For Montoya, points at Sonoma could set future

SONOMA, Calif.

Juan Pablo Montoya confessed he'll "points race" Sunday at Infineon Raceway.

"Surprising, isn't it?" the road-course master said of the strategy of trying to earn points toward the season standings rather than going only for the win.

Before anyone moans about one of the sport's hardest-chargers on a road course backing down for a Sunday drive through wine country, understand Montoya won't drive that way.

"I'm going to run hard," he said moments after his points-racing declaration. "It's just avoiding stupid mistakes. Avoiding stupid wrecks. There's always people taken out. I was a victim last year of that. It doesn't mean you're not going to try to win.

"Worse-case scenario, you're probably going to finish fifth."

So, yes, plan on Montoya, who starts 17th, being at or near the lead Sunday. While he has a long pedigree of victories in Formula One and Indy Cars, his only Cup win came at this track in 2007, his rookie season.

When the series races here or at Watkins Glen, the circuit's other road course, he is one of the favorites. On ovals? Not so much.

Montoya is trying to change that perception. Four top-10s in the past six races help. Better equipment helps. More time with crew chief Brian Pattie helps.

All of that has Montoya 14th in the season standings - the highest he has been this late in the season in his Cup career. He's 43 points out of 12th, the last spot for the Chase for the Championship.

Competitors see improvement in Montoya.

Points leader Tony Stewart said Montoya struggled with how to race competitors early in his Cup career, relying on the aggressive style Formula One drivers use because they have so few chances to pass.

"If there was an opening, he'd go for it," Stewart said of Montoya. "That was just an adjustment he's had to learn over time."

Cup races are longer and provide more chances to pass.

"As you run up front with the guys that run up front consistently and have shots at winning the championship, you kind of pick up on how they're doing things and why they're doing it," Stewart said. "The thing about Juan... he learns very quickly."

This weekend could be pivotal for Montoya, who could help position himself for the future by earning as many points as possible on a course that suits his racing style. His average finish for the next two weekends at New Hampshire (22.7) and Daytona (27.0) are not impressive.

"Honestly, it's all about finishing better than where we are in the points," Montoya said. "That's our goal every week."

Mark Martin, who considers himself a Montoya fan, said he is confident Montoya can do that. Sunday will be Martin's first chance to race Montoya on a road course, because Martin had skipped those events the past two years while running a partial schedule.

"One of the reasons I wanted to stick around (rather than retire); Juan Montoya was coming to NASCAR," Martin said. "I wanted to be around to see that and... be able to race with him."