Montoya's optimism does not include Indy repeat (cont'd)

The organization has struggled mightily this season. Entering this Sunday's event, Montoya was 20th in points with only two top-10 finishes. Teammate Reed Sorenson was 32nd with two top-10 finishes.

Montoya and Sorenson began the season with a third teammate, former open-wheel star and defending Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti in the No. 40 Dodge. But Ganassi pulled the plug on that team after less than half the season, citing poor performance and lack of sponsorship dollars that he said was dragging down his other two teams.

Montoya seconded that motion on Friday.

"It was hard because the focus of the [organization] was making sure that No. 40 car made the race every week," Montoya said. "That was the main goal of the company -- just making sure that car could get back in the top 35. And a lot of the money was being put into the running of that car, because that car was not fully funded.

"I was like, 'Hello? I'm here.' So it was frustrating. ... I think the company understands a little bit more now. And I think we will get better."

Montoya said he remains 100 percent committed to helping Ganassi turn the Sprint Cup program around.

Asked if watching Tony Stewart and others switch teams and manufacturers recently has made him wonder what he might be able to do in better equipment, he quickly issued a one-word answer: "No."

But Montoya did later add: "I'll tell you the truth. If I wanted to leave and I went to Chip and said I wanted to go, I think he would probably let me go. That's the kind of relationship we have. But as long as he is committed to this, I'm committed to this."

Asked how he could be sure that team can improve its performance, Montoya bristled.

"We freakin' better. And Chip is on the same page," Montoya said. "It's this simple: there are two ways to look at it -- we either change it around or he's going to be looking to close it and I'll be looking to drive somewhere else, because this is a business. If you don't get performance, you're not going to get anything else. I think we are going to get better. It's not going to happen overnight, but I think we are going to get better."