Montoya receives a helping hand from rival
As season-ending chase heats up, drivers ready for race at Martinsville
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MARTINSVILLE, VA. -- Twice in the opening five races of NASCAR's season-ending, 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, Juan Pablo Montoya's frustration because of something that happened on the track has been aimed at Mark Martin, a fellow contender for the title.
The first time he was annoyed that Martin, running just ahead of him, faked him out on a late restart. And last week, Martin ran into him from behind, denying both a solid finish.
But for all his frustration with Martin in the heat of the moment, Montoya has often sought the respected veteran's advice as he made his transition to NASCAR racing.
"I ask Mark Martin a lot of questions and he helps me out a lot," Montoya said Friday as the Sprint Cup Series arrived at Martinsville Speedway, the sight of Sunday's race.
During his Formula One days, Montoya said, rivals not only don't give other racers advice, they reveled in watching them struggle trying to figure out what they were doing wrong.
NASCAR is different, he said.
"It makes no sense. It's crazy, but he does it and he helps," he said. "There's something great about this sport. People are really open about it. Once you're on the racetrack, you are by yourself. . . . Off the racetrack, you can go to anybody and they'll help you."
Martin is among the most sought-after for advice, and the most willing to help.
"First of all, one of the biggest forms of flattery is to have someone come and want to talk to me and want my opinion or advice," he said. "It's very flattering."
Martin also isn't alone in his willingness to help out the new guys.
Montoya's first experience came during a test session in Miami, before his debut, when Kevin Harvick saw him taking the wrong line around the track and offered some pointers.
"He came to me and said, 'You've got to go a little deeper and do a little of this and a little of that,' " he said. "I was like, 'Are you kidding me? You actually came to help me?' "
