Montoya to take NASCAR leaders to Colombia

Schwartz Fan · 03-04-2008, 10:38 PM

Montoya to take NASCAR leaders to Colombia to showcase foundation
By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer
5 hours, 6 minutes ago

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—Juan Pablo Montoya gives back to his native Colombia through his Formula Smiles foundation, which builds playgrounds for children in communities in need.

Next week, he’ll lead a group of dignitaries to Cartagena to showcase the work he’s done with his wife, Connie.

“We’re just going to show them around and explain what we are doing,” Montoya said. “We’re going to take them to Cartagena and show them a little bit of the city and the project and show them what our foundation is all about and the needs people have there.”

Representatives from NASCAR, Chip Ganassi Racing, the Victory Junction Gang Camp and other members of the racing community will leave for Colombia after Sunday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The two-day trip will conclude with a check presentation for $25,000 from the NASCAR Foundation.

Formula Smiles provides sporting equipment and teachers to help engage youngsters in recreational athletics.

“I think it’s pretty exciting to see what NASCAR has given us and show the people in Colombia that NASCAR is not only about racing, but also supports the country and the cause,” Montoya said.

The trip will cap a whirlwind three weeks for Montoya, who will spend just one day at his home in Miami since before last month’s race at California Speedway. The rainout there kept him at the track an extra day. Then he was off to a series of photo shoots and promotional stops before playing in Kyle Petty’s charity golf tournament last Thursday in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The one bonus? He squeezed in a trip to TaylorMade and picked up a new driver.

“It is so awesome,” Montoya said. “You can’t even buy it yet, and I have one.”

From there it was on to Las Vegas, where Montoya had high hopes after a successful January test in which his No. 42 Dodge posted the fastest lap. But like many teams, his car wasn’t as good when he arrived for practice, and Montoya wrecked his car very early in the session.

It marked the first time in his short NASCAR career that Montoya had to pull out a backup car.

“Probably not the last time, though,” he said.

Montoya fell a lap down early in the race, then rallied to finish 19th.

“It was weird because we tested there, and we were so strong in the test,” he said. “It was actually very disappointing. We went a lap down really fast. We were always in the back of the line. We actually came into the pits, we were making camber changes, you know, big changes where you normally wouldn’t do that in the race.

“I told them, ‘If we want to get any better, we’re going to go there.’ And we did. It was a little late, but we actually managed to get back into the lead lap and pass a couple of guys. So from what looked to be a 35th-place car, we brought it all the way to a top 20, so it was pretty good.”

Montoya’s Q&A with AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer:

Q: What did you do while in Las Vegas?

JPM: We went to the amusements for the rides, and I did them all. On the first ride, the chairs open up, and you end up looking down outside the building. It’s freaky a little bit, and you can get sick as they spin you around. Then we went in a little car that goes over the thing, and it was scary.

Q: You were scared?

JPM: Oh yes.

Q: I thought you weren’t scared of anything?

JPM: Oh, no way. I am scared of heights. I am a baby.

Q: I asked you once if you were scared of anything …

JPM: Yes, heights.

Q: But you got mad at me and said you weren’t scared of anything.

JPM: That’s wrong. Heights. It’s why I said I would never parachute. There’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity. I don’t like it.

Q: But your home in Miami is THE PENTHOUSE!

JPM: Yes, so?

Q: Heights?

JPM: I don’t stand outside and try to go over the balcony.

Q: Do you stand on the balcony?

JPM: Now I can. In the beginning when we first moved in, I couldn’t go out there.

Q: Wow, you are a baby!

JPM: Oh yeah. Once we took a picture on top of the building—I was such a baby, I almost threw up.

Montoya to take NASCAR leaders to Colombia to showcase foundation - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports

revvinjim · 03-05-2008, 02:46 AM

"High Anxiety?"
It's cool to see that Juan is no different than the other drivers when it comes to charity work.

03-04-2008, 10:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Schwartz Fan Co-Administrator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The flatlands...Where dirt is for farming, clay is for racin' and asphalt is for gettin there!!! Posts: 7,444	Montoya to take NASCAR leaders to Colombia Montoya to take NASCAR leaders to Colombia to showcase foundation By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer 5 hours, 6 minutes ago CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—Juan Pablo Montoya gives back to his native Colombia through his Formula Smiles foundation, which builds playgrounds for children in communities in need. Next week, he’ll lead a group of dignitaries to Cartagena to showcase the work he’s done with his wife, Connie. “We’re just going to show them around and explain what we are doing,” Montoya said. “We’re going to take them to Cartagena and show them a little bit of the city and the project and show them what our foundation is all about and the needs people have there.” Representatives from NASCAR, Chip Ganassi Racing, the Victory Junction Gang Camp and other members of the racing community will leave for Colombia after Sunday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The two-day trip will conclude with a check presentation for $25,000 from the NASCAR Foundation. Formula Smiles provides sporting equipment and teachers to help engage youngsters in recreational athletics. “I think it’s pretty exciting to see what NASCAR has given us and show the people in Colombia that NASCAR is not only about racing, but also supports the country and the cause,” Montoya said. The trip will cap a whirlwind three weeks for Montoya, who will spend just one day at his home in Miami since before last month’s race at California Speedway. The rainout there kept him at the track an extra day. Then he was off to a series of photo shoots and promotional stops before playing in Kyle Petty’s charity golf tournament last Thursday in Scottsdale, Ariz. The one bonus? He squeezed in a trip to TaylorMade and picked up a new driver. “It is so awesome,” Montoya said. “You can’t even buy it yet, and I have one.” From there it was on to Las Vegas, where Montoya had high hopes after a successful January test in which his No. 42 Dodge posted the fastest lap. But like many teams, his car wasn’t as good when he arrived for practice, and Montoya wrecked his car very early in the session. It marked the first time in his short NASCAR career that Montoya had to pull out a backup car. “Probably not the last time, though,” he said. Montoya fell a lap down early in the race, then rallied to finish 19th. “It was weird because we tested there, and we were so strong in the test,” he said. “It was actually very disappointing. We went a lap down really fast. We were always in the back of the line. We actually came into the pits, we were making camber changes, you know, big changes where you normally wouldn’t do that in the race. “I told them, ‘If we want to get any better, we’re going to go there.’ And we did. It was a little late, but we actually managed to get back into the lead lap and pass a couple of guys. So from what looked to be a 35th-place car, we brought it all the way to a top 20, so it was pretty good.” Montoya’s Q&A with AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer: Q: What did you do while in Las Vegas? JPM: We went to the amusements for the rides, and I did them all. On the first ride, the chairs open up, and you end up looking down outside the building. It’s freaky a little bit, and you can get sick as they spin you around. Then we went in a little car that goes over the thing, and it was scary. Q: You were scared? JPM: Oh yes. Q: I thought you weren’t scared of anything? JPM: Oh, no way. I am scared of heights. I am a baby. Q: I asked you once if you were scared of anything … JPM: Yes, heights. Q: But you got mad at me and said you weren’t scared of anything. JPM: That’s wrong. Heights. It’s why I said I would never parachute. There’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity. I don’t like it. Q: But your home in Miami is THE PENTHOUSE! JPM: Yes, so? Q: Heights? JPM: I don’t stand outside and try to go over the balcony. Q: Do you stand on the balcony? JPM: Now I can. In the beginning when we first moved in, I couldn’t go out there. Q: Wow, you are a baby! JPM: Oh yeah. Once we took a picture on top of the building—I was such a baby, I almost threw up. Montoya to take NASCAR leaders to Colombia to showcase foundation - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports __________________

03-05-2008, 02:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
revvinjim Resident Old Fart Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 1,973	"High Anxiety?" It's cool to see that Juan is no different than the other drivers when it comes to charity work. __________________ Never argue with an idiot--people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

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