Montoya Returning To IndyCar

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KevinWI

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Montoya and Andretti are in talks about JPM returning to American Open-Wheel Racing after a
13 year hiatus.

From Jayski:

Montoya back to Indycars...with Andretti? Michael Andretti is trying to find a sponsor to bring #42-Juan Pablo Montoya back to IndyCar with Andretti Autosport. "I have talked to Juan about IndyCar and told him 'Hell yeah, let's find a way to put something together,' " Andretti told The Associated Press on Monday. "I've driven against him and I think he's one of the best drivers I've ever driven against. It just comes down to sponsorship. So we're looking, and if it's a possibility, we want to do something with him." Andretti only had conversations with Montoya last week after the Colombian learned from Chip Ganassi that he wouldn't be re-signed to Ganassi's NASCAR team for an eighth season. Montoya has been out of open wheel racing since he left Formula One in 2006 to rejoin Ganassi in NASCAR, and he's not ruling out any series now that he's looking for work. He told AP on Monday a return to IndyCar isn't out of the question, but wouldn't reveal what teams he's spoken to so far.(Associated Press)(8-19-2013)
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Hinch's seat after his contract expires this year? uh, okay I guess. I don't see JPM playing nice with Hunter Reay and Marco, though. He'd probably do well on any good team.

If they do let The Mayor go, I hope he makes Michael regret it.
 
I don't know if going back to open wheel is a good idea. Montoya might have a hard time learning not to use fenders, sports cars would be a better fit. I think Andretti also runs sports cars.
 
Zerkfitting said:
I don't know if going back to open wheel is a good idea. Montoya might have a hard time learning not to use fenders, sports cars would be a better fit. I think Andretti also runs sports cars.
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They aren't involved in ALMS, but Ganassi is. Most of the noise around JPM going to sports cars is that he's holding off on that until he gets older. Looks like he's going to take a pay cut no matter what he does.
 
There were rumors that Andretti was looking to run Dodge Vipers. But that was a rumor some time ago.
 
Zerkfitting said:
There were rumors that Andretti was looking to run Dodge Vipers. But that was a rumor some time ago.
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Yeah, I read the same thing. Remember Andretti tried running an ALMS team in like 07-08 with Honda/Acura. XM Satellite Radio was on the car, as I recall. Even with the likes of Dario Francitti and Tony Kanaan driving, I vaguely remember they weren't impressive and left with their tail between their legs. Maybe Andretti is apprehensive about getting into sports cars because they were embarrassed there once before. They didn't have the luck that Penske and Ganassi have.
 
Snipe Boy is back!

dpkimmel2001 said:
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA TO JOIN TEAM PENSKE IN 2014

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (September 16, 2013) – Team Penske announced today that Juan Pablo Montoya will join the team in 2014. Montoya will drive the No. 2 Team Penske IndyCar for the full season as he will join Will Power and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves in the team’s IZOD IndyCar Series lineup beginning next season.



Montoya, 37, is a native of Colombia and he is one of the most accomplished drivers in the world. His career highlights include race wins in Formula One, NASCAR and the CART Indy Car Series. He is the only driver to produce victories in the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the Monaco Grand Prix. Montoya earned 11 IndyCar wins over two seasons as he captured the CART Series title in his rookie season of 1999 followed by a victory in the Indy 500 in 2000.



“I am really excited to join this legendary team beginning next year,” said Montoya. “I have had the opportunity to drive for some of the best racing teams in the world and I have always admired Roger Penske and his organization. I consider it an honor to be offered the opportunity to drive for Team Penske.”



“Juan is a proven winner at all levels of motorsport,” said Roger Penske. “He has won a lot of races and championships and he has an extremely passionate fan base. We look forward to building on his successes together and we believe he will be a great addition to Team Penske.”
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This means Montoya will have driven for Ganassi, McLaren, Williams and Penske in his career. Jeez, how's that for a laundry list of former (and future) employers?
 
I think it's a good move on his part, how good is yet to be known until this time next season but for right now just based on past performance alone, this is the right move. When the announcement about Montoya's dismissal was originally made I had made the comment that Chip should just add him to the IndyCar program so with this, either Chip made an offer and Juan didn't like it or they just mutually agreed that it was over. You gotta believe that Chip has got to be a little concerned heading into next season. Penske should run Montoya in the Fontana finale just so he can get in some good seat time before next year...
 
I thought he would land at Furniture Row, but I'm liking this move too. He's going to be fun to watch.
 
Associated Press Reports Updated: September 16, 2013, 1:30 PM ET:
Juan Pablo Montoya joins Penske

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Juan Pablo Montoya has an added boost of motivation to win races again.

And he's teaming with longtime boss Chip Ganassi's top rival to do it.

Montoya ended his underwhelming NASCAR stint Monday for a return to IndyCar, where he'll drive for Ganassi rival Roger Penske.

The Colombian has agreed to join Team Penske next season as a teammate to current IndyCar points leader Helio Castroneves and Will Power. He could also drive in some NASCAR races as part of the deal.

"I have had the opportunity to drive for some of the best racing teams in the world and I have always admired Roger Penske and his organization," Montoya said. "I consider it an honor to be offered the opportunity to drive for Team Penske."

He could also consider the move a big piece of gamesmanship in the racing rivalry that spans two series between Ganassi and Penske.

Ganassi decided in August he was not bringing Montoya back to his NASCAR program next season. But he and Penske are fierce rivals in IndyCar, and Ganassi driver Scott Dixon is currently locked in the championship battle with Castroneves.

Montoya won the 1999 CART title, the 2000 Indianapolis 500 and 11 races driving open-wheel for Ganassi. He then moved to Formula One, where he had seven wins and 30 podiums, before reuniting with Ganassi again in 2006 to compete in NASCAR.

Montoya had said he'd consider all opportunities once he learned he was not going to return to Ganassi's Sprint Cup Series car, and he spoke with Michael Andretti about an IndyCar ride. Andretti looked for the sponsorship needed to sign Montoya, but Montoya informed Andretti last week he was no longer interested in a partnership.

Montoya also had an offer in NASCAR to replace Kurt Busch at Furniture Row Racing next season. He visited that team's shop in Colorado, but his first choice was to sign with an organization that could give him cars capable of winning every race.

He lacked that in NASCAR with Ganassi, which has had roller-coaster performances as an organization but is consistently among the best in IndyCar. Ganassi's top rival? Penske, winner of 15 Indianapolis 500s.

"We look forward to building on his successes together and we believe he will be a great addition to Team Penske," Penske said.

Montoya has been with Ganassi since 2006 when he abruptly left Formula One for NASCAR. It's his second stint with the car; the two teamed up to win the 1999 CART championship and 2000 Indianapolis 500 before Montoya moved to F1.

But results in NASCAR have been sporadic. Montoya has just two wins in 244 career starts and his best season finish was eighth in 2009. He's 20th in the standings.

The program has been through several rebuilds since Montoya came aboard, and it was a middle-of-the-road organization when he signed on in 2006. It was Ganassi that was the draw for Montoya: The two had won 11 races together in 1999 and 2000 in CART, including the Indy 500.

Their first NASCAR season was decent and gave the organization a boost with a win on the road course at Sonoma, six top-10s and rookie of the year in 2007. But 2008 was the first sign of trouble as Montoya had two crew chief changes in the first 16 races.

Montoya made the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in 2009 with crew chief Brian Pattie behind a career-best 18 top-10s, and he was third in points with six races to go in the season before fading to eighth in the final standings.

He won on the road course at Watkins Glen in 2010, but Pattie was let go before Indianapolis in 2011 for Montoya's fourth crew chief change. The Ganassi team began another overhaul that winter and Chris Heroy was hired as Montoya's fifth crew chief before 2012. That entire season was spent trying to get the Ganassi cars up to speed.

Montoya is now stuck in the middle of a spat between Penske and Ganassi drivers over in IndyCar.

Ganassi driver Scott Dixon was penalized in Sonoma when his car made contact with a crew member for Power, Castroneves' teammate, on the final pit stop. IndyCar race director Beaux Barfield said Dixon had driven into the Penske Racing work space, but Dixon alleged the crew member walked into his car.

The penalty cost Dixon a chance to race for the win, and opinion was split through the paddock as to who was at fault and if race control perhaps should not have penalized anyone.
 
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dude, when you plagiarize a whole article, according to the rules here, you have to show the source of the article instead of putting the whole thing on here and using a whole page. you can get in trouble from the original publisher for what you did, not to mention this forum.
 
StandOnIt said:
dude, when you plagiarize a whole article, according to the rules here, you have to show the source of the article instead of putting the whole thing on here and using a whole page. you can get in trouble from the original publisher for what you did, not to mention this forum.
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Ok, I am learning the ropes around here.

My sincere apologies
 
Cochole Maldonado said:
Ok, I am learning the ropes around here.

My sincere apologies
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Good article, I read all I can about Montoya, I like the guy, and I hope he busts their butts in indy car. I have a reason to start paying more attention to indy car. he goes over there and starts winning, he shows that Nascar is tuff competition and that his cars haven't been the best. Penske stuff is the best over there IMO.
 
Restrictor Plate King! said:
I think it's a good move on his part, how good is yet to be known until this time next season but for right now just based on past performance alone, this is the right move. When the announcement about Montoya's dismissal was originally made I had made the comment that Chip should just add him to the IndyCar program so with this, either Chip made an offer and Juan didn't like it or they just mutually agreed that it was over. You gotta believe that Chip has got to be a little concerned heading into next season. Penske should run Montoya in the Fontana finale just so he can get in some good seat time before next year...
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Juan Pablo Montoya got offended by EGR low balling the offer and Montoya didn't like it; it was over.

The statement from Ganassi was harsh against Juan Pablo Montoya abilities while not taking the high road with the timing and the releasing of the news.

Once Juan Pablo covered his bases by connecting with the rainmakers in the car racing industry, he then met with EGR and Juan Pablo already knew what he had under his sleeves.

This is a business based on trust and Montoya has known this all his life.

So Montoya went in the meeting with EGR. Montoya was law balled into accepting a contract the proud Colombian was not going to sell himself for.

Tempers and personalities flared up, and they just could not get back together again.

EGR rushed out to put the fire of Montoya´s newly found opportunities by throwing a smoke screen at the eventual Montoya´s Penske news by making the announcement of Kyle Larson to drive EGR # 42.

The Penske relationship could not be a better news for Montoya´s fans and for his family.

Montoya will still be able to live in Florida while working across the US driving race cars.

MUCHO DINERO MUCHOS DOLARES
 
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Yeah I figured he didn't want to move or commute to Colorado. that is why Childress got one of FFR's key players, his family was back in Charlotte.
 
Montoya back in open wheel...I like it. I thought he was an exciting driver to watch back in those days and hopefully he's still got it.

Good luck to him
 
I expected Montoya to have done better in NASCAR but he was with an average team. New-old blood in Indycar; it should be interesting to see how long it takes for him to get up to speed.
 
before you get all twisted up Cohole, we all know the car broke..inferior Ganassi equipment right? BTW that Daytona race, now that I think about it, was almost as long as last nights
 
http://www.racer.com/robin-miller-o...uan-montoyas-indycar-return/article/311932/2/

Robin Miller has some nice thoughts about Montoya returning to IndyCar. Apparently, after his dominant 1999 and 2000 seasons in CART (last time he was in American open-wheel racing) some of the other old-timers have some unfinished business with him. Dario and Tony Kanaan both saying he needs to lose some weight to fit in the car, hehehe.
 
VaDirt said:
Looking forward to this. Can he return to his winning ways? Francitti did.
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Montoya would have to get in shape. I know everybody makes jokes about that ("he uses the same target driving suit he did 10 years ago, just 3 sizes up!") but that Chevy press conference with him and Tim Cendric... yikes, he's really husky for an open-wheel driver. Time to hit the gym Juan.

What's ironic is that when he entered CART in 1999 I remember Target taking out ads in that open wheel racing magazine (forgot the name at the moment) and one mentioned JPM worked out four hours a day or something and had a picture of him bench pressing. I guess he's been on the Tony Stewart Burger King workout since going to NASCAR. :D
 
screen_shot_2013-09-16_at_1090_458717.png


Picture from the Cindric/JPM/Chevy press conference earlier this week. Note the double chin. Cue the rocky training montage.
 
Juan says in the interview that he needs to get in the right condition. I'm sure he'll be fine.
 
Any of you old timers remember when Nigel Mansell showed up for his CART season and was too fat to fit in the car and Newman/Haas had to remold the driver's pod to fit his fatass in? Haha.
 
Zerkfitting said:
Mansell was fat enough to win the championship.
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I apologize in advance for further hijacking the thread, but aside from the 'Red 5', mentioning Mansell always reminds me of him taking Michael Andretti's seat when Michael left for his ill-fated try at F1 (worthy of a thread in itself!), and when he won at Michigan while he was so sick, when they pulled him out of his car after the race, it looked like they were rescuing a shipwrecked sailor. From this article:

"Mansell hadn't tested at Michigan International Speedway, and found the track surface, bruised and beaten by winter weather, not to his liking - and said so. In just his second 500-mile race, he led 222 of the 250 laps (including the last 167) and won by nine seconds over Newman/Haas mate Andretti, averaging above 188 mph. Of course, there was drama. The Michigan bumps and G-loads and long distance and August heat gave Nigel, like other drivers over the years, a headache. Aspirin was dissolved in the water bottle given Mansell on his last two pit stops, but that distressed his stomach, and he got sick inside his helmet with about 20 laps to go. Earlier in the weekend, he was introduced to Dale Earnhardt (there for the IROC event), and the two quickly developed a mutual admiration society."
 
hawg dawg said:
ha! so true !
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Ha Ha isn't it the truth, ol A.J. got big his last few years. Bigger now. Love that guy, when he was competing against Mario, he was liable to say anything. I don't think we will get that with Juan, but it gives me a reason to watch indycar next year.
 
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