Montoya's win a relief for many

Charlotte | There was so much buildup for Juan Pablo Montoya's first

NASCAR road race, he knew only a victory would satisfy his critics.

So when he crossed the finish line for his first Nextel Cup win, Montoya couldn't help but feel relieved.

"So many people thought I would win. It didn't really matter if I thought I would win. Because, yes, we were going to try, but a lot of people just thought it was automatic," Montoya said of Sunday's win at Infineon Raceway.

"So when it was over, I was just so, so relieved that it was like taking pressure off my shoulders. It was a really big thing for me."

Considered one of the world's best road racers, Montoya knew he was expected to put on a show at the winding course in Sonoma, Calif.

Few took into account that Montoya's still learning stock cars, that his Chip Ganassi Racing team lags behind NASCAR's elite organizations and that victories can be few and far between in NASCAR.

Consider that Montoya's win:

n Was the first Nextel Cup victory for car owners Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates since Octobe r 2002.

n Was the first win for crew chief Donnie Wingo since he led Geoff Bodine to a 1993 win in Sonoma.

n Sent Sponsor Texaco/Havoline back to Victory Lane for the first time since Ricky Rudd won at Sonoma in 2002.

n Was the first win for the No. 42 since Joe Nemechek drove it to a 1999 victory at New Hampshire.

Montoya's victory was his first in 17 Nextel Cup starts and marks his first finish higher than 20th since placing eighth at Texas on April 15. There's no denying the switch from Formula One to stock cars has been difficult, and the Montoyas are increasing their commitment by relocating to the Charlotte area.

They've been based in Miami for years, and Montoya was adamant that he wouldn't move to NASCAR's hub. But his wife, Connie, recently suggested they should consider it, so he's looking for a second home.

"I never thought I would get a place in Charlotte, and the wife, normally we wouldn't move," he said. "But Connie said we need to move, she said 'We need to stop running 20th every week.' We will still be based in Miami, but I am going to start spending a bit more time in Charlotte.

"I think it will be best to help drive the team forward, to be around for support and to show how much this means to us."

Although he's 21st in the points and has struggled at times on the track, Montoya is having a fabulous year that started with a victory in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona road race, a Busch Series win at the road course in Mexico City and now the Cup win. He's now the third driver - joining Mario Andretti and Dan Gurney - to win in Formula One, IndyCar and NASCAR.

But the tough times at Darlington, Dover and Michigan have been humbling for a driver who has won the Indianapolis 500, the Monaco Grand Prix and a CART Championship.

"This isn't easy stuff, but I never thought it would be," Montoya said. "We've been working so hard lately, and the last few races were tough. So this is a good step. I mean, I was definitely going to try to win in my first year.

"I am very happy we got a win, but there's so much more work to be done."