Montoya in NASCAR Nextel Cup 2007

[dougiemeats]

I'm watching the Speed News Special Report right now, and Chip Ganassi Racing has signed Juan Pablo Montoya for Nextel Cup racing next year.

Wow.

I was surprised about Villenueve thinking about NASCAR, but I didn't see this one coming. Will we see two Formula 1 drivers in Nextel Cup next year?

Edit: Here's the first article I've found: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/28230/

 

[FuryX21]

Yea, its a big, big surprise. I just got finished watching the press conference on SPEED channel. He said that he wants to go to NASCAR because he knows its a challenge and wants to "get back to racing." This will be good for NASCAR, helping bring in a more diverse audience.

 

[Diego440]

... and even better for F1 to be rid of Montoya 👍

 

[Brett]

Definitely a little bit of a surprise, though not too big of one since JPM was struggling to find any offers in F1. Hopefully we will get to see JPM in some of the other Chip Ganassi cars if his Nextel Cup schedule does not conflict with the other races.

 

[TS]

👍 Another great thing for NASCAR.

 

[Lee]

That's a shame, an actual overtaking driver gone, always kept an eye on him since his debut F1 season in 2001, I shall miss him personally.

 

[Jordan]

WOW, I'm so shocked and never in a million years would have guessed that was coming! Montoya is one of those drivers who, to me, has "always" been in F1, as he was just "up and coming" when I first got interested in the series. It's almost hard to imagine him not racing...wow...

 

[Kylehnat]

Didn't see that one coming! He did enjoy driving Jeff Gordon's car that one time though... It will be good to have him back racing in the U.S. again, since he likes to speak his mind, and F1 sponsors don't particularily encourage that.

 

[red70mach1]

I wouldn't want to blame both Jaques and Juan Pablo. If they can't find another competitive ride; try another racing series.

 

[VNAF Ace]

Boogity! Boogity! Boogity! Let's go racing!

I can't wait to see how Montoya does against Gordon and Stewart.

 

[Kylehnat]

It will probably take him a while to get used to this sort of racing. The races are much longer, and he'll have to learn to use the words "tight", "loose", and "wedge". No matter though. Tony Stewart made the move from open wheel racing to NASCAR, and it worked out okay for him.

 

[dougiemeats]

I wonder what kind of reception he will receive from the NASCAR fans. I don't expect him to be too successful during the 2007 season, but I'm certain he will do what it takes to win races in the seasons after.

Maybe we'll see him racing for Chip Ganassi in sportscars?

 

[Small_Fryz]

Remember montoya did race the indy cars, so he would be used to some oval racing.

Its sad to see him go, but why race in F1 if you cant get a decent team. Montoya tries to make F1 exciting by overtaking when its not really possible and he does a great job. I dont think he gets the credit he deserves. Good luck to him in Nascar.

 

[Blake]

Wow, I was expecting him in IRL or Champcar next year, but NASCAR? Now that’s a bit of a suprise! It’s a shame too, because there are plenty of less deserving drivers who will be racing in decent cars next year, and it’s dissapointing to see a good talent like JPM leave the sport.

Oh well, bring on Hamilton!

 

[Andrew R]

That was unexpected. I thought he'd drop into the Indy cars at least. Not NASCAR. Good luck to him.

 

[Revolution.]

Thats a pity. He was indeed a great F1 driver.

 

[STLbarcelona5]

It will probably take him a while to get used to this sort of racing. The races are much longer, and he'll have to learn to use the words "tight", "loose", and "wedge".

I just can't wait for the first road course next season. That will probably be the first time I will ever, willingly, watch a NASCAR race. This will be . . . interesting.

Some other articles:

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/nascar/28268/
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5923-2263455,00.html
http://www.jayski.com/teams/42.htm

 

[Kylehnat]

That was unexpected. I thought he'd drop into the Indy cars at least. Not NASCAR. Good luck to him.

He already raced and won in IndyCars, so if he was looking for a new challenge, NASCAR isn't that surprising of a choice. It's also the most lucrative racing series in the United States.

 

[TeamLosiRacer]

I am really surprised by all this. Its a bit of a shame to see him go, I really dont want to see his career in F1 be over so soon. I wish him luck in the future. Its just a shame to see him go.

 

[Brett]

I just can't wait for the first road course next season. That will probably be the first time I will ever, willingly, watch a NASCAR race. This will be . . . interesting.

Some other articles:

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/nascar/28268/
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5923-2263455,00.html
http://www.jayski.com/teams/42.htm

The road races are the only races on the NASCAR schedule that I would even really care to watch each year.

 

[Small_Fryz]

Who can blame him though. F1 atm is stupid, no passing, no racing. He is a great driver but thats never enough in F1. At least in Nascar being a good driver can influnece your result so much more.

Have fun Montoya!

 

[richie85]

For JP it is the same as for JV, they both belong to category of drivers that simply fits more to the American racing style. They both were more successful in the US. It is clear now what is gonna happen at Mclaren --> driver no. 1 Alonso, no.2 Hamilton. He won't run both Alonso and Raikkonen, as Dennis knows what it is to have 2 of the best drivers in his team. Looking back on the frictions between Senna and Prost, Dennis will think at least twice before putting those guys in, but I think he's not gonna do it. Schumi will quit and Kimi is gonna take his seat.

 

[TheMoose]

The road races are the only races on the NASCAR schedule that I would even really care to watch each year.

Then you need to add a couple of more races to the list, the Bristol races, 43 cars on a 1/2 mile high banked oval is just as exciting as a road race.

JPM jumped in a Champ car for the first time & came out winning it will be interesting to see him make the transition to a big heavy car with skinny tires & very little braking!
I'd love to be trackside at his first roadcourse test! that should be exciting!

 

[darkfinal]

Now, I don't know if this is a fiable information source (spanish television... blergh), but I've heard Montoya is probably leaving McLaren after the next race, and he will replaced by De la Rosa. It sounds rather improbable... but replacing a latin driver with another sounds interesting.

 

[Kooky]

I would say he'd be quite the contender this year, but Ganassi's stock car program is not something I would envy. But then again, he could be what that team needed...

 

[Blake]

Now, I don't know if this is a fiable information source (spanish television... blergh), but I've heard Montoya is probably leaving McLaren after the next race, and he will replaced by De la Rosa. It sounds rather improbable... but replacing a latin driver with another sounds interesting.

Link.

 

[Brett]

It makes some sense for Montoya to go ahead and leave. It can't hurt for him to go ahead and get the extra seat time in a "stock" car. Having that extra seat time will only be of benefit to Montoya and Ganassi's team.

 

[darkfinal]

Link.

Well, bad news for a great racer...

Anyway, this cheered me up

De la Rosa should be able to score points, as he did when Montoya was out with injury last year, and he is sure to be highly motivated as he wants to convince the team that he is the best man to be Fernando Alonso's team mate next year.

I really wanted to see De la Rosa finally racing at least half a season, to show he's a great racer (apart from driver, ie: last year he was leading all friday's practices), and finally get the driver seat he deserved some years ago... only for the next few races though, he has no chances to keep driving for McLaren next season, and he would probably leave F1 after a few years as a driver test.

 

[xXSilencerXx]

I don't think he'll do that well at first. Ganassi is not exactly one of the teams I consider contenders for anything they're just there and that's it. They don't win or even finish that well consistently. But then again he could be like Tony Stewart and transition real well, although I don't really know Tony's past bafore Nascar just that he was an open wheel driver.

 

[YSSMAN]

I would say he'd be quite the contender this year, but Ganassi's stock car program is not something I would envy. But then again, he could be what that team needed...

Good point. Unfortunately for Ganassi, he doesn't have the "special formula" for certain tracks like the folks at DEI, Rousch or Penske. Granted, Montoya could be the "talent" that the team would need to make driving a bit easier, but you have also got to have the car to win at any given track.

A trip to Penske would have been better, maybe, and I'm sure that Hendrick would have took him if they had an opening.

But hey, now with the rumors that Danica Patrick may be going to NASCAR after the end of this season, it looks like NASCAR is becoming the place for racing folks to go when they want more competition and possibly more fame and fortune.