Juan Pablo Montoya's Rise To The Top Of NASCAR

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DARLINGTON, SC - MAY 08: Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during a break in practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Southern 500 on May 8, 2009 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. (Phot

The now driver of the 42 car has some how weaseled his way into the chase contention. Some say it's luck but I say he just needed time to adjust to the Car of Tomorrow. NASCAR needs new drivers like Juan Montoya to bring the best out of the sport and to show the world that NASCAR isn't just rednecks running in circles. It is a true sport that requires strength(mentally and physically), agility, and stamina.

Starting at a Young Age

DOVER, DE - MAY 31: Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, races Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 3M/Nexcare Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway on May 31, 2009 in Dover, Delaware. (P

He began driving by winning local and national championships in the karting series at age six.

From there he moved on to Formula 1.

Formula 1

MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 24: Juan Pablo Montoya of Columbia races for McLaren-Mercedes during the qualifying round of the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit on June 24, 2006 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Ima

In his very first season he won the Indianapolis 500. He drove for chip ganassi and started second on the grid. In his F1 career he won the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix.

He has:
7 wins
30 podiums
13 poles

Jump to NASCAR

JOLIET, IL - JULY 10: Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 10, 2009 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Im

His first start in NASCAR Juan Pablo Montoya started 29th and finished 34th at Homestead Miami.

First Full Season

JOLIET, IL - JULY 09: Juan Pablo Montoya leans on the #42 Target Chevrolet in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 9, 2009 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images fo

The first win came for Montoya at Sonoma. He fought his way through traffic after starting 32nd. His other best outing came at a previously successful track in Indianapolis. He finished 2nd at the Brickyard and 20th overall in points.

Juan Pablo Montoya won the rookie of the year award in the year 2007.

2008 In NASCAR

JOLIET, IL - JULY 10: Mark Martin (L), driver of the #5 CARQUEST/Kellogg's Chevrolet, talks with Juan Pablo Montoya (R), driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on Ju

While suffering his career worst nine DNF's. Juan Montoya managed to finish 25th in the sprint cup point standings. He finished the year with two top-fives and 3 top-tens.

2009 Chase For the Championship

CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, leads a group of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2009 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Ima

This season Juan Pablo Montoya is currently 11th in points standings going into the Chicago race. Though he hasn't had a victory this season he has been consistant and has an average finish of 14.7th place.

He as definately adjusted to the driving style that these cars offer. I believe that he will no longer be a middle of the pack driver. He is going to be up front with the big named companies bringing out the best of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.

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