Montoya heading to Nascar!!

Illusion · 07-10-06, 05:46 PM

Danica Patrick is also considering the move to NASCAR.

Illusion · 07-11-06, 11:28 PM

McLaren replaces Montoya, who's moving to NASCAR

WOKING, England -- Juan Pablo Montoya is leaving McLaren-Mercedes immediately, after deciding to switch to NASCAR next season. He'll be replaced by test driver Pedro de la Rosa for the rest of the Formula One season.

"Team McLaren Mercedes and Juan Pablo Montoya have mutually agreed for him to step down in the forthcoming races of this year's Formula 1 World Championship," McLaren CEO and chairman Ron Dennis said Tuesday. "We have agreed that with so many things happening in Juan Pablo's life right now, he should take some time out of the car and prepare professionally and personally for the future."

On Sunday, Montoya said he would be leaving F1 at the end of the season for the Nextel Cup series.

Chip Ganassi, the team owner who signed Montoya to the NASCAR deal, told The Associated Press on Tuesday he does not yet know the details of the driver's release from McLaren.

"But if Juan is available earlier than we expected, our program for him will definitely get an early start," Ganassi said.

In making the announcement Sunday, Ganassi said that Montoya would likely make a few starts in the Busch Series after the F1 season ends in October. Asked Tuesday if the possibility of having Montoya in NASCAR earlier than expected means he also could run a few Nextel Cup events this year, Ganassi said, "It's certainly possible, but that's about the third or fourth step in this whole situation. We need to know all the details first before we start making plans."

De la Rosa will race alongside Kimi Raikkonen at the French Grand Prix on Sunday.

"I know the MP4-21 [car] better than anyone else and I'm confident that I can achieve important world championship points for the team," De la Rosa said.

The 35-year-old Spaniard raced for Jaguar in 2001 and 2002, and finished fifth at the Bahrain Grand Prix last year when Montoya was injured.

"I know that it will be a tough transition, but I'm really excited about the opportunity to move into the NASCAR championship," Montoya said Tuesday. "I have enjoyed most of my time in Formula 1 and I'm grateful for this opportunity to settle my personal life and concentrate on my future career."

Montoya, who was sixth in this year's F1 championship, had seven victories in 95 starts in F1.

tacomax · 07-12-06, 10:27 AM

Noooooooooooo.

Montoya rocks.

The General · 10-01-09, 12:08 AM

NO RESPECT at all it appears and the guy has had a great season in 2009. Zero wins, but consistent. No DNF's 3rd in the title run and where is he in the odds from The Greek? The Field along with Vickers (understandable is Vickers). I am a fan of Juan Montoya because of his open wheel accomplishments and his underdog status. He could have won the 1st race in the chase but didn't rough up Mark Martin out of respect on the last green flag. Nailed the pole in race #2.

8 full races remaining in the chase competition.

Top 10 Standings
As of 10/01/09
Rank Driver Points Behind
1 M. Martin 5400
2 J. Johnson 5390 10
3 J. Montoya 5335 - 65
4 Ku. Busch 5325 75
5 T. Stewart 5294 106
6 D. Hamlin 5292 108
7 R. Newman 5290 110
8 J. Gordon 5278 122
9 G. Biffle 5262 138
10 B. Vickers 5249 151

Odds to win the 2009 Sprint Cup Championship

1101 Jimmie Johnson +140
1102 Carl Edwards +2000
1104 Jeff Gordon +800
1105 Mark Martin +300
1106 Denny Hamlin +800
1108 Tony Stewart +900
1110 Greg Biffle +3000
1114 Kasey Kahne +6000
1115 Kurt Busch +800
1118 Ryan Newman +5000
1120 Field +800 (MONTOYA and Vickers)

WOW

chrisharvard01 · 10-01-09, 12:17 AM

Originally posted by The General

NO RESPECT at all it appears and the guy has had a great season in 2009. Zero wins, but consistent.

That sums it up, right there.

I've taken this guy at +5000 several times