Countdown to Daytona: Owner Point Style No. 25 (Juan Pablo Montoya)

OK fans, we are to Day 11 and things have been tough so far. It’s hard to be creative now that I’m into my 11th day of this venture.

But have no fear, I will press-on and finish this just in time for the revved up engines to hit the track for the Budweiser Shootout.

Things, I thought, would get easier from here to number one, but just as I write this up, rumors are swirling that Juan Pablo Montoya could be heading to the No. 41 car next year.

Surprised?

I’m not really, drivers change cars and teams like they are playing a game of hot-potato anymore.

Either way, Montoya will only benefit from shifting over to Chevrolets.

Dodge is falling out of the sport slowly and having Martin Truex Jr. and possibly Bobby Labonte as teammates will be just what Montoya needs to get that win on an oval track.

For the sake of this article and my venture, lets just stick with Montoya in the No. 42 for now. So here goes:

Today’s Spotlight: No. 42

Team: Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing

Driver: Juan Pablo Montoya

Sponsor: Wrigley, Big Red Gum and Juicy Fruit (19 races). For a look at paint scheme visit Jayski.com.

Driver 2008 Stats: Montoya finished the season ranked 25th in the championship standings. He earned more than $4.4 million with three top-10 finishes and two top-fives. His average finish was 23rd and he led a dismal 14 laps.

News: Well this looked to be a team that would be not be messed with during the DEI-Ganassi merger, but in recent days it’s been rumored that because the No. 41 car has a full-time sponsor in Target, Montoya may be moved over to that team.

Montoya would be just as well in either car, and it’s not going to matter who (or what) is on the hood.

If rumors turn out to be true, Labonte will be Montoya’s teammate, and will be a great addition in speeding up the learning curve of Montoya, who enters his third full-time series in 2009.

My Prediction for 2009: Let’s face it, until Montoya wins on an oval track, nobody will give him credit. (My self included). Montoya has got to learn patience and be there near the front at the end of the race.

This guy has the talent to win races in NASCAR, and I think he finally proves it in 2009 with a win on something besides a road course.

As for points, I don’t see him finishing much better than where he did last year. I could see him advancing a few spots, maybe in the 20th to 25th place. Overall, Montoya still has a lot to do, if he wants to be competitive every weekend. On that to do list: find a better team!

Will this team remain in top-35: Mark it down, this team will have no problemo (no pun intended) remaining in the top-35. Montoya may not be competing for wins every weekend, but he has no problem running in the top-15 to top-20 range, so he will be fine in 2009.

Up Tomorrow: No. 19 Elliot Sadler

This story also appears on my blog: Sports 101

Reminder: Only 25 days until the Budweiser Shootout!

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