Montoya Wins Pole at Talladega

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- He's won the Indy 500 and Formula One jewel, the Grand Prix of Monaco, but Columbian Juan Pablo Montoya figures winning his first NASCAR Sprint Cup pole Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway ranks right up there on a list of impressive racing feats.

Certainly, it is another shot of adrenalin for the newly merged Earnhardt-Ganassi operation, which also won the pole position for the season-opening Daytona 500. It's been a big week for owner Chip Ganassi, who's Grand-Am sportscar team won the pole in Virginia and whose IndyCar Series team is coming off a win at Long Beach on Sunday.

"Getting our first pole is big,'' said Montoya, who is driving the No. 42 TUMS-sponsored Chevrolet. "It takes the weight off of everybody's shoulders. It shows where the team is heading. This is pretty cool and hopefully, it is the first of many."

Montoya will start alongside Ford driver Greg Biffle in Sunday's Aaron's 499. His Earnhardt-Ganassi teammate Martin Truex, the Daytona polesitter, will start third. Another Indy 500 winner, Sam Hornish Jr., turned in the best qualifying effort of his brief NASCAR career and will start fourth. Clint Bowyer rounds out the Top 5.

Former Formula One driver Scott Speed was the top qualifying (eighth place) rookie. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start 11th.

Montoya and Talladega seem like an unlikely fit -- NASCAR's only foreign-born driver succeeding at its most All-American of tracks; the series biggest (2.66-miles) and most unpredictable venue (116 lead changes in two races last year).

But Montoya finished third in his stock car debut here in a 2006 ARCA race and was runnner-up in this race last year. He was leading at Talladega's fall 500-miler before getting collected in a late race multi-car accident.

"I really get a kick out of it,'' Montoya said of the restrictor-plate racing at Talladega and Daytona. "It's not about the fastest car, it's about making the right decisions.''

Latest NASCAR Images

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart climbs out of hi race car after qualifying for Sunday's Aarons 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. on Saturday, April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya, of Colombia, talks with reporters after winning the pole for Sunday's Aarons 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., on Saturday, April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya, of Colombia, races during qualifying for Sunday's Aarons 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. on Saturday, April 25, 2009. Montoya won the first pole of his NASCAR career on Saturday (AP Photo/Glenn Smith)

Miss America 2009 Katie Stam, left, poses for a snapshot with driver Tony Stewart during qualifying for Sunday's Aarons 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., on Saturday, April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 3M Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Greg Biffle

Getty Images for NASCAR

TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: (L-R) Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 3M Ford, talks with Matt Kenseth, driver of the #17 DEWALT Ford, during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Greg Biffle;Matt Kenseth

Getty Images for NASCAR

TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming & Resort Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Brad Keselowski

Getty Images for NASCAR

TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Max Papis, driver of the #13 GEICO Toyota, smiles during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Max Papis

Getty Images for NASCAR

TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 25: Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Budweiser Dodge, waits on pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kasey Kahne

Getty Images for NASCAR

Typically drivers don't put a lot of emphasis on qualifying. Starting position at Talladega means very little in forecasting finishing positions because of drafting and the ability to run four- and five-wide.

For that reason, none of the usual favorites -- such as points leader Jeff Gordon, or his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson, were overly concerned about an off-day in qualifying. Gordon will start 14th, Johnson, 36th, the first time he's started outside the top-10 this season. Defending race winner Tony Stewart qualified 29th. All four of the Richard Petty Motorsports cars will have to start from the back of the 43-car field because of engine changes.

"This place is always about being in the right place at the right time,'' said Stewart, who is trying to become the first owner-driver to win in the Cup Series in 11 years.

"You can run your guts out all day and still end up 25th. It doesn't matter," Stewart said. "This is one of those deals you just have to be there at the end. You have to put yourself in a position at the end to be up front. It doesn't matter what happens on lap 20, it doesn't matter what happens on lap 100.''

Montoya seems to have figured that out in his two years of Cup competition and is already considered a favorite in this race.

"We're working to get wins,'' Montoya said. "We're working to get poles, to get noticed, get in to the Chase and be a contender. We're doing that.

"What really helps is building momentum for the team, that goes a long way. Anyone involved with this team is celebrating right now.''