Tag Archives: Juan Pablo Montoya

Update on Michigan International Speedway’s jet dryer driver, Duane Barnes

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Safety workers try to extinguish a fire from a jet dryer after being hit by Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, under caution during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500. Photo credit: Getty Images

A statement was released from Michigan International Speedway regarding jet dryer driver, Duane Barnes:

Michigan International Speedway had three jet dryers and two employees at Daytona International Speedway assisting with Monday’s Daytona 500. The jet dryer driven by Duane Barnes, 52, of Addison, Mich., was hit from behind by #42-Juan Pablo Montoya during a caution. Barnes was released from Halifax Medical Center after a precautionary evaluation by doctors late Monday night. He returned to the racetrack to watch the end of the race. Barnes has worked in the Maintenance Department at Michigan International Speedway for 24 years. He has frequently assisted other International Speedway Corporation-owned racetracks, driving jet dryers at those events. MIS supports other racetracks by sending staff and equipment to events.

Barnes is surprised at the outpouring of well wishes, and thanks everyone for their concern. “I appreciate everyone for taking the time to write, call and ask how I am. I am OK and I am amazed at how many people have wished me well. I am also glad Juan Pablo Montoya is OK, and thank him for his concern,” Barnes said.

Source: Michigan International Speedway Facebook Page

NASCAR on-track altercations hit again at Darlington, but is it good for the sport?

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NASCAR will address altercations that occurred between Ryan Newman and Juan Pablo Montoya in the sanctioning body’s hauler and the dustup on and off the track between Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch.

According to FOX Sports, Newman and officials from Stewart Haas Racing elected to meet with NASCAR immediately after the Richmond race. When the drivers gathered in the hauler on Friday morning, a punch was thrown by Newman, according to sources.

As FOX Sports reported, Harvick door-slammed Busch through Turns 1 and 2. As Busch attempted to drive under the No. 29 Chevrolet on the backstretch, Harvick continued contact and finally punted Busch in Turns 3 and 4. Busch took the high side coming out of Turn 4, taking it three wide with Harvick and Clint Bowyer down the front stretch with the No. 33 getting the worst of the bottleneck. Then Busch sent Harvick into the spin cycle as the pair entered Turn 1.

After the race, Harvick and Busch had a bit of “I’ll copy whatever you do” after a fake move for going onto pit road on Busch’s part. Harvick then followed Busch onto the entrance of pit road, where a member of the No. 29 crew waited to defend his driver – and I would like to mention that I did not see a group of his crew at the car at that point, as reported – or to stop any altercation that may take place. Harvick climbed from the car and approached Busch’s vehicle, and then Busch hit the gas and bumped the No. 29 out of his way and into the wall.

Busch later apologized for making contact with Harvick’s car.

The last time a NASCAR driver intentionally hit another car on pit road was Steven Wallace at Memphis Motorsports Park in October 2009. Wallace was fined $5,000 and placed on probation. I see Kyle Busch getting -hard – at least a double fine for pushing the car on pit road, which is a definite no-no in NASCAR’s rule book: $10,000-$25,000 fine and probabtion for the rest of the year. NASCAR usually takes a day to review everything and issue penalities/fines on Tuesday following a race weekend.

SOURCE: Fox