INDIANAPOLIS — Juan Pablo Montoya is in a familiar spot at Indianapolis Motor Speedway - out front.
A year after a late speeding penalty denied him a victory at the Brickyard, he’s hoping it sticks this time.
Montoya has steadfastly denied any lingering bitterness from last year’s near-miss, or any notion that the Brickyard owes him one. Instead, he is treating this visit as an entirely new opportunity.
“It’s given me a lot, so I don’t complain,” Montoya said.
Montoya, who won the Indianapolis 500 for team owner Chip Ganassi in 2000, turned a lap at 182.278 mph Saturday morning to take the top starting spot at the Brickyard.
Jimmie Johnson, who won his third Brickyard last season in part because of Montoya’s gaffe, qualified second with a lap at 182.142. Mark Martin of Batesville qualified third, followed by Jamie McMurray, Montoya’s teammate, Ryan Newman and Clint Bowyer, as Chevrolets took the top six qualifying spots.
Sports, Pages 35 on 07/25/2010