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bumpzter
Guest
Press conference on Speed Channel right now. Juan Pablo leaving F1. Taking a Chip Chanassi ride in Nextel Cup in 2007.
Didn't expect that.
Didn't expect that.
*picks jaw up off floor*
F1 driver Montoya to drive in NASCAR
By CHRIS JENKINS, AP Sports Writer
July 9, 2006
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.''
Montoya, who won a CART series championship in 1999 and the Indianapolis 500 in 2000 with Ganassi, will replace Casey Mears, who will drive for Hendrick Motorsports next season.
"He said, 'I want to get back to racing,''' Ganassi said. "The guy loves racing. And what better place than here?''
Several open-wheel drivers who have tried to move to NASCAR have struggled with the adjustment. Tony Stewart left the Indy Racing League to become a two-time NASCAR champion, and Robby Gordon has three career victories. But others haven't fared as well.
The list of open-wheel drivers who flirted with NASCAR in recent years but haven't established themselves as top-level Nextel Cup material includes established drivers such as John Andretti, Christian Fittipaldi, Scott Pruett, Paul Tracy, Max Papis and Jimmy Vasser.
Ganassi said Montoya will have to work hard to make the adjustment.
"It's going to be some work,'' Ganassi said. "He's ready for it, though.''
So when did the two first talk about doing a deal?
"Just last week -- as far as you know,'' Ganassi said, smiling.
Ganassi said Montoya might be available to drive in selected NASCAR races, perhaps in the Busch Series, after he finishes the Formula One season with the McLaren-Mercedes team.
"He's bound by contract right now until the end of the Formula One season,'' Ganassi said. "We have some opportunities to do some things after that.''
Updated on Sunday, Jul 9, 2006
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I remember when he and Jeff exchanged cars at Indy one year. He said then that he enjoyed driving that car. It ought to be interesting to say the least.
By CHRIS JENKINS, AP Sports Writer
July 9, 2006
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.''
Montoya, who won a CART series championship in 1999 and the Indianapolis 500 in 2000 with Ganassi, will replace Casey Mears, who will drive for Hendrick Motorsports next season.
"He said, 'I want to get back to racing,''' Ganassi said. "The guy loves racing. And what better place than here?''
Several open-wheel drivers who have tried to move to NASCAR have struggled with the adjustment. Tony Stewart left the Indy Racing League to become a two-time NASCAR champion, and Robby Gordon has three career victories. But others haven't fared as well.
The list of open-wheel drivers who flirted with NASCAR in recent years but haven't established themselves as top-level Nextel Cup material includes established drivers such as John Andretti, Christian Fittipaldi, Scott Pruett, Paul Tracy, Max Papis and Jimmy Vasser.
Ganassi said Montoya will have to work hard to make the adjustment.
"It's going to be some work,'' Ganassi said. "He's ready for it, though.''
So when did the two first talk about doing a deal?
"Just last week -- as far as you know,'' Ganassi said, smiling.
Ganassi said Montoya might be available to drive in selected NASCAR races, perhaps in the Busch Series, after he finishes the Formula One season with the McLaren-Mercedes team.
"He's bound by contract right now until the end of the Formula One season,'' Ganassi said. "We have some opportunities to do some things after that.''
Updated on Sunday, Jul 9, 2006
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I remember when he and Jeff exchanged cars at Indy one year. He said then that he enjoyed driving that car. It ought to be interesting to say the least.
I sure wish him well as I'm very fond of JPM! (He's good looking too! )
)
On raceday, they talked to JPM and ganassi, and they asked him about when he and jeff changed cars, and he said even though it was on a road course, the stock car was comfortable.
but i wonder what he'll say now when he climbs in the car with all the new safety stuff.
but i wonder what he'll say now when he climbs in the car with all the new safety stuff.
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bumpzter
Guest
With Fernado Alanso jumping to McLaren and Kimi outperforming him consistently this year, I wonder if Montoya saw the writing on the wall that his McLaren days are over, and possibly not any good rides would be available to him (if any).
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ajk112802
Guest
bumpzter said:
I believe this is exactly what happened. The rumors were out there (even side comments by announcers during the last few races) that there would be no decent ride for him next year. I've seen him race Indy-style cars (CART, actually) and man was he impressive. Drove very kamakazi-style, taking a lot of chances, much like Paul Tracy, really drove the car well. I'm not sure that style will make either of their transitions into NASCAR smooth or successful (PT's has been bumpy at best), but it will be fun to watch Juan Montoya again and maybe Tracy can get it together too.
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bumpzter
Guest
Latest. Montoya released from McLaren. Pedro de la Rosa to take over immediately.
Well, now we know why JPM called Chip. He saw it coming.
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dragonlady424
Guest
Color ME HAPPY!!!!!!! I really like JP and wish him well in the wild, wonderful world of NASCAR!!!!!!!!
JP!!!!!!!!!!!
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fun_in_my_z
Guest
Hate to say it, but he will struggle