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StumblePublished Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 | 2:21 p.m.
Updated Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 | 2:27 p.m.
Prior to the start of the Chase, Mark Martin stated that Juan Pablo Montoya was a driver he thought had a good chance of winning the Cup title. Judging from Martin’s performance on Sunday, he could have said the same thing about himself. But he’s too classy and humble to speak about himself in those terms.
Martin, who just signed a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports, must be wondering why he ever considered retiring. I imagine he’s also wishing he had come to Hendrick Motorsports earlier in his career where he could have had more time to take advantage of Hendrick’s top-flight equipment and the expertise of crew chief Alan Gustafson.
The New Hampshire Motor Speedway hasn’t been one of Martin’s best tracks. But the one track in the Chase that causes the most heartburn for Martin is Talladega. He has always been vocal in his criticism of restrictor-plate racing and he’s had share of hard luck at the Alabama track. It could easily be the toughest race for Martin in the Chase.
Juan Pablo Montoya, who finished third, said he got “screwed” by Martin after the final restart. Montoya, who drove aggressively throughout the race, contended that Martin slowed him down by intentionally slowing down between turns one and two. Martin said he was just trying to maintain control of his car. Maybe Montoya should have asked Jeff Burton if he got screwed after Montoya sideswiped his car and sent it into a spin.
…
Pat Tryson, the crew chief for Kurt Busch, is leaving the No. 2 team at the end of the season to be the crew chief for Martin Truex. Penske Racing has decided that Tryson will only be allowed into the race shop on Tuesday’s for meetings, but he will also have to spend the rest of the week at home. I find it difficult to understand how Tryson can be fully prepared for race day under these restrictions. But Penske Racing is concerned about Tryson taking information regarding future plans to his new job. Busch had one of the strongest cars on Sunday, but an accident on pit road and a series of late cautions relegated him to a sixth-place finish. Although Busch’s car was strong at New Hampshire, I’ll be amazed if the situation regarding Tryson doesn’t have a negative impact on the competitiveness of the No. 2 team in the next nine races.
Here’s an interesting story from Sunday’s New York Times on the successes of Roger Penske.
"Maybe Montoya should have asked Jeff Burton if he got screwed after Montoya sideswiped his car and sent it into a spin."
What race were you watching? Yes, Montoya's car got loose and side swiped him but Jeff Burton's car did not go into a spin. Montoya actually apologized to him right afterward over the radio. Regarding the 'screwed' comment, if I had been fastest in practice, qualifying, led the most laps, then lost the race and had all of a couple of minutes post checkered flag before some reporter shoved a mic in my face I might also say some comments that could sound like I was whining. Montoya isn't Shrub. Give him a break.
BTW - Great win for Mark. Hope to see more in this chase. I agree, he is a guy with a lot of class.
Give him a break my b*tt..he drives aggressive alot of the time. He got what he deserved. He lost the race and wants to complain, just because they shove it in his face right after the race, like they do to everybody else, some people just like to whine. He does enough of it. And how could you tell if he was whining when you can barely understand him when he speaks anyways.
go mark
You seriously have to learn how to speak Montoya. He's the same guy who says that he got "friggin" sideways in Atlanta, but you can tell he's psyched about his car.
What he was clearly saying in his comment was that Martin nailed him, hoodwinked him, beat him. The climate was "ok you got me, old man. Watch out." This is awesome. He was NOT whining. His interviews are some of the most interesting out there.
All bets are off on the last lap. Montoya should know that.
I don't want Montoya to win the Championship but it sure isn't because he's a foreigner who speaks with an accent. I wonder if kvg2009 would be able to master another language as well as Juan has English in the same time frame? I hadn't really had any other favorites in the Chase after Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin but now I believe I'll be pulling for JPM as my 3rd choice just because of prejudiced people like that.