| Two of the most talked about stories coming into | | | | Sorenson, Kasey Kahne and Sterling Marlin. He has |
| the 2007 NASCAR season involved drivers who were | | | | two top tens and one top five so far this season. In |
| looking at making a new statement in racing. Michael | | | | the Busch series Montoya ranks 9th in the points and |
| Waltrip and his three car Toyota team were looking | | | | has three top tens. The jewel of Montoya's 2007 |
| to take Toyota to the top of NASCAR. Juan Pablo | | | | season so far has to be his Busch series win in |
| Montoya, a successful driver at many levels of racing | | | | Mexico. |
| now was embarking on his initial season in NASCAR | | | | Although Montoya has not won on the 2007 Nextel |
| with lots of experts predicting a quick learning curve | | | | Cup circuit, he has been sniffing around waiting for his |
| and success of the ovals of NASCAR. So far in 2007 | | | | opportunity. I said before the season Montoya would |
| these two drivers appear to be heading in different | | | | win a race and it still could happen with a little luck. |
| directions. | | | | There is no doubt he is a great driver and as he sees |
| Waltrip's season has been anything but a success. | | | | these tracks for the second and third times he |
| Until racing in Saturday's Nextel Open Waltrip's only | | | | should be even more competitive. |
| racing in 2007 had been at the Daytona 500 or in | | | | Two drivers, one new to the grind of NASCAR, one |
| practice or qualifying. Waltrip has failed to qualify his | | | | that has been around the block a few times. Both |
| Toyota Camry in ten consecutive races. At this point | | | | with great resumes of racing, one seemingly heading |
| in the season Waltrip actually has negative driver's | | | | the right direction, and one trying to stop the |
| points in the standings as a result of an illegal | | | | bleeding. This is one of the reasons NASCAR is that |
| substance found in his fuel at Daytona. His crew chief | | | | ever evolving soap opera of racing. Two stories to |
| and team manager were suspended and his crew | | | | keep your eye on for the remainder of 2007. |
| chief David Hyer eventually quit the team altogether. | | | | The Week That Was |
| Waltrip tries to stay positive. He puts most of the | | | | After a 12 year absence veteran NASCAR drive John |
| blame for his own struggles on the fact he is trying | | | | Andretti qualified for the Indy 500. Andretti qualified |
| to keep a three car team using new equipment | | | | 24th for the May 27 race. Andretti's best finish at |
| together. Running a three car team for an established | | | | Indy is 5th in 1991. |
| team is hard enough, for Waltrip and his new | | | | Dale Earnhardt Jr was docked 100 points and his |
| Toyota's it has been too much. | | | | crew chief Tony Eury was suspended for six races |
| Juan Pablo Montoya has been trying to do everything | | | | after his car was found to have improperly mounted |
| the right way in his first NASCAR season. Montoya | | | | brackets on his car following the Darlington race. |
| has been making his way through the first part of | | | | Bill Elliott returns. Elliott begins a race to race deal with |
| the NASCAR season and has had moments of | | | | the Wood Brothers team beginning with this week's |
| success. The rookie driver sits 21st in the Nextel | | | | Coca Cola 600. |
| Points race, ahead of such drivers like Reed | | | | |