Montoya to drive NASCAR circuit

Associated Press ^ | 7/9/2006 11:43:06 AM | Associated Press

[Nasher]

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) - Juan Pablo Montoya is leaving the elite Formula One series at the end of the season, bringing star power and international appeal to NASCAR.

The Colombian driver will reunite with team owner Chip Ganassi, with whom he had considerable success in Indy-style racing before moving up to Formula One in 2001.

Montoya joined Ganassi at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday morning, meeting with his new crew members and attending a closed-door meeting with NASCAR president Mike Helton and other series officials.

Ganassi said Montoya will drive the No. 42 car full-time next season, but may enter selected Busch Series this year after he finishes the F1 season with the McLaren-Mercedes team.

''It should be fun,'' Ganassi said. ''Should be great. We've obviously enjoyed some previous success, and that made it a lot easier. We had a very quick negotiation - if you can even call it that. It's nice to have somebody in your car who wants to be there, wants to be with your team, wants to be a part of it.''

[Nasher]

Talk about a shocker. Had heard that he was talking with Chip Ganassi but figured that it was a return to American open wheel racing.

[Jameison]

"Talk about a shocker."

Yep.
I wonder what is behind all this?
Mind you, he never actually won the F-1 championship before, and right now Fernando Alonso looks stronger than ever, and is younger than Montoya.
Maybe Montoya figures he doesn't stand much of a chance of winning the championship in the foreseeable future.
Who knows?

[cripplecreek]

The 36 race season's going to be rough but when he gets used to the cars he might do very well on the road courses.

[H. Paul Pressler IV]

Montoya's entry into NASCAR will be great for the sport.

[NonValueAdded]

"You wrecked my racer, prepare to die." No, wait, that was Inigo Montoya, not Juan Pablo. My bad.

[cripplecreek]

I've always thought Paul Tracy belonged in NASCAR.