Montoya could clinch CART title in Houston

Mike Harris

Thursday, Sept. 23, 1999 | 5:40 a.m.

HOUSTON - Jimmy Vasser is amazed by the way his teammate, Juan Montoya, is dealing with the CART FedEx Series championship chase.

"The kid has nerves of steel," Vasser, the 1996 champion, said. "Maybe someone should remind him that he's 23 and on the brink of winning a PPG Cup."

Montoya has taken the CART series by storm. The sensational Colombia rookie has driven to six poles and seven race wins in his first 17 races, building a 28-point lead over preseason favorite Dario Franchitti heading into the Texaco Grand Prix of Houston.

With two races remaining following Sunday's event on a temporary street circuit winding around Houston's downtown convention center, Montoya has the opportunity to clinch the title this week.

If he comes away with a 44-point lead, the Target/Chip Ganassi Racing team will have a record fourth consecutive series championship - added to those won by Vasser and two-time champion Alex Zanardi, Montoya's predecessor.

Some youngsters might feel pressured in this situation, but Montoya appears totally comfortable with his situation.

"He has the right attitude," Vasser said. "He hasn't changed a thing about how he's approaching races."

The opening of practice and qualifying Friday will be Montoya's first look at the 1.527-mile Houston circuit.

"I like going to races where I've never driven on the course before," Montoya said. "It's a challenge to see how quickly I can learn the course and improve.

"I've had a lot of help from my team and from Jimmy. They do a good job letting me know what to expect at each new race, but you never know what it's like until you get there and race around."

As for the championship battle, he said, "I've tried not to think about the points. I haven't checked to see exactly how far I'm ahead. All I know is that I have to race well in Houston, and that's what I plan to do."

Franchitti, who won last year's rain-marred and shortened Houston inaugural from the pole, is aware of the points difference.

"We're running out of time to catch Juan," he said. "We have to have a great race in Houston again this year.

"We also need Juan to experience some gremlins or a hiccup if we're going to stay in the hunt."

There is a total of 22 points available at each event, with one for winning the pole, 20 for winning the race and one for leading the most laps.

Should Franchitti falter and fail to score, Montoya could clinch the title by finishing third or better - something he has done nine times this season.

But the Scotsman's chances of keeping the championship chase going appear good, since he has posted four of his five career victories on temporary street circuits. That includes wins earlier this year at Toronto and Detroit.

"Team Kool Green seems to have a feel for this kind of track," Franchitti said. "As long as we've still got a mathematical chance to catch Juan, we're going to go for it."