Juan Pablo Montoya To NASCAR

[TLK]

Chip Ganassi and Juan Montoya will be reunited in 2007 but it won't be in open wheel racing.

In one of the most shocking career changes in recent memory, Montoya is leaving Formula 1 to drive for Ganassi in NASCAR's Nextel Cup series.

SPEEDtv.com has learned that Montoya will be named to drive the No. 41 car in a press conference this morning at Chicago.

Despite seven wins during the past six years, the 30-year-old Colombian found himself in F1 limbo because his contract with McLaren is not being renewed and no other good F1 seats were open.

The 1999 CART champion and 2000 Indy 500 winner has only driven a stock car one time and that was during an exhibition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Jeff Gordon when they swapped cars.

"We'll run him in Busch and Nextel Cup next year to try and get him as much experience as quickly as possible," said Ganassi on Sunday morning. "We'll also try to work in some selected Busch events near the end of this season."

It's believed Frank Williams had offered his old driver a seat for '07 but that Montoya opted to turn it down.

By hiring Montoya, who has a residence in Miami, Ganassi fulfills NASCAR's diversity program for Hispanic-speaking people and greatly enhances the chances of a Cup event in Mexico City.

Well this is interesting....

[Galaxy]

Yeap....He was perheps the most aggressive driver in F1. He had his press conference this morning basically blasting F1 and that he wanted to "go racing".

[Galaxy]

By the way, ChampCar Toronto race is on now.

[Galaxy]

He lives in Miami? Does he commute each week back and forth to the tracks in Europe and Asia (most of the races are held here), as well as testing, ect.?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Had me worried for a minute there, since the #41 is currently driven by Reed Sorensen (the only Georgia native full-time in NASCAR at the moment).

Luckily, Jayski had an AP version of the story that clears that up.
"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."

The 42 is currently driven by Casey Mears, who is leaving Ganassi at the end of the season to drive the 25 for Hendrick Motorsports ... replacing Brian Vickers, who asked for his release in order to drive the new #83 Red Bull Toyota.

Gotta love "Silly Season", which now goes on pretty much year 'round.

[clintl]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

He lives in Miami? Does he commute each week back and forth to the tracks in Europe and Asia (most of the races are held here), as well as testing, ect.?

I would guess that pretty much all race car drivers (and especially F1 drivers) spend most of the race season traveling, so it doesn't really matter that much where they live. Plus, it didn't say that was his only residence, and he certainly has enough money for more than one.

[TLK]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Had me worried for a minute there, since the #41 is currently driven by Reed Sorensen (the only Georgia native full-time in NASCAR at the moment).

Luckily, Jayski had an AP version of the story that clears that up.
"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."

The 42 is currently driven by Casey Mears, who is leaving Ganassi at the end of the season to drive the 25 for Hendrick Motorsports ... replacing Brian Vickers, who asked for his release in order to drive the new #83 Red Bull Toyota.

Gotta love "Silly Season", which now goes on pretty much year 'round.

It was a Robin Miller piece.... inaccuracies are to be expected.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by clintl

I would guess that pretty much all race car drivers (and especially F1 drivers) spend most of the race season traveling, so it doesn't really matter that much where they live. Plus, it didn't say that was his only residence, and he certainly has enough money for more than one.

Yeah, might be his "off-season" home. I know when Michael Andretti gave his go at F1, he commuted each week from the states to Europe. It took away his ability to build teamwork and really have a clear focus on the racing.

[Dutch]

Wow. I'll definately follow Juan. He's one hell of a driver. No way he will put up with some of the good-ole boy let's get Dale Jr. to the front bullshit.

[Crapshoot]

Why would anyone leave F1 for NASCAR ? That's like leaving a job at Tiffany's for Walmart.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

Why would anyone leave F1 for NASCAR ? That's like leaving a job at Tiffany's for Walmart.

Financially, you are right. However, where would you rather work? At Walmart where you can tell the customer to 'fuck off' or at Tiffany's where the customers just tell you to 'fuck off' and you are trained to grin.

Obviously the decision has nothing to do with money and everything to do with racing cars.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Financially, you are right. However, where would you rather work? At Walmart where you can tell the customer to 'fuck off' or at Tiffany's where the customers just tell you to 'fuck off' and you are trained to grin.

Obviously the decision has nothing to do with money and everything to do with racing cars.

Well, financially, as well as in terms of racing "prestige" - F1 is the blue blood level of the "sport", and NASCAR ... is not. I guess he wanted to try a different style, but I wonder if Montaya will be able to convert from the open wheel to the NASCAR system - I imagine the stylistic changes are huge (as is the reduction in power).

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

Well, financially, as well as in terms of racing "prestige" - F1 is the blue blood level of the "sport", and NASCAR ... is not. I guess he wanted to try a different style, but I wonder if Montaya will be able to convert from the open wheel to the NASCAR system - I imagine the stylistic changes are huge (as is the reduction in power).

NASCAR is not the "Tiffany's" of auto-racing, we get it. But my point remains, he's made his money off F1, why not go out and have some fun now instead of the Dog and Pony Show that F1 is.

As far as the stylistic changes, open-wheel racing is always going to be more technically challenging and oval racing shouldn't be a problem to convert to (think Jeff Gordon and Tony Stuart). But the constant close quarters with other drivers could lead you to trouble dealing with that new enviroment (Robby Gordon hasn't been very successful in NASCAR)

All three of those drivers tend to be extremely aggressive in nature, they probably learned that by the need to be aggressive in open-wheel racing to pass. It's panned out for two of them, I suspect Montoya will have a field day, so long as he can put up with the heavier cars. After driving CART and F1, it's probably going to feel like he's driving a dump-truck.

[hoosierdude]

What are his options though? I mean, ChampCar and IRL are trying to make up, and the money isn't going to be there or the stability that NASCAR has.

I see it as best money opportunity for him at this stage is NASCAR. He is 30... and why pay more for a 30 year old than bring up a hot new rookie in F1?

Plus the opportunities for NASCAR as stated earlier opens up a whole new area for them if he does well enough to join the main circuit quickly. Win for Montoya, win for NASCAR, and F1 probably couldn't care less.

[Galaxy]

Back to the Miami residence, he may also like the idea of living back in his main residence, and may be more at-home in the Americas (and considering he's spent a lot of time here in his pre-F1 days).

But with Montoya, he said the same thing when he went to F1 from then CART.

[Galaxy]

What is the pay for F1 drivers to NASCAR? I know Schmi is worth nearly an estimated $500 million, but he gets paid nearly $30 million alone from one sponsor to wear their hat and give them his endorsment. Unless your one of the top five guys in F1, you are likely to make as much with NASCAR as a good driver as you could in F1. Thing with F1 in relation to NASCAR, F1 is all about the teams, with NASCAR it's all about the drivers. Not to mention F1 I believe has 20-22 drivers a race, compared to a field of 43 for the Cup series. Plus, F1 is more focused on Technology, where a decent driver in a top team can really compete. It's alittle more driver-focus in NASCAR. Plus, the sponsorship marketing in the NASCAR circles is much stronger than F1. Jeff Gordon I believe is worth close to the $200 million mark (and this is post-divorce; I hope he gets one this time around to his future wife).

[nilodor]

Most decent drivers (non rent a ride) in F1 make between 2 and 10 million a season. Fernando Alonso makes 9 million this year. But some drivers like both the Schumacher brothers make well over 10 million.

[JonInMiddleGA]

re: NASCAR driver salaries -- one of the better kept secrets over the years, most of what's known about them has come from court cases in the past few years. One of the figures that's been tossed about was Dale, Sr. having a contract that spelled out $7m a year for his driving (i.e. that didn't include his endorsement fees). Another figure that made the rounds was Jeff Gordon " turning over documents to the court that estimated his worth at "about $48.8 million and earned more than $18 million in 2001"


Interesting read for anybody who enjoys this sort of stuff -- it's Kasey Kahne's contract with Robert Yates Racing in .pdf format. Base salary for Kahne topped out at $1m/yr, plus various percentages of winnings, bonus money, prize money, merchandising, etc.

Also, a copy of Kahne's contract with Ford Motor Company, which basically calls for $200k/yr in return for the rights to his image, plus 12 personal appearances a year.

And an interesting take on the differences in the two circuits from Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield, which includes a comment that " ... they only race what, 18 weeks? And they make four times as much."

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

And an interesting take on the differences in the two circuits from Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield, which includes a comment that " ... they only race what, 18 weeks? And they make four times as much."

I think the big different is the ownership of the teams and the way they are operated. In NASCAR, each team is independent the racing is the business. In F1, the motto "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" fits well. F1 is set up with two-car teams owned and operated by mainly car companies (Ferrari, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Honda) or large companies (Red Bull). The emphasis is to use F1 for marketing and technological research.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

In NASCAR, each team is independent the racing is the business.

I believe that's something that a lot of people, both inside & outside of NASCAR, would disagree with you about. One of the more frequent complaints about from both those in the industry and the fans are along the lines of "the business is the business". Point being that the racing has become secondary for a lot of the Cup teams (and probably a lot of the Busch teams too).

As for the old "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" adage, I think it has become equally or even more applicable to the NASCAR sponsors as to the manufacturers. But these days the sponsors are putting more money into NASCAR than the auto makers, so I guess that's an appropriate change to have taken place.

[tanglewood]

NASCAR was basically Montoya's only realistic option at the end of this year. The guy has a lot of talent, but hasn't fulfilled it in F1 at all. He had a promising start at Williams, but hasn't performed at McLaren, especially considering they've had a car just as good, if not better, than anyone else when he's been driving for them. Raikonnen has been vastly superior to him and with Alonso coming to the team next year he's been forced out. Renault might try and pinch Raikonnen in retaliation, but if that happens McLaren would rather bring up one of their promising rookies than go back to Montoya who they don't feel is value for money. If Renault can't get Raikonnen they are all set to go the youth route too, as Briatore has promised one of his guys a drive for next year so may just slot him in as the number 2 behind Fisichella instead of sending him to one of the smaller teams. Ferrari are Schumacher's team until he wants to retire, which doesn't look like this year. Honda are all set with Button who they really like and leads the team well, and Barrichello who is tied in long term. Toyota are also sticking with what they got in Trulli. Apparently, Montoya went to Williams asking if they'd take him for next year, but the combination of them being high on Webber and the messy situation Montoya created last time he was with them, they said no. Montoya's problem F1-wise is that even though he clearly has the talent, he's reckless, uncomitted and has such an ego he can't accept not being 'the man' on a team, even though he hasn't proved it on the track.

All that said, I think Montoya's a bit unfortunate, it's as if the stars have aligned to create a situation where he can't get a drive for next year (unless of course he was willing to take a big pay cut and sign for one of the smaller teams, which ain't gonna happen with JPM). Most years a team would probably have taken a chance on him again, Exhibit A: Jacques Villeneuve's laborious trail through every two-bit team who are foolish enough to give him one last chance (we really mean it this time!). Really, Montoya is fortunate that he has the NASCAR option, because if he didn't he'd have to go to a smaller team and earn his way back into in the big boys for a couple of seasons, this way he escape to America and keep his ego intact, then perhaps come back to F1 in a few years if he wants. Really, to Montoya the difference between $1m a year and $5m a year isn't that much to him, and seeing he never really seemed to be all that bothered about F1 perhaps NASCAR we reignite his intrest in racing again. I hope so, because they guy's got the skills.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I believe that's something that a lot of people, both inside & outside of NASCAR, would disagree with you about. One of the more frequent complaints about from both those in the industry and the fans are along the lines of "the business is the business". Point being that the racing has become secondary for a lot of the Cup teams (and probably a lot of the Busch teams too).

As for the old "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" adage, I think it has become equally or even more applicable to the NASCAR sponsors as to the manufacturers. But these days the sponsors are putting more money into NASCAR than the auto makers, so I guess that's an appropriate change to have taken place.

I guess your correct on the first part now that I think about the last 5-10 years. With the large "super" teams, make sense.

I should have added on the "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday". That has grown too. But I think the sponsors are the bigger "winners" of it. It will be interesting to see when Toyota joins the Cup ring.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by tanglewood

NASCAR was basically Montoya's only realistic option at the end of this year. The guy has a lot of talent, but hasn't fulfilled it in F1 at all. He had a promising start at Williams, but hasn't performed at McLaren, especially considering they've had a car just as good, if not better, than anyone else when he's been driving for them. Raikonnen has been vastly superior to him and with Alonso coming to the team next year he's been forced out. Renault might try and pinch Raikonnen in retaliation, but if that happens McLaren would rather bring up one of their promising rookies than go back to Montoya who they don't feel is value for money. If Renault can't get Raikonnen they are all set to go the youth route too, as Briatore has promised one of his guys a drive for next year so may just slot him in as the number 2 behind Fisichella instead of sending him to one of the smaller teams. Ferrari are Schumacher's team until he wants to retire, which doesn't look like this year. Honda are all set with Button who they really like and leads the team well, and Barrichello who is tied in long term. Toyota are also sticking with what they got in Trulli. Apparently, Montoya went to Williams asking if they'd take him for next year, but the combination of them being high on Webber and the messy situation Montoya created last time he was with them, they said no. Montoya's problem F1-wise is that even though he clearly has the talent, he's reckless, uncomitted and has such an ego he can't accept not being 'the man' on a team, even though he hasn't proved it on the track.

All that said, I think Montoya's a bit unfortunate, it's as if the stars have aligned to create a situation where he can't get a drive for next year (unless of course he was willing to take a big pay cut and sign for one of the smaller teams, which ain't gonna happen with JPM). Most years a team would probably have taken a chance on him again, Exhibit A: Jacques Villeneuve's laborious trail through every two-bit team who are foolish enough to give him one last chance (we really mean it this time!). Really, Montoya is fortunate that he has the NASCAR option, because if he didn't he'd have to go to a smaller team and earn his way back into in the big boys for a couple of seasons, this way he escape to America and keep his ego intact, then perhaps come back to F1 in a few years if he wants. Really, to Montoya the difference between $1m a year and $5m a year isn't that much to him, and seeing he never really seemed to be all that bothered about F1 perhaps NASCAR we reignite his intrest in racing again. I hope so, because they guy's got the skills.

Really think a big F1 team would want to take on Montoya in a few years, when he is 31 right now?

[Cringer]

So we have a top-notch foriegn guy coming to NASCAR? Who plays the Will Ferrel character in this little story?

For those who don't get my comment.... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0415306/

[clintl]

Originally Posted by Dutch

(Robby Gordon hasn't been very successful in NASCAR)

That's because Robby Gordon is an idiot. He wasn't very successful in open wheel either, and screwed up every deal he ever had in either series with someone else as a car owner.

[TLK]

On a related note....

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...-sportsauto-hed

Patrick may jump to NASCAR
Dad/manager talks to Nextel Cup teams

By Ed Hinton
Tribune auto racing reporter
Published July 10, 2006

Danica Patrick could become the next high-profile driver to defect to NASCAR, right on the heels of Formula One's Juan Pablo Montoya.

"I'm trying to get her [into NASCAR]," said T.J. Patrick, father of the woman who dazzled the auto racing world last year by nearly winning the Indianapolis 500 but has struggled with a mediocre Indy Racing League car ever since.

T.J. Patrick, who manages his daughter's career, was at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, holding exploratory talks with some Nextel Cup teams and sponsors about the possibility of Patrick leaving the IRL for NASCAR as early as next year.

Her contract with the Rahal-Letterman Racing team expires at the end of this season. Besides NASCAR, the Patricks are negotiating with other IRL teams and appear unlikely to renew with Rahal-Letterman.

Team co-owner Bobby Rahal declined to comment.

Patrick's family is from Roscoe, Ill., but she now lives in Phoenix with her husband. She was not at Sunday's USG Sheetrock 400 NASCAR race. Her father came to Joliet because "we've had some inquiries" from NASCAR teams, he said.

NASCAR scored a coup Sunday when Montoya announced he would leave the glamorous international Formula One tour to drive a Dodge in NASCAR next year. The addition of Patrick, the world's best-known female driver, would add further impetus to NASCAR's surge in popularity.

Young American open-wheel drivers have been steering steadily away from IndyCars and into NASCAR for the last decade, from Jeff Gordon to Tony Stewart to Ryan Newman to Kasey Kahne. They come for much more money, fame, what they consider more intense competition and the sheer volume of racing.

But the 36-race Nextel Cup schedule--more than twice as many events as in the IRL--plus two bonus races each season has been a concern for Patrick, who views it as too grueling.

"There's just so many races," her father said. "That's what scares her more than anything. It's 38 weekends."

But with all the action and money in NASCAR, might the Patricks decide the grind is worth it?

"I don't know if she's coming around to the idea, but all the arrows point this way," T.J. Patrick said.

The Patricks were in the Nextel Cup garage area as guests of the powerful Roush Racing team, which fields Fords for Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray and Mark Martin. Could anything be read into that?

"Not at this point," T.J. Patrick said. "We're just talking to everybody and seeing what's shaking here."

He also confirmed he had talked with another well-financed team, on the condition that the team's name not be published. An executive with that team confirmed that "exploratory conversations" had taken place and acknowledged the value of Patrick's name recognition and glamorous image to sponsors.

Would converting from open-wheel, single-seat, 1,600-pound IndyCars to full-bodied, 3,400-pound stock cars be too much?

"I don't think she'd have a problem," said her father, a veteran racer.

"You could give her six months or a year in a car and do some testing and learning. She understands the basics."

Before Patrick started her IndyCar career, Ford Motor Co. engineers gave her a test session in a NASCAR Busch series car, and she excelled.

Patrick is only 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 100 pounds. But her father, gesturing at a stock car going through inspection, said, "Strength-wise, it's probably easier to drive one of these because they have power steering where we [in the IRL] don't right now."

[JPhillips]

I am Juan Pablo Montoya.

NASCAR killed my father.

Prepare to die.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by TheLionKing

On a related note....

I hope not. I can't stand Danica. Not because she's a woman, because she really hasn't done much in the IRL. I wouldn't want to listen to the hype of her being in NASCAR all the time.

[albionmoonlight]

What is it about famous women having their dads manage their careers?

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://sports.myway.com/news/07252006/v2220.html


Danica Patrick to Join Andretti Green Racing in 2007
Jul 25, 3:03 PM (ET)
By ANDREW SELIGMAN

CHICAGO (AP) - Danica Patrick signed with Andretti Green Racing on Tuesday, deciding to stay in the Indy Racing League instead of switching to NASCAR.

Patrick will start driving for her new team in 2007. Her current contract with Rahal Letterman expires at the end of the season. Though she toyed with joining NASCAR, Patrick said last week she was leaning toward staying in the IndyCar series.

"My heart and soul is in IndyCar racing," Patrick said at a news conference. "NASCAR is not out for good. It's out for right now."

Patrick, the 2005 IndyCar Series rookie of the year, is the third driver under contract to Andretti Green racing for 2007. She joins Tony Kanaan and Marco Andretti. Andretti Green has four full-time entries in the series.

"Danica has shown great talent during her first two seasons in the IndyCar Series," CEO Michael Andretti said in a prepared statement. "Our focus has been and always will be on winning races and winning championships. We certainly believe Danica will do that. She has made it very clear that one of her goals as a driver is to win the Indianapolis 500 and we are looking forward to giving her a great opportunity to do that."

Patrick has finished fourth in back-to-back races and is currently ninth in the IndyCar standings, but her Rahal team generally hasn't been competitive this season.

"I've had a very good run, a very good relationship with Rahal Letterman and Bobby Rahal. He helped me when no one else stepped up. And I will be forever grateful for that," Patrick said.

"But at some point in time, there's just time for a change, time for something new. I feel Andretti Green is going to give me the opportunity to win races, and while Rahal Letterman still can, too, I have to go with what I think is best for my future. I feel like that's the place."

Patrick and AGR officials refused to release the length of the deal.

Patrick's father, T.J., caused a stir earlier this month when he showed up at a Nextel Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway and told a Chicago Tribune reporter that Patrick was interested in switching to NASCAR.

But Patrick said she was just exploring every option and always was leaning toward staying in IndyCar.

[hoosierdude]

Does she really think that she will get the go sign if it is between her and Marco? Don't see that happening..

Glad she is staying with Indy and the IRL for now. Hey ChampCar and IRL, NOW is the time to resolve all issues, and build some momentum....

[Ryan S]

I am more interested in the rumors that Rahal and Ganassi are heading back to Champ Car.

[TLK]

Originally Posted by Ryan S

I am more interested in the rumors that Rahal and Ganassi are heading back to Champ Car.

I can't see Rahal or Ganassi making the switch. They could effectively end the split if they did decide to jump, leaving the IRL with 12 or 13 cars. It will be an interesting off-season and I believe that with the new chassis, ChampCar will have a higher car count next season.

[Galaxy]

Thank God she's staying in IRL. I couldn't listen to the lhype-fest in NASCAR if she came over.