CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - A year ago Juan Pablo Montoya came to Watkins Glen International and left with a victory, ending a streak of 113 NASCAR Sprint Cup races without a victory.

On Thursday the driver was back in New York, only this time he wasn't dealing with the heat of the competition on the racetrack, but rather the heat in the kitchen.

Montoya made his way to the New York Wine and Culinary Center to meet with 18 students who are taking part in a Junior Chef Camp.

"I think this is going to be exciting," Montoya said by phone before the event. "I do enjoy cooking a lot. It's a good way to meet some of the kids. They are going to be the future fans of the sport."

For Montoya, cooking is something that has always interested him and Thursday was a chance to spend some time in a kitchen.

"I think it's cool," he said. "I think it's a cool experience. I like cooking. I like to learn how things are done. I have always wanted to go to cooking school, I just never really got around to it. I have a really good chef in Columbia who comes time to time to my house and cooks. I just really like cooking."

And, Montoya also really likes racing at Watkins Glen, where a year ago he dominated the race, leading 74 laps on his way to the victory.

"I would like to defend my title and get the win there," Montoya said. "It's important for our chase chances. It's a great race track, it brings the best out of drivers."

Montoya knows that Watkins Glen is one of the tracks he most enjoys going to.

"The track is amazing," he said. "It's a great racetrack. It's always fun to be around."

While Montoya knows that he's had success at WGI and he would like to win there again this year, he also knows he has to worry about the other races before he heads to New York next month.

"It's something you always think about," Montoya said of trying to win at Watkins Glen again. "You keep it in the back of your head. But, honestly you go out every week and try and win races. You don't wait six months to try and get wins."

And, Montoya knows there are some other races coming up that he could find success at.

"I think there are a lot of good race tracks coming up for us," he said. "It's important to do my best. But, I have to be smart about it and try and finish well.

"There is a lot of good racing coming up for us. You have got to run smart every week and give yourself the best chance to win."

Sitting in 15th place, Montoya knows it's important to try and win one of these upcoming races if he wants to qualify for the chase this year.

"I think it's really important," he said. "There is still a lot of racing to be done, but it's very important to get a win."

And, after missing out on the chase last year, he knows it would mean a lot to make it this season.

"It would be huge," he said. "The good thing is where we are at. We are in a decent position to get a win and get into the chase with a top 10."

While the going for victories and a spot in the chase is something Montoya worries about every weekend, on Thursday he was enjoying the chance to promote the sport and Watkins Glen.

"It's a cool thing what we are doing," he said. "It's a good way to promote the track. People who have been to the races know what it's about, but it's good to promote it to try and get people to go."

And, after being the driver to help promote Watkins Glen this year, Montoya would also love to be the one celebrating a victory at the track in August.

"If I can come and promote the track and get a win in the same place you promote, that would be great," he said.

(source)