Montoya says 2016 “as frustrating as I can remember”

The Colombian currently sits 12^th in points, despite having won the season-opener at St. Petersburg, while his teammates are 1-2-3 in the championship.

Commenting on his prospects this weekend, the Colombian – who was runner-up in last year’s championship – said: “Pocono has been good to us the last couple of years. We won in 2014 and were on the podium last year.

“I hope it brings some good luck. The Penske Truck Rental team definitely needs some of that right now.

“This season has been as frustrating as I can remember. We've had a good car pretty much everywhere, but not getting the results for one reason or another.

“Pocono is a great track for IndyCar with a lot of opportunities to make things happen. It would be nice to finish the season strong."

The 41-year-old has also rejected rumors that his desire is slipping. He told IndyCar.com this week: “I would love to know who says that. I’ve heard it, too. 

“It’s kind of annoying because I feel like I’m driving better than I have since I came back [to IndyCar in 2014]. Things just haven’t gone my way.

“Last year, whatever we did was the right thing. This year, I think my speed is way better. We just haven’t had a single break.”  

Penske teammates confident for Pocono

Montoya’s eagerness to win this weekend is shared by Helio Castroneves, who despite lying third in the title race, has not won an IndyCar race since June 2014.

The three-time Indy 500 winner said: “The Hitachi Chevy team really needs a good result at Pocono. Other than last year, we've had good finishes there. The car has always been strong and I don't expect anything different this year.

“It's important that we keep pace with the guys in front of us and pick up some ground if we can.”

Those guys, his Team Penske teammates Simon Pagenaud and Will Power, are approaching the Pennsylvanian tri-oval with confidence.

Said championship leader Pagenaud: “The track was designed with these cars in mind [and] the racing produces a lot of passing and lead changes. It's very similar to Indianapolis in many ways.

“I like the gains we've made in our oval-racing program. Pocono suits our team very well and it will be a very competitive race."

Commented Power, who lies 58 points adrift of Pagenaud after being beaten by him at Mid-Ohio: “The Verizon team is ready for Pocono. We have a lot of momentum right now and it's a track where we've had some good performances.

“We're in the championship hunt and that's all I could ask for at this point after missing the first race. The whole team has worked so hard to get ourselves back in it. We just need to finish strong."