Montoya participates in first test for NASCAR team

By Mike Hembree
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
$content.photo.alt

GREG McWILLIAMS

TALLADEGA, Ala. - The process of transforming Juan Pablo Montoya from a top-flight Formula One driver into a NASCAR regular began Monday as the South American driver participated in an ARCA test session at Talladega Superspeedway.

Montoya ran laps in a Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge Charger as Ganassi, crew chief Donnie Wingo and much of the Ganassi hierarchy looked on. Although official speeds were not released, team members said Montoya ran laps in the 187-mile-per-hour range.

"I went out on the track for the first time, and it was like, 'Oh, my God,'" Montoya said. "I went into [Turn] 3 and 4 and started to lift, but I said, 'Oh, let's just try it.' I went into 1 pretty fast. They told me running flat [full speed around the track] here was easy. I did it, and it felt pretty quick.

"The car moves around a lot more than I'm used to, but I'm getting there. It will take some time."

Unless Ganassi's plans change, Montoya will make his stock-car-racing debut in the Food World 250 ARCA race here Oct. 6. He is scheduled to run the full Nextel Cup series next season.

Monday's laps were Montoya's first in a full-bodied NASCAR-style stock car, although he raced 12 years ago in Trans-Am-type cars in his native Colombia.

Mentioned Drivers: Juan Pablo Montoya

No Comments

Be the first to comment on "Montoya participates in first test for NASCAR team". Login or sign up for a free account to post your comment

Post a Comment

Disclaimer: All comments are subject to filtering for language, and libelous content. We reserve the right to remove any comments deemed inappropriate.

Comment Preview

Jul 4, 2009 at 1:51 PM
You said:

You must login before you can post comments or rate content.

If you don't have a login you can create a free account.

Popular News

More by this Author

NASCAR Schedules

tnt

Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola

Daytona International Speedway
08:19 PM, 07/04/2009

Poll PositionView All

The race at which of these remaining tracks will have the largest impact on who makes the field for the Chase For The Sprint Cup?

Promotions

  • Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!

  • Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.

  • Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the Jeff Gordon Racing School.

  • Play our simulation racing fantasy game. Free with promo code "FREECRD".

NASCAR Community Join the Community

In the Forums View All

Presented by
  • Galen

    General Discussion » What is really wrong with Dale Jr about 22 hours ago

    Maybe he just can't get a grip on the C.O.T. He has really struggled since the switch, and maybe he can't grasp how this car works to tell his Chief what ne...

  • Galen

    General Discussion » Is Jimmy Johnson ill? about 11 hours ago

    Grew out a beard, cut his hair off. That's the different look. I fully expect him to turn it on in the Chase.

  • Galen

    Teams » Earnhardt Ganassi Racing about 1 month ago

    Bass Pro Shops didn't even give Truex a full season this year, how many races are they going to be willing to pay for when there are "also-rans" and rookies ...

Don't have an account yet?

Insiders Guide to NASCAR

Register with SceneDaily.com and get access to the following features:

  • FREE Insider’s Guide to NASCAR (available as a PDF download)
  • Daily NASCAR news updates delivered directly to your e-mail
  • Pre-race and Post-race emails delivered each race week
  • Ability to comment on blog and news articles
  • Information on new website features and upcoming contests
Create my Account

Login

Forgot Password?
Login or Create an Account