Juan Montoya, and crew cheif Brian Pattie have put together not only a great Chase start, but a great Cup season Getty Images/Rusty Jarrett
Every week I sit down to write my Juan Montoya chase coverage while qualifying is on. Every week I sit here waiting for this amazing run to come to an end, and each and every week I am completely amazed that Juan and his #42 team can continue to run this well.
In a way it begs the question of why they didn’t run this well in the regular over the first 26 races of the 2009 season, but it is obvious that something has clicked for this team. They have learned something that gives them an advantage or Juan Montoya is the embodiment of one Dale Earnhardt Sr., and he simply refuses to lose.
As a long time fan of this sport it really shouldn’t be so surprising. This is how this sports works. After the first two races many of us thought Matt Kenseth was a lock for the chase. His team lost something, and for the first time in his career Kenseth missed the chase.
However looking back at where Juan was finishing earlier this season maybe this run isn’t that big of a surprise. Through the first ten races Juan was already proving himself as a driver capable of running within or near the top ten. His average finish in those races was16.5.
Juan amazing run really started at the first Pocono Race where he finished 8th. From that point on his average finish has been 9.8. That is why he is the chase, and that is why he is running so well in the chase.
While many of us wait for Montoya to have a bad race, and end this amazing streak, it is starting to feel like maybe it won’t. As I write this Montoya has qualified within the top ten at California and looks to continue this run. A win on an oval course at this point would really be the icing on this cake.
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