ESPN Sprint Cup

ESPN.com preseason rank: No. 20

2009 Outlook

Chip Ganassi's decision to merge with Dale Earnhardt Inc. will benefit this former open-wheel star more than anybody. Montoya finally has a proven teammate in Martin Truex Jr. to lean on and supply him with the information it takes to achieve consistency.

The biggest challenge for this team, joked crew chief Brian Pattie, is "learning everyone's name."

"It really isn't challenging, but different," Pattie said of the merger. "Everyone we have is talented, hard-working people, so overall it's going to be great for the organization as a whole."

Pattie believes Montoya can win, starting with the Daytona 500, where he'll be disappointed with a finish outside the top five.

The switch from Dodge to Chevrolet could be a huge boost in horsepower, and Montoya is as dangerous as anybody with power.

"It doesn't feel that much different, but the lap times are faster," Montoya said after qualifying for the 500. "I'll take that any day."

What Montoya needs, though, is consistency. Three top-10s and 14 laps led won't put him in position to make the Chase.

2008 Review

Many predicted last season would be a breakout year for Montoya after he finished 14th in points and won a race during his rookie season. Instead the Colombian-born driver went backward, failing to visit Victory Lane and falling to 25th.

The season didn't start off horribly. Montoya was 12th in points after finishing second at Talladega nine races into the season. Then came a 32nd at Richmond and four finishes of 30th or worse in six races, and he never was a factor again.

He has a shot at the title if: Half a dozen drivers ahead of him have poor seasons. Honestly, as much potential as he has, Montoya hasn't put together enough good races in a row to warrant making the Chase, much less contend for a championship.

He won't win the title because: See above. As much improved as Montoya's cars should be with the merger, as impressive as his statistics were in open-wheel cars, he's still only two seasons into his Cup career.

-- David Newton