Dear Juan,
Well, you’ve officially left the NASCAR world. I hope you remember us kindly as you return to the seat of an IndyCar for the first time since 2000 when you test at Sebring this week. It was a few months ago you shocked many when announcing not only to be leaving Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing but NASCAR altogether for Ganassi’s rival, Penske Racing in the IndyCar Series.
We understand, you came from the open wheel world where you captured a CART championship and then Indianapolis 500. Now you head back to your bread and butter, where you’re most comfortable, where you get it and can succeed.
It’d be harsh to say you were a failure in NASCAR. It just never clicked; you weren’t as consistent or successful as everyone – including yourself – had hoped. After seven years, two career wins and one Chase appearance, I applaud you for acknowledging you were “done sucking” as you eloquently put it, and for making a personal decision for your career.
It’s both a gain for IndyCar and a loss for NASCAR. Let’s face it, you were one of a kind because we never knew what you were going to say and do next. From the moment you arrived in the NASCAR world, your presence was felt.
I’m sure you remember – or perhaps you don’t want to – that your first Cup start in 2006 ended in a ball of fire at Homestead. From there you became a ball of fire, taking on the giants like Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick. Let’s pause for a moment, that’s still a bit shocking.
How many people have gone toe-to-toe with either driver? And certainly none have shoved Harvick around like you did at Watkins Glen in 2008. Give respect where respect is due.
See, it was obvious that you weren’t intimidated by anyone. Teammates included. It made you fearless on the track and a quote machine off it. Some of the best lines of the past few seasons came from you when asked directly about situations and other drivers.
It still brings chuckles when reading an interview you did back in 2006 when you openly said when coming to NASCAR that you preferred the American way of living compared to where you were coming from. That you “rather have a hot dog than caviar.”
Admittedly, that’s one of the best quotes I’ve heard. When you wrecked with teammate Jamie McMurray at Las Vegas a few years ago, you mocked him during an interview and said he wasn’t doing himself any favors on the team. One of my favorite memories is that after allegedly being punched by Ryan Newman you reportedly said that Newman hits like a girl.
NASCAR needed and still needs the personality and loaded resume you bring Juan.
But unfortunately besides the entertainment value, you weren’t able to deliver on the track. Wasn’t for a lack of trying though, your talent is undeniable. Now, you could have and should have won Indianapolis a few times but threw it away.
Famously thanking NASCAR “for totally screwing my day” and swore on “my children and my wife” that you weren’t speeding. Most of us were ready to write that story: former Indianapolis 500 winner comes to NASCAR and wins the Brickyard 400. I’m sure you thought it was going to happen, too.
There were also times you could wrestle that Target car with the best of ‘em at tough tracks like Martinsville. You really loved the high-banked tracks like Bristol and Dover.
An oval win never materialized for you unfortunately, but there were flashes of brilliance. Which famously included one giant flash of fire at Daytona in 2012. It’ll be a moment that you might be remembered for, the first driver to slam into a jet dryer and set it ablaze.
Jet fuel then streamed down the high banks in turn three and also lit ablaze. The race had to be red flagged for repairs. Something had broken on your car and took the wheel of out your control and away you went spinning.
There’s something to be said about a driver who takes out a jet dryer. But you amazingly made it happen. Call yourself the real life Cole Trickle, hitting everything and the jet dryer.
Juan, you’re a character and one hell of a driver, just a shame that you couldn’t find more success in stock cars.
It’s rare though, not many have done it. Your counterparts like Dario Franchitti came to NASCAR and turned around and went back to IndyCar. It’s taken some time but Sam Hornish Jr. finally seems to be getting the NASCAR thing now.
Your once rival, Stewart came from open wheel and has become a NASCAR Hall of Famer. There’s no telling what you might have been capable of if your talent was unleashed when put in the right situations.
Instead we’re left to wonder and reflect on a NASCAR career and a portion of your racing life that seems incomplete. Yet, it has the brightest future in one of the most successful rides in the IndyCar Series today.
So yes, Juan, you are definitely done sucking. Now we’re preparing ourselves to see you run wild on the turf that was once yours, quieting those who only believe you’re good at tearing up sheet metal.
So, good luck and have fun. Just don’t forget us over here in the stock car world. We certainly won’t forget you. And hope someday you might come back and give it another shot.
Thanks for seven years of memories, from all your friends in NASCAR Nation.