JPM

Juan Pablo Montoya's victory in Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Infineon Raceway is the latest addition to his already outstanding list of achievements. A recap:

- Champion of the 1998 F3000 Series (4 wins);
- ­Champion of the 1999 CART FedEx Championship Series (10 victories between 1999 and 2000);
- Winner of the 84th Indianapolis 500 in 2000 (His only appearance in then Indy Racing League Series);
- Winner of 7 Formula One races between 2001 and 2005 (Including victories at Monza, Monte Carlo, Hockenheim and Silverstone; Third in the Championship standings in 2002 and 2003);
- Overall winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2007; and
- Winner of the Busch Series race at Mexico City in 2007, and more to come for sure.

His victory this past Sunday has made him the second driver ever (besides Mario Andretti) to have won in Formula One, the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR series.

Known for his Latin temperament and impatience on the track, his victory at the Infineon Raceway shows that he has finally come of age. With his Dodge low on fuel in the final laps and still chasing Kevin Harvick and Jamie McMurray, Montoya's deft use of gears and braking allowed him to save enough fuel to catch and overtake both of them, while not having to make a splash-and-dash in the pits. In the process, he has become just the second non-US driver to win a race in the NASCAR series (Canadian Earl Ross was the first when he won the Old Dominion 500 in 1974).

Remember, he started the race in 32nd position.

While he is still prone to crashes and outrageous overtaking moves (witness his clash with teammate Scott Pruett in Mexico City), this is just his first full season in NASCAR nevertheless. He still has lots to learn, but all signs show that he's picking them up quickly.

With a win under his belt, he has now become the odds-on favourite to win the NASCAR Nextel Cup at the Glen on August 12. And don't be surprised to see him come out on top again in this famous road course.