Montoya happy after best oval finish

"It was good, the car was amazing and I think this is a big step for me. Mexico was great and everything but I'm really excited right now," the Colombian said after the race.

"I think for me this is probably bigger than winning Mexico, honestly. Mexico, yeah, it was great and everything but you know we do two road courses a year and 34 ovals, so I think this is a big step forward for the team."

Montoya ran higher than eighth in the last 25 laps of the race and found himself come comfortable with his car for most of the race, but having used one more set of new tyres than some of his rivals in practice, he was left with a used set for the last restart.

"I've been complaining a lot to Brad Parrott (his crew chief) saying I want a tight car and it's the first time actually I told him 'you need to free me up a little bit.' And step-by-step it just got freer. The last run we didn't have any tires. We had scrubs and it was just a little bit too tight."

The Ganassi driver believes the Busch race taught him about looking after his tyres ahead of Sunday's Nextel Cup race, in a weekend where tyre management is proving critical.

"I think the tyres, you're going to see the same thing, people wearing the tyres down and stuff. But I think the driver needs to play a little bit of a hand in tyre management.

"It's the same for everybody, whether one thing or another. I didn't think we were going to be as fast as we were today. I think tomorrow is going to be a little bit hotter. The Cup cars are a little bit more edgy so we'll see."

Montoya stated he is focused on trying to secure a good place in the standings in the first five races of the season so that he guarantees himself a place on the grid from the sixth race onwards.

The top 35 in the owner points standings of both Busch and Nextel Cup are awarded that benefit.

"Our goal for the first five races is hopefully to get inside the top 20 and if we can do that it's good for the championship.

"Once you are in a good position for the championship, you don't have to worry about qualifying, then you can start really focusing on making your car more competitive."

Montoya will start from 15th in the Kobalt Tools 500, round number four of the Nextel Cup Series which takes place Sunday.