Juan Pablo Montoya Leaving F1 For Nextel Cup Ride In ’07

Ganassi (l) Inks Montoya To Multi-Year Deal To Drive In Nextel Cup Series

F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has signed a multi-year deal with Chip Ganassi Racing to join the NASCAR Nextel Cup series beginning in ‘07. Montoya will replace Casey Mears in the No. 42 Dodge and will become the first full-time F1 driver to join the Nextel Cup (Mult., 7/10). In Chicago, Ed Hinton reports Montoya earns $14M annually from the McLaren-Mercedes F1 team. Ganassi did not disclose what Montoya will earn in NASCAR, but top drivers “average about $5[M] a year in base salary and up to $10[M] in endorsements.” NASCAR President Mike Helton said Montoya joining NASCAR is “a historic moment” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/10).

SURPRISE PARTY: In Milwaukee, Dave Kallmann writes Montoya’s move “came as a surprise to the entire NASCAR community ... because of how quickly it all came together.” Ganassi said, “He called me up a couple of days ago and said, ‘Hey, you looking for a driver?’” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/10). In N.Y., Chris Sprow writes the move “is shocking for the racing community, as Montoya leaves a successful career” in F1. He also won the ’00 Indianapolis 500 and the ’99 CART series championship. Montoya “expressed not only an enthusiasm to join the Nextel Cup racing circuit, but disenchantment with [F1], the schedule, and the competitiveness on the circuit.” He also will bring “a Latin presence to the NASCAR circuit,” as he lives in Miami and is from Colombia (N.Y. TIMES, 7/10). In L.A., Jim Peltz writes Montoya’s decision “underlines how NASCAR’s soaring popularity is becoming alluring to drivers in other forms of racing.” Peltz notes last week former F1 champion and ’95 Indy 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve “expressed interest in a NASCAR career.” Montoya also could “help NASCAR, which has predominantly white male drivers, deflect criticism that it lacks diversity” (L.A. TIMES, 7/10).

Montoya To Play Large Part In NASCAR’s Efforts To Gain Foothold In Latin Markets

LATIN FLAVOR: In K.C., Jim Pedley writes the move “makes NASCAR instantly more visible in Spanish-speaking countries.” Montoya said, “To be able to help NASCAR expand into the Latin market with a Hispanic driver is good. I think we’re all winners here” (K.C. STAR, 7/10). USA TODAY’s Nate Ryan writes, “For a series that has strived to soften its Southern accent, Montoya will bring the worldwide star power and allure of being a winner in [F1].” Helton said that his arrival “would propel the push to diversify ‘by leaps and bounds.’” NASCAR driver Kyle Petty estimated that Montoya “drew about a third of the crowd in his F1 debut at [the U.S. Grand Prix July 2], which has attracted more than 100,000 annually” (USA TODAY, 7/10). Hinton appeared on ESPN2’s “Cold Pizza” today and said, "NASCAR is starving for Hispanic audiences in the U.S. and all the way through the Western Hemisphere. Juan Pablo Montoya brings with him an enormous following all up and down the Western Hemisphere. This is an automatic one point bump in NASCAR's TV ratings" ("Cold Pizza," ESPN2, 7/10).

IS DANICA NEXT? Hinton, in a separate piece, reports IRL driver Danica Patrick’s father and manager, T.J., was at the Nextel Cup USG Sheetrock 400 yesterday, “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.” T.J. Patrick: “I’m trying to get her (into NASCAR). ... We’re just talking to everybody and seeing what’s shaking here.” T.J. was a guest of Roush Racing, and he said that he “had talked with another well-financed team.” Patrick’s contract with Rahal-Letterman Racing ends at the end of the season, and in addition to NASCAR, the Patricks are “negotiating with other IRL teams and appear unlikely to renew with Rahal-Letterman.” Team co-Owner Bobby Rahal declined comment (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/10). Hinton said Patrick is “the only rockstar in the poor Indy Racing League. She could join all the other U.S. racing rockstars in NASCAR" (ESPN2, 7/10).