Juan Montoya has the pole for todays race in Pocono Pennsylvania

Although he has been most well known for fireworks off the track in incidents with other drivers, and for a firey crash at Daytona to start the year, Montoya has been pretty quiet so far this year.  Not having won a pole since Richmond in April of 2011, he surprised even himself with the pole in Pocono for the Pennsylvania 400.  With his last win in NASCAR coming at a road course, Watkins Glen in 2008, Montoya has been working to achieve more consistant results, and being patient for that next win, or any win on an oval, to show that he is more than just an aggressive road course driver.

We know were working in the right direction, we know were working hard, we feel the cars are getting a little better, Montoya said, but to go out there and get a pole I just went through the hauler and all the engineers, theyre all happy and laughing. Im used to long faces, a lot of long faces, a lot of stressful faces. We needed something like this as a company. This is big for us.

I think were quite a ways away from as a company where we want to get to, he said. We want to be able to come every weekend knowing you can beat a Hendrick, beat a Gibbs. Thats our goal.

Montoya knows he was as unlikely as any driver to win the pole.

If you told me this morning I was going to be sitting on the pole, Id say, `pfff, he said. I thought we were going to be OK. I thought wed be 12-15. And were sitting on the pole.

I know tomorrow is going to be a reality check, Montoya said. Im really open-minded about tomorrow. But lets enjoy today.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. will Start 8th today and has the points lead for the first time since 2004.

Following on of his most consistent season of his career so far, Dale Earnhardt Jr is atop the leader board this weekend after taking the points lead at the Brickyard.  Running well for the entire race, his points position drastically improved when a late race incident with the 17 of Matt Kenseth ended with a 36 place finish, while Jr. finished in 4th allowing for a 32 point gain and the top of the board.

I think a lot of people downplay it, Earnhardt said of being the points leader. I think it means the same to the other drivers, probably, but they downplay it obviously because the guys that are saying that may find themselves in the points lead or battling for it more often than I have been. Its been a long time since I was in the points lead. Its been forever I cant even recall the last time we were in the conversation for the championship. These things are really validating the effort and the work weve done.

After dealing with the pressure of a long drought, Jr finally got the monkey off his back in the June race in Michigan, and he has been showing even more confidence each week since then.  His relationship with Steve Letarte has been under constant watch by the fans who were unsure that it would bring results, but moving forward, Jr has been more consistent than at any other point in his career.

We worked hard, and we found some speed, he said. Weve been having those type of deals all year long where were working hard, and there are some gains that are made. Ive worked my tail off most of my career for little gains or, at times, no gains. So this year its been awesome to go to the race track on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, and work with Steve, and come away really happy with what happened. The points lead is sort of the symbolic piece to all that effort. The points lead recognizes all that hard work, for me.

Knowing that the points lead with shuffle when the chase begins a mere 6 races after this weekend, Jr knows he needs to get at least one more win to take some pressure off his championship hopes for this year.

Were running well, but we need to win more races. We need to show up and be the fastest car more often, he said. Weve been quick, but in my opinion weve been the fastest guy only once or twice this year, and I dont know if thats good enough. Im going to say its not good enough. I know our team would like to win more races, and to be able to contend for the championship, our team needs another 10-15 percent.

A.J. Allmendinger will be without a ride after being released by Penske Racing earlier this week.

Finally, after weeks of drama, A.J. Allmendinger was released from Penske racing earlier in the week.  After failing a random drug test administered by NASCAR, and having his B-test fail as well, Allmendinger has entered the road to recovery program provided by NASCAR in hopes of returning to the track as soon as possible.  After his apology to fans and to his sponsors, Roger Penske released him form his contract and has put Sam Hornish Jr in the number 22 for the forseeable future.

Penske Racing fully supports NASCARs substance abuse policy, and we are disappointed with AJs positive drug test results, Roger Penske said. AJ is a terrific driver, a good person and it is very unfortunate that we have to separate at this time. We have invested greatly in AJ and we were confident in his success with our team. The decision to dismiss him is consistent with how we would treat any other Penske Racing team member under similar circumstances. As AJ begins NASCARs Road to Recovery program, we wish him the best and look forward to seeing him compete again in NASCAR.

A.J. himself made a statement that echos the sentiment of his former team.

Effective today, I have been released from Penske Racing as driver of the No. 22 Dodge Charger, Allmendinger said in a statement. I wish to thank Mr. Penske, Penske Racing, their sponsors, and especially all the of the No. 22 team for the opportunity they provided me and for their support in this difficult time. I also, again, would like to thank all the fans that really have been awesome through this. I apologize for the distraction, embarrassment, and difficulties that my current suspension from NASCAR has provided. As I stated last week, I have begun NASCARs Road to Recovery program and look forward to using those resources and its completion to compete again in NASCAR in the near future.

It is going to be interesting to see if Allmendinger is able to return to NASCAR.  While everyone likes a comback story, in this sponsor driven world where image is everything, it may be hard for A.J. to find a ride of the caliber of the one he just lost, which was also the best of his career so far.

Related posts:

1. NASCAR Biffle Holds the Points Lead and Takes The Pole Heading Into Bristol
2. NASCAR Edwards Takes Vegas, Stewart Has a Late Race Pit Stumble But Ties For First in Points Lead
3. NASCAR Allmendinger Wins the Pole At Kansas, Engine Trouble for Logano Moves Him to the Back of the Field
4. NASCAR Stewart Makes it 2 For 2 in Championship Chase and Takes the Points Lead in the Standings
5. NASCAR Kyle Busch Wins in Richmond, Earnhardt Jr Takes Second on Track and in Points

Ah, the Porsche Cayenne … Vehicle highly criticized by purists when it was introduced. But nine years later, here it is more appreciated. A he forget his arrival controversial? Certainly, we can not blame the manufacturer for not having done his homework since the Cayenne has, since its inception, while the DNA of Porsche, including the invoice salt. But there is an SUV that matures, year after year.

 The redesign of the past year has probably been the most beneficial to the interior of the Porsche Cayenne 2012. Taking place on board, we discover a rich environment where the level of sophistication surprises at every turn. The number of buttons and controls located on the center console could confuse any amateur. Moreover, the manufacturer has had the excellent idea to give all the ergonomics and style of the Panamera. And what style! However, it has retained the grab handles on each side of the console element that bridges with earlier versions.

Affordable prestige Porsche Cayenne 2012

Story to appeal to a wider audience, the Porsche Cayenne 2012 is available in different flavors. This is unquestionably the model with the 3.6-liter V6 engine that makes 300 horsepower the more followers. This Cayenne whose base price is similar to what the competition offers and allows you to ride in a vehicle scratched the prestigious Porsche logo at lower cost. With its eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, it offers the best fuel economy. In return, you should not expect the performance of the foreground, but for many, this is sufficient.

 When considering the price / performance ratio, the more interesting choice is unquestionably the Cayenne S with a 4.8-liter V8 developing 400 horsepower. Combined with the eight-speed box, this engine from 0-100 km / h in a respectable 6.8 seconds. For those who want to play in the major leagues, the Cayenne Turbo with its 500-horsepower twin-turbo V8 offers the ultimate in performance and exclusivity this year at Porsche.

For more power Porsche Cayenne 2012

History compensate for the loss of the Cayenne Turbo S, the 550 horsepower and the exorbitant price exceeding $ 150,000 in an SUV were out of the ordinary, the manufacturer offers this year a group that is attached to the Cayenne Turbo and bringing its power to 540 horses. Furthermore some adjustments to the electronics of the motor, this set of options comprises two turbos new more effective with fins and titanium to a higher pressure. There is however likely that Turbo S version will be back in the lineup soon.

Cayenne green Porsche Cayenne 2012

For 2012, the Cayenne hybrid is still in the catalog. It has similar performance Cayenne S for a slightly higher price. In terms of mechanics, it has a V6 engine with 333 horsepower air which, combined with an electric motor 34 kw, develops a total power of 380 horsepower, released instantaneously.

 If your journey is made up of several sections of city or area congestion, this model could be a sensible choice, since its fuel consumption in the city is much smaller than the Cayenne S: 8.7 l/100 km compared to 14.5 l/100 km. This hybrid technology is also very effective. During our test, we were able to reach a speed of about 60 km / h using only the electric motor. For 2012, Porsche Cayenne 2012 has made some changes to its hybrid system. It is now possible to operate in electric mode during a cold start, whereas before we had to wait until the engine has reached its operating temperature.

 Despite its invoice salt and the exorbitant price of options, few offer SUV driving as exciting as the Porsche Cayenne 2012.

Porsche Cayenne 2012

Firstly, you must know that this Volvo C70 2012 with or without roof meet strong opponents: BMW 3 Series, Audi A5, Infiniti G and Lexus IS. Admit we’ve seen price competition! Volvo but was caul to appear belligerent towards these cars. Anyway, after two turns of the wheel, you will understand why. We will return.

Last year, in order to present a more up to date and comply with the corporate style of Volvo, the Swedish brand, now Chinese (Geely) has redesigned the front so it is more consistent with those of the XC60 crossover and the S60 sedan. We also took the opportunity to improve the quality of some materials.

What does the future hold?….Volvo C70 2012

When we consider the withdrawal of the S40 sedan and its counterpart family, the V50 of our market, and we know that the coupe / convertible C70 from the same platform as these, it is very fortunate to be more access! Volvo is known, was purchased in 2010 by Geely. At first we did not know where went the Chinese brand with Volvo, but it seems she has a serious desire to invade the U.S. market. However, the number of models sold by Volvo in America could fall to better target products that work well here (S60 sedan, XC60 and XC90 crossover, for example). In this context, we meet again one C70 next year?

The Volvo C70 2012 will be understood, is not very athletic. She pers, by far, the long straight roads and boulevards of Los Angeles or Miami, even if it displays a fine balance in curves taken a little faster. Obviously, suspensions per comfort. The chassis of this coupé / cabriolet is rigid when the roof is in place, but it feels when bending down. This is somewhat surprising, given that Volvo vehicles are generally among the strongest in the industry.

Two personalities … but not bipolar!

As is often the case with coupes / convertibles, the Volvo C70 2012 has two personalities, as the cabin roof cap or is stored in the trunk. In the first case, we do not think driving a convertible car. The hardtop isolates ambient noise, and most importantly, it ensures greater rigidity to the chassis. About 30 seconds after pressing a button that triggers a still impressive hydraulic sweeper and the roof is stored in the trunk.

However, the roof is stored or not, nobody can deny that Volvo C70 2012 produces arguably the best seats in the industry. They are comfortable, hold well in the curves, support all parts of our anatomy as if a laser measured, to our knowledge, our body and asked the chair to be adjusted as a surgical glove. Even after a journey of several hours without stops, I never felt the slightest fatigue break.

Since we at Volvo, the safety level is very high. For example, as it was impossible to insert cushions the head of the people sitting in the front, engineers have planned they would be placed in the doors and they would deploy up. Well thought out!

The Volvo C70 2012 is still among us. More bourgeois sport, this car has not, however, flawless reliability and maintenance costs are generally very high.

Volvo C70 2012