Juan Pablo Montoya has claimed that Martin Truex's departure from the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing will have no affect on his own assault on the end-of-season Chase for the Championship.

The Colombian has climbed into the top twelve in the Cup standings despite the uncertainty surrounding his erstwhile team-mate and, now that Truex has decided to sign with Michael Waltrip Racing for the 2010 season, Montoya wishes him well. However, the former F1 pilot refuses to accept that the move will affect the efforts of his own #42 team.

"Good for him - if he wanted to go, and he thinks he has got more stability at Waltrip's, good for him," Montoya said, "Ourselves, as a team, we have got to look for the good things and the bad things. I think he has too many questions, and tough luck.

"Hopefully, he runs better there than he is here. For us, right now, my focus is not who is going to be my team-mate or whatever. My focus is making the Chase and making sure this team runs good."

by Reid Spencer / Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service