no chance now.
So what if he’s dominated the last two races here – only to throw them away, to use his terms.
In 2007, Ambrose’s rookie year in the series, he led 37 of the 75 laps but got Robby Gordoned in the closing laps. Gordon had been penalized for rough driving in the latter stages, though he refused to go to the rear of the field for a restart.
NASCAR threw the green flag anyway, and – punt! – there went Ambrose and his chance for a victory.
Ambrose won a lot of fans that day with the way he smiled through the controversy.
He came back last year and was even more dominant in the rain, easily pulling away from the field in leading 27 of the soggy 48 laps. But Ambrose was penalized for speeding entering the pits on lap 43.
A bitterly disappointed Ambrose tried to smile, bit it was clearly forced.
Losing races eat at drivers like flesh-eating bacteria. The only antidote is a victory.
Today, Ambrose gets his antidote. Rain or shine, he’s the best here at the 2.71-mile track. Oh, sure, he’ll be challenged, but Ambrose has a fire in his belly that will hold off all comers.
Take it to the bank. Or some other similar cliché.
But first, let me say Beetle juice three times. So in that case, Beetle juice, Beetle juice, Beetle juice.
There. The jinx is over. Marcos Ambrose will win today.
