August 10th, 2010 
Journo Before I begin, I just really need to get this off my chest…I told you so.
For the last week some in the NASCAR media have been trying to turn fleeting anger between Juan Pablo Montoya and Brian Pattie into the feud of the century…the ‘beginning of the end?’ some asked. I think Sunday proved how wrong that was.
Now the storyline is that this win has repaired that rift. Convenient how some are able to craft this story to make it look like they were right all along.
The truth is, if any rift existed in the first place, that win probably wouldn’t have occurred. Chemistry is a delicate and important thing in racing, and when it’s off, or not working, wins don’t happen. This wasn’t the first time JPM has been angry at Brian Pattie, and lets be honest, it won’t be the last.
These ‘much ado about nothing’ storylines have plagued EGR over the last few seasons. It’s true there have been struggles, and layoffs. And things haven’t always been peachy in Concord, Indianapolis or Pittsburgh. But the dire predictions haven’t generally matched up with reality.
And now Chip Ganassi and his organization are proving that.
For most in motorsports, success is very cyclical. Sometimes you’re on top, sometimes you’re not. Such is the case with Ganassi and EGR. It was not so long ago they were laying off a third of the organization, and were at best a well funded back marker.
Today, EGR is a three time winner in 2010 - a distinction that puts them just behind Gibbs and Hendrick on the season - and consistently competitive (though the Chase is not likely this season).
In a sport dominated by massive teams they’re an anomaly among their peers. I saw someone had been trying to bring the term ’boutique team’ to the lexicon to describe EGR. It’s not a bad description – they’re small, efficient and good quality. It hasn’t really caught on, but it was a valiant effort.
Spend much time around this sport, or really any sport and it’s interesting to see how things change, evolve and grow (or flop). Yesterday’s titans are tomorrow’s old news. From the depths of two years ago when some were predicting the end of CGR to where they are today, EGR is on the upswing of this cycle, and Chip Ganassi is a very happy man.
As the great Mark Twain said, “rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.”
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Just IMO from my TV viewers perspective, but I still did not see the love in either JPM or BP interview. BP admitted Indy was his fault, but not Pocono (which btw I agree w/). If I remember right, JPM didn’t exactly shout praise for BP personally for his Glen calls, but the team in general. Again, just IMO!
One thing I did notice in the interviews is that CG apparently took the bulls by the horns and explained to them how he expected them to collaborate.
Obviously it worked and even though EGR doesn’t make the Chase this year it looks like they’re far from done for the season. Should make for some good viewing!
Journo, I gotta disagree somewhat with you here.
I will agree that the media hypes rivalries and feuds to an almost WWE level, which I dislike.
However, like Neon said- I saw very little love between the two. JPM’s congrats after taking the checkered seemed between clinched teeth.
Something didn’t seem right to me. Just my opinion.
Sorry, forgot to add:
This win took JPM into 19th place. He’s better than that. They’re going to end up way outside the Chase, and I think in the offseason something will be done.
He still has to win on ovals. It’s not his crew chief. He’s his own worst enemy.
I have to disagree a bit with hose who say JPM was congratulating through clenched teeth—it sounded more like relief to me. Now, I think JPM is always a hard driver to please (as Ron Dennis knows), but he seemed genuinely contrite and happy for Brian. I don’t remember if it made the telecast, but the first thing JPM said after he crossed the line was “Congratulations Brian, you deserve this more than ANYBODY!” And in the post-race press conference, he repeatedly referred to the race as the “first win” before catching himself and clarifying that he meant “the first win for Brian”.