Quotes of the week

KEVIN HARVICK, NASCAR driver, Richard Childress Racing
"My interpretation is you just got run over. I guess the No. 1 [Truex] ran over the No. 42 … it just all goes up in smoke because some people get impatient. It just seems like [Montoya] runs over someone every week," Harvick said. When asked by television broadcasters what Harvick and Montoya were talking about during the incident, where both drivers were grabbing one another's helmets, Harvick said, "I was talking about kicking his ass, because that's how I felt about him." (Montoya and Harvick got together with less than 20 laps remaining in Centurion Boats at The Glen at Watkins Glen International while both were running in the top 10, and ended up in a shoving match after their cars got banged up.)

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA, NASCAR driver, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
"On the last restart, I went to the inside to defend the #1 car. I guess he didn't like it that I defended him, and he just punted me and he spun me. When he spun me, I went backwards into the #29, and he got out of the car. I came out and said that he hit me from behind. He came over and was disrespectful and said all kinds of things and grabbed me. I don't appreciate that. I race very clean. I give people space. If he's not going to respect me, I'm not going to respect him either. It's pretty disappointing to see a guy like that do such a thing." Montoya said if the incident was his fault, he would take responsibility and apologize.

KATHERINE LEGGE, Champ Car driver, Dale Coyne Racing
"I'm not really looking forward to going to Europe unless we fix it because at the moment, it's just so dire. It's like we're all desperate. We're all scratching our heads. It's really important that we get it sorted before we go over there. I don't want to wreck my reputation over there as well, you know."

SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS, Reigning 3-times Champ Car World Series champion, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing
“I have had the best years of my racing career with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. We have accomplished many things including three championships, and many victories and poles along the way and I hope to accomplish more yet this season. Now I feel it is time for me to go after another challenge. I have had a very good experience with Toro Rosso while testing the car, and I hope to continue that. I would like to thank Carl, Paul, Mike Lanigan and the whole team for supporting my decision. Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing has always been like a family to me. I also want to give a special thanks to the whole McDonald’s crew for everything they have done for me. We have grown up and elevated ourselves together and I’ll never forget that."

DARIO FRANCHITTI, IRL driver, Andretti Green Racing
"Mr. Dallara is a personal friend of mine; I've always been a fan of his," said Franchitti. "He has given us fast cars that are very strong as well. I have to say that the car absorbed all the impact. It is because of that car that I'm sitting here today with just a bruise on my nose. It is just incredible. I have to say that it did its job," he said. "It really saved me. I guess I owe that car a lot." (Commenting about the frightening accident Franchitti had at Michigan International Speedway where he flipped several times, landing upside down, and only ended up with a bruised nose)

BERNIE ECCLESTONE, President and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Association
"It proves that it is not vital for Formula One to be in the United States," said Ecclestone. "It proves that the world has changed a lot and I am really delighted that we are going to Singapore. The circuit is great, a street track in an exotic and really nice location. It is going to look fantastic on television in Europe and I know that everyone in Formula One is really looking forward to the race a lot already. Yeah, it confirms too that there are a lot of other big markets around the world outside Europe and America. That is why we are talking to India too… Some of the circuits in Europe and the way they promote their events show a lot of tiredness and fatigue. They are a bit worn out now. Europe has become a bit third world by comparison and so have some other places. Nobody believed the American government will cough up money for Formula One. Anyway, why should we race in America for half the money we can get elsewhere?"

RON DENNIS, Team Principal, McLaren Mercedes Formula One team
Ron Dennis said the situation at McLaren this year is "worse" than his struggle to control the loathing shared in the past by Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. "There didn't used to be the internet," he said. "The only thing I need now is some peace, to get home and to have a good glass of wine. I am sixty years old," he smiled wryly. "I will continue to operate a team with specific values," he said, also hinting that other teams are probably feeding the rumors to take advantage of a tumultuous period for McLaren. He added: "If anybody does not want to respect them, they know what to do. Our drivers have contracts and we hope that they fulfill them, because we certainly intend to."