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