Happy Hour: It’s a Juan-derful world

If Sunday’s Pepsi 500 was a referendum on Auto Club Speedway, then the track lost. And this isn’t to kick on them while they’re down, but rather throwing in the towel to stop the beating.

Let’s get to the mailbag:

Good story Jay! I’m as old school as they come and I’d have no problem with Montoya winning the title. However, this story has two other story lines that are getting no ink whatsoever. One, is the resurgence of DEI/Ganassi, who everyone had pretty much written off. They are doing it with basically one competitive race car (Truex has been fast on occasion, but is pretty much running out the season). Second, Montoya is finding as Ricky Craven likes to put it, “speed” with DEI/RCR motors. Hence, whatever is ailing RCR … it’s not the motors!

Bob Moore
Glen Burnie, Md.

I’d lean toward giving Montoya credit for being an amazing talent before I’d buy into the “resurgence” of DEI/Ganassi. Take Montoya out of the mix and where are they?

Your second point is a good one, and it backs up something Jeff Burton said in June that their problem isn’t under the hood, but rather in the handling through the corners. This, I think, is where you have to give credit to Montoya’s crew chief Brian Pattie. While the RCR gang has struggled to be competitive, Pattie (using the same engine) has figured out a way to get his driver up front. This is why I’d vote Pattie for crew chief of the year.

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So, 85% have no problem with a foreign-born champion. Drivers from other series and other countries want to compete in NASCAR and not because they think it would be easy. These are all high compliments from the people who should know – the drivers. You can’t BUY PR like that.

What’s wrong with NASCAR becoming, well, like baseball or tennis or golf where many nations are represented? It can only add to the luster of the sport and the value of being crowned champion.

To the 15% – are you afraid of the competition? Man up and compete!

Jerel Walker
Katy, Texas

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Is NASCAR ready for a Hispanic champion? Me personally I think the question is a bit racist! This sport needs a foreign champion so that more and more drivers from other countries can have dreams of becoming NASCAR champions.

Juan Pablo is opening doors for my people that white redneck trash left closed for many, many years. Pretty soon, and I pray that it happens, the southern hick accent will be replaced by the broken English of Andres Cantor commentating. Budweiser will be replaced by the new sponsor of NASCAR, Aguardiente Crystal. Talladega will stop selling burgers and start selling Empanadas.

Here’s a thought Mr. Hart, Maybe soon because of drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya, NASCAR can have a world championship race. Imagine that a world championship race. Just like the Olympics. every 4 years. QUE VIVA COLOMBIA HIJUEPUTA!!!!!!

Juan Felipe Restrepo
Medellin, Colombia

To set the record straight, the question posed was if NASCAR was ready for a “foreign-born” champion. I asked it because of feedback I’ve received from readers, some of whom don’t appear ready.

Unfortunately, Juan, I think the first part of your message, which is a good one, will get overshadowed by what you wrote next. Let’s not play in that two-way street.

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Hey Jay, You probably don’t remember me telling you this in the race day chat room months ago, but I called JPM making the chase and finishing in the top 3 (if not winning it all) come seasons end. If he does, he has to be considered one of the greatest drivers of our time. Keep up the good work!

Vince
Phoenix

I’m not even sure we’re seeing Montoya at his best. I think we’re still a season away from that.

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California reaction: What in the world was Hamlin thinking when he decided to drive right down into Montoya? He (with JJ pushing) had such a great run that there was no way for them to slow down when Hamlin cut across the nose. At least he took credit for his “stupid rookie move” but I can’t help thinking that Keselowski was sitting in front of a TV laughing uncontrollably.

Montoya: It is time that everyone else realize that the best bet for a non-Hendrick championship is one hell of a driver. I got strange looks at the Brickyard his rookie season when I was the only one in the stands cheering for him. The man can flat out drive. Those that can’t stand the Hendrick domination (3 of top 4 at Cali) need to get on the Target bandwagon. Go Montoya!

Joe Becker
Indianapolis

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Moving a race from Auto Club Speedway to Kansas in 2011 is the equivalent of changing the event from watching paint dry to watching grass grow. Maybe NASCAR ought to review their TV ratings before making such an idiotic decision. (Oh, and yippee, another 1.5 miler).

Kansas even bores me to death in the NASCAR video game. Move the race to Kentucky or Vegas or even Chicago if it has to be 1.5 miles (not that Chicagoland is particularly exciting, but at least it could be a Saturday night race), but Kansas? I’d rather paint the grass and watch it dry/grow.

Nathan Bitner
Chapel Hill, N.C.

I’m with you, Nathan. I’m scratching my head over those who think a late-race wreck and a few wily restarts made Sunday’s race exciting. It wasn’t. End of discussion. What will lead to more discussion, however, is when Kansas receives a second Cup date. NASCAR needs to take a look at the fate of the cookie cutter ballparks that were demolished to make room for the retro parks. Down with intermediate tracks, I tell you, down with them!

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Jay, I think you are forgetting about a very huge part of this sport that we love so much. The first thing is that a very good percentage of local pavement and dirt tracks all race on Saturday nights. As a promoter of a local dirt track, I will be the first one to tell you that each Saturday night race that NASCAR schedules takes a huge toll on these businesses. I don’t know your background, but I’m sure you understand the importance of the these tracks staying alive. Let’s not forgot where most of these racers came from. Thanks.

Benji Lyons
USA Raceway
Tucson, Ariz.

Thanks for the email, Benji. Short tracks are the life blood, and before writing that I think NASCAR could benefit from having more Saturday night races in the Chase, I did consider tracks like yours.

While I am advocating more night races in the playoff, I am not calling for a complete takeover of Saturday nights. Put a few more Chase races on Saturday night – Phoenix, Homestead-Miami, Texas. Is that too many?

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Jay, Would NASCAR attract more fans if they did not race for points? The drivers that win the most races should be in the Chase. The driver that wins the most chase races wins the championship. In the event there is a tie then it would go to a point system. As a fan of the other major sports it’s hard to get excited about racing for points.

Jack
New York

It’s such an obvious question, Jack, I don’t know if many people have thought to ask it. While I understand your point, NASCAR’s championship has always been about consistency, not winning races, and as you probably know old habits die hard. Though points racing might not make sense to you, it does to the old school fan, and if NASCAR were to completely abandon the consistency part of its championship, it would, in a sense, be abandoning its diehard fan base.

Jay, I’m a black man from New York City, started watching NASCAR when I moved to FL in 1996. I kept wondering what was that number on everybody’s car I pass on the road. LOL. I pick Jeff as my driver, and been with him ever since. My point is, I love NASCAR and watch every race. I love the Chase. I would change just two things about NASCAR. (1) Win four races, you are in the Chase. (2) Move the Chase to Saturday night when the NFL comes to town. I love Jeff, but I’m a Dallas Cowboys fan for life.

Eddie Harrison
Mobile, Ala.