IndyCar: Montoya says "smart" approach will bring title

Juan Pablo Montoya says that he aims to take a "smart" approach in his attempt to win the Verizon IndyCar Series title.

The Colombian won the opening race in St. Petersburg, and escaped from last weekend's round at Barber Motorsports Park with a slender championship lead still intact despite finishing 14th. His cause on that occasion was helped by closest rival and Penske teammate Helio Castroneves running out of fuel on the final lap.

Montoya told AUTOSPORT that he intends to echo the conservative approach that has been the recent hallmark of the Brazilian's title campaigns.

"You've got to be smart about it," Montoya said. "Helio and I are both pretty smart about that. But you've still got to get the results. You still have to bring home the bacon."

Castroneves has finished runner-up in the championship for the past two years with campaigns based on consistency rather than outright victories: in each of those seasons, he only won one race.

IndyCar returns to the track on Sunday for the promoter test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which will mark the debut of the superspeedway aero kits, followed by the race on the Indy road course next weekend.

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:

Originally on Autosport.com