PREDICTIONS: Juan Pablo Montoya, Jeff Gordon among those favored to ‘kiss the bricks’ at Indy
Juan Pablo Montoya is among the favorites for the Brickyard 400. // Elmer Kappell, NASCAR Illustrated
INDIANAPOLIS – Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s Juan Pablo Montoya, whose last trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway resulted in perhaps the most costly speeding ticket of his racing career, returns to the scene of the crime in hopes of saving what has been a largely forgettable NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
The personable Montoya is still searching for that elusive first victory of the season, as is four-time Brickyard 400 winner Jeff Gordon.
The two are among this week’s four selections by the SceneDaily.com staff, joining Denny Hamlin – winless in four career Brickyard starts – and perennial favorite Jimmie Johnson – a three-time Indy winner.
Kris Johnson
Wins: 1
Top-5s: 29
Last week’s pick: Tony Stewart
Last week’s points: 138
Total points: 2,572
THIS WEEK'S WINNER
Juan Pablo Montoya
After a speeding penalty on pit road wiped away his shot at victory last year at Indy, the famed Brickyard owes Montoya one. That's not reason enough to select him, of course, but if the opening two practices were any indication, Montoya and the No. 42 bunch are back to claim what they think is rightfully theirs in 2010.
"It sucks we didn’t take the trophy home, but in my mind I think anybody that is in that team knows that we had the fastest car and we had the pace to win the race," Montoya said prior to leading opening practice at 176.876 mph.
Montoya, who also paced Friday's final practice session at 179.756 mph, led a race-high 116 laps in last year’s Brickyard 400 before the late speeding penalty. He'll lead the final lap Sunday – and four other Chevrolet drivers at the finish – and get that elusive win on an oval.
Top Five:
1. Juan Pablo Montoya
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Tony Stewart
5. Jeff Gordon
Jeff Owens
Wins: 1
Top-5s: 33
Last week’s pick: Jeff Gordon
Last week’s points: 170
Total points: 2,513
THIS WEEK’S WINNER
Denny Hamlin
After his fast start, Denny Hamlin has been in a bit of a slump lately. He's just been lulling the competition to sleep, waiting for another BIG opportunity to pounce.
Hamlin has five wins this year, four of them on big, tough speedways (Texas, Darlington, Pocono, Michigan). None is bigger and tougher than Indy. Hamlin rises to the occasion again and reminds the field that he is still a force to be reckoned with this year.
Top Five:
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Tony Stewart
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Juan Pablo Montoya
Bob Pockrass
Wins: 1
Top-5s: 29
Last week’s pick: Kyle Busch
Last week’s points: 112
Total points: 2,296
THIS WEEK'S WINNER
Jeff Gordon
Gordon has let me down a few times this year when I've picked him, but he's definitely due for a victory and the Brickyard is a place where he's won four other times.
He's been fast all season, and this track is all about being fast. He'll have to beat Tony Stewart, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick for this victory, and he will.
Top Five:
1. Jeff Gordon
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Tony Stewart
5. Jeff Burton
Kenny Bruce
Wins: 0
Top-5s: 27
Last week’s pick: Kasey Kahne
Last week’s points: 150
Total points: 2,149
THIS WEEK’S WINNER
Jimmie Johnson
How do you not pick Jimmie Johnson to win the Brickyard 400? If you’re in last place in the SceneDaily.com standings, you can’t afford not to.
The four-time series champion has won three of the last four races here, and has yet to show any signs he’s forgotten how to get around the 2.5-mile track.
Top Five:
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Kyle Busch
4. Juan Pablo Montoya
5. Clint Bowyer
