We have seen a lot of these kind of manouvers in the racing world. Some are justified, some are mistakes and others are just... rubbish. What would be your opinion and why.
2007-03-07 09:46:06 · 32 answers · asked by Bright 2 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
"Rubbin is racin'"
2007-03-07 23:26:16 · answer #1 · answered by T from Texas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I watched the video a few times: Montoya was a little overly optimistic about making the pass. He certainly hadn't pulled along side Pruett as they went into the turn, and by rights Pruett should have "owned" the racing line there. The wiser move probably would have been to follow through and try to over take at the exit or entry to the first turn after the esses.
But that said, it looks to me like Pruett went for an early apex going into the turn, which tends to suggest he knew Montoya was there and was trying to keep Montoya from cutting underneath. He could have easily have left racing room for Montoya and still have had the inside line to make a run through the second part of the esses.
Both drivers went at it aggressively. And while most seem to be angry at Montoya for spinning his teammate, there was another teammate involved that decided to shut the door very late and also jeopardize both driver's possible results.
In the end, I don't know if I could call Montoya's move "too aggressive." He wound up winning the race! Which almost by definition would mean it was just aggressive enough. A better result would have been a 1-2 for the team, which would have been very possible if either driver had backed off just a little.
Considering Montoya is still a new comer, establishing that he will make such a move will most likely pay dividends for him down the line as other drivers try to defend in the future. He may never need to make such a move again, but the memory that he WILL do it will always be there.
2007-03-07 11:32:22 · answer #2 · answered by Paul S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Montoya was justified in trying to make the pass, its unfortunate that his teammate got spun but he did score a top 5. Its a race and Montoya had made almost all of his passes in the turns at turn 1 and 7, Pruett should have known that it was coming and should not have taken the high line coming into the turn. I think Pruett was told Montoya had dived to the inside and he went to block thinking he had the room and he didnt. If Hamlin had spun Yeley for the lead it would be a non discussion because they both are american, the only reason its an issue now is because Montoya did it if he had been the one spun it would also be a non issue.
2007-03-08 03:36:05 · answer #3 · answered by Kenneth W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it was definatly too agressive but on the same token Pruett's spotter needed to tell him where Montoya was as he had a much stronger car and it was only a matter of time before a pass was made. So blame can be placed with both teams . Hopefully Montoya learned from this as well as Pruett's team.
2007-03-07 12:54:36 · answer #4 · answered by boxpro86 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
#1. Pruett did not chop Montoya off. Position needed to be established by Montoya. He needed to be up to Pruett's left front door to attempt a pass. Was Pruetts's door damaged? Hell no, Montoya pranged him on the LR tail light and fender. Didn't anyone see the damage on Montoya's car after the race? His entire left front fake head light area was caved in. He clearly spun out Pruett just to get the win.
Ladies and gentlemen that's precisely why the guys who drive sprint cars are better drivers. They drive with a ton more control and precision. They very rarely touch each other. They control 900+ horsepower cars that weigh 1,350 lbs. with the driver! If anyone remembred Dave Despain's interview with Jeff Gorden he stated: When I took the delivery of my first sprinter built by Lee Osborne we tried it out on an Indiana dirt road. When Lee pushed me off the tires were scrubbing in the road. When I saw I had oil pressure then I flipped the ignition switch. The car literally tore my head, arms and shoulders off. The crankshaft is connected directly to a short torque tube which transfers to the quick change rear end. No clutch, fiywheel, or transmission. Each time I touched the throttle I thaught I was headed for a field. He also stated: Sprint cars are by far the most difficult cars to drive and people who drive them are the best drivers in the world.
I personally saw Kasey Kahne warming yo Kraig Kinsers 410 sprinter at Williams Grove Speedway two years ago. There's a kid who would fit right in.
2007-03-07 14:12:19 · answer #5 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pruett was racing Grand Ams back in the 1980s and open wheel cars for as long. He should know better than to cut off his own teammate.
There was enough room that Pruett could have taken a parallel line and let Montoya through at the chicane which would have prevented anyone getting through from behind. Montoya was driving to take that parallel line, from outside to inside on the exit, but Pruett gave him no room.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EHEem7_LkI
Blaming Montoya for this is ridiculous.
.
2007-03-07 10:57:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, I don't think Montoya was wrong in hitting Scott Pruett. Montoya was faster and he could out brake Pruett. It was clear by the video that Pruett came down on Montoya. It looked like Pruett was trying block Montoya. It's funny that on that lap and at the last minute he decided to change the line he was running. I am not a fan of either one, but on this matter Montoya did nothing wrong in my opinion. I can bet you next time Pruett will think twice about trying to block Montoya.
2007-03-07 10:21:49 · answer #7 · answered by sissy24 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
His move on Pruett was completely unacceptable. He barely even slowed down when Pruett turned in front of him. How could not see a guy who's been right in front of you for a few laps turn in front of you? Not to mention that they're teammates. He had the faster car, so he would've passed him eventually. Instead, lay on the cheap shot and win the race. "Accidental" spinouts and bumps have always burdened race finishes, so NASCAR should fine, take points off, or even strip the racer's win if they do something like that.
2007-03-07 11:56:03 · answer #8 · answered by J Nig 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Intresting.Your question sounds like one that was on the sports radio here in B,ham.One of the best answers came from a Hendricks racing fan and went like this;I think Juan Pablo is NASCAR's Pancho Villa after the race in Mexico.
2007-03-08 00:57:04 · answer #9 · answered by blakree 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it was aggressive but he was getting blocked by pruett who is not a full time teammate anyways so if he wasnt going to give jp room to race he did what he had to do to win i like that besides how many times did the late great dale earnhardt do the same thing if someone was in the way and he had a faster car so i dont blame jp he did what he had to do
2007-03-07 13:06:58 · answer #10 · answered by Billy S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Montoya had a faster car and fresher tires. He should have waited until he had a clear shot. There was sitll nine laps to go in the race.
2007-03-07 09:49:58 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋