Juan Pablo Montoya to join Dodge's NASCAR program?...

[hemi68charger]

Per jayski.com : 
Troy

Dodge's Response to the signing of Montoya: Mike Accavitti, Director of Dodge SRT and Motorsports Marketing, comments on Juan Pablo Montoya joining Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in 2007. "We're thrilled to have Juan Pablo Montoya join the Dodge Motorsports family and the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. We've had the honor of having him drive for our McLaren Mercedes program in F1 and to now add him to our roster in NASCAR really demonstrates how we integrate our motorsports programs around the world. He is a tremendously talented driver who has succeeded in every series in which he has competed, and we're confident that he will quickly adapt to a Dodge Charger and oval track racing. We're also excited about the loyal following of F1 fans he will bring to NASCAR and Dodge. He is a popular driver around the world, and this brings excellent visibility for the Dodge brand in number of countries. Hats off to Chip Ganassi for a great addition to his team. We look forward to seeing Juan Pablo in victory lane."

[RD]

that's cool... I wonder how he will do?  cannot wait to see.

[Shakey]

But he's not American!     

[mopar1968]

Sad, very sad for F1 that they let real tallent go.  Hopefully he won't get dizzy going around in those circles that Nascar does....

[greenpigs]

F1...whats that?

[73chgrSE]

NASCAR is outgrowing America. They're going international in every way. Toyota's coming to cup. Busch races in Mexico city. How about a NASCAR race at Lemans. That would be cool.

[Nacho-RT74]

But he's not American!     

Sorry to tell you this... America is from Canada up to Chile/Argentina

So strictly geographically talking, he is from Colombia... he IS American


I know is a joke...but I'm "re-joking"

I think you ppl can still fighting about Toyota in Nascar what is not American Brand, but Montoya is American ...

Sad, very sad for F1 that they let real tallent go.  Hopefully he won't get dizzy going around in those circles that Nascar does....

The problem is that is not the same trace real circuits where you have to know when and where brake, change gears and press gas pedal again etc... than Donuts circuits where you only needs to know where release the gas pedal

For that reason, he blowed out several engines... a real driver knows the limits.

I'm not a USA Donuts car controlled circuits fan, yes sorry, But I wish to know what the helll those drivers thought when Nigel Mansel arrived to USA circuits after win the F1 Championship with Williams/Renault... THAT GUY WAS REALLY MAD LOL...

[mopar1968]

F1...whats that?

Stop it.....

F1  = The best racing on the planet! 
CART = Next best racing on the planet.
IRL = Ok, if the first two aren't on.
NASCAR = Good to see what happens to family cars when wrecked.

Ok, I'm biased as a former Mechanic for a CART Team.  But, com'on....  NASCAR and Montoya??  That's like Peanut Butter and Starbucks.....

[Nacho-RT74]

F1...whats that?

Stop it.....

F1  = The best racing on the planet! 
CART = Next best racing on the planet.
IRL = Ok, if the first two aren't on.
NASCAR = Good to see what happens to family cars when wrecked.

Ok, I'm biased as a former Mechanic for a CART Team.  But, com'on....  NASCAR and Montoya??  That's like Peanut Butter and Starbucks.....

DAMN!!! I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD SEE THIS KIND OF POST HERE... GOOD CALL. TOTALLY AGREE

but wait... are you from USA or Not ?

[mopar1968]

F1...whats that?

Stop it.....

F1  = The best racing on the planet! 
CART = Next best racing on the planet.
IRL = Ok, if the first two aren't on.
NASCAR = Good to see what happens to family cars when wrecked.

Ok, I'm biased as a former Mechanic for a CART Team.  But, com'on....  NASCAR and Montoya??  That's like Peanut Butter and Starbucks.....

DAMN!!! I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD SEE THIS KIND OF POST HERE... GOOD CALL. TOTALLY AGREE

but wait... are you from USA or Not ?

Yep, born and bred!!  Cut me and I bleed red, white and blue with a hint of Methanol....

I used to favor NASCAR when I was younger, so I don't hold a grudge.  To each his own!  But after working for a Champ Car (CART) team and experiencing the difference, OH MY GOD!  My biggest hope in the near future is reunification for CART and IRL.  NASCAR still fills a need too though.  Need to put those 40+ year old drivers somewhere...

[Nacho-RT74]

more impresive then that somebody from USA, admits so easily F1 is the best

[mopar1968]

more impresive then that somebody from USA, admits so easily F1 is the best

Talent and technology is hard to hide. 

Just because the USA has been the leader of everything else, doesn't mean that we can't appreciate others that surpass us in something....Even Jeff Gordon spoke in length about the huge difference between the two series.  We do have Scott Speed in F1.  He is with a lessor team than say that of Ferrari, but an American none the less.

If you can not lead, why not learn?

[Brock Samson]

I'm more a road racing fan myself...  Then any kind'a NASCAR these days... Of course Drag Racing is my number one... 
  Does anyone remember Formula 5000?..
some of the first races i went to as a young teenager at sears point
it was supposed to be the american F-1 series and it morphed into indy/CART a few seasons after it began...
I was wondering if anyone else remembers Nigels' tear over here.
I was a huge Lorenzo Banadini Fan, back in the day...
thanks Natch, '68 and Green for holding up our end...

[89MOPAR]

 Too bad the Busch race commentators didn't seem to want to be in Mexico.  Hopefully Montoya gets wally dallenbach in the CART 2 seater car and has him SH*t his pants.   Good move for Ganassi.   Bad move for McLAren Mercedes.   Montoya will be in the "race for the chase" within 2 years of full time schedule I predict.

[73chgrSE]

That will likely depend on his crew chief too. Ganassi's weak point "IMO" is lack luster crew chiefs. I don't know how many times they've blown a win because of bad desions.

[Nacho-RT74]

Bad move for McLAren Mercedes.   Montoya will be in the "race for the chase" within 2 years of full time schedule I predict.

around 6 years since Montoya began on F1, and he didn't do anything but blow and crash cars.

Fernando Alonso, A LOT YOUNGER and 4 years on F1 just blowed engines first year he started one Renault, and already won a Championship at his second Renault season...  second one is coming. Next year will be with MacLaren-Mercedes... still think is a bad move ? Naaaaaaaah, I don't think so. Plus, Alonso has more Fans... marketing is also there.

[89MOPAR]

 If you look at Montoyas point total though in those 6 years.... plus he is a fun driver to watch.
I suppose when JPM was in CART, Ganassi basically was the crew cheif.
I think it is a bad move if McLaren has not confirmed Raikonnen stays with them , which so far they haven't.  Raikonnen 2nd in championship twice and last year blisteringly fast - how many times did he start in bottom half due to motor failure and place in 1st 2nd or 3rd ?  A lot .

[Nacho-RT74]

Oh well, F1 moves a lot of money, is the more expensive sport in the world to play and sell/buy on marketing etc... I don't think MacLaren wants a funny driver beside an effective one LOL.

Just opinions, I'm not an expert.

Montoya has been on two of the powerfull brands doing nothing... Alonso started good on a lower profile brand untill arrived to Renault, what is not the more powerfull of all even is a very good one.

Let's see what it happens.

[The Ghoul]

F1...whats that?

Stop it.....

F1  = The best racing on the planet! 
CART = Next best racing on the planet.
IRL = Ok, if the first two aren't on.
NASCAR = Good to see what happens to family cars when wrecked.

Ok, I'm biased as a former Mechanic for a CART Team.  But, com'on....  NASCAR and Montoya??  That's like Peanut Butter and Starbucks.....

you forgot about rally

I personally think that he was a dick in F1, and now he will be a cockey dick, thinking that he is better than every one else.

[Danny Gutierrez]

F1...whats that?

Stop it.....

F1  = The best racing on the planet! 
CART = Next best racing on the planet.
IRL = Ok, if the first two aren't on.
NASCAR = Good to see what happens to family cars when wrecked.

Ok, I'm biased as a former Mechanic for a CART Team.  But, com'on....  NASCAR and Montoya??  That's like Peanut Butter and Starbucks.....

Well to each their own I guess.  I personally like just about every kind of racing, being a car guy and all, but F1 just doesn't excite me.  Sure the cars are super and the drivers are excellent but I'll take NASCAR or NHRA over F1 any day of the week.  I guess I like the "rawness" and downhome feel (well not so much anymore) of stock cars and drag racing.  It's kinda like when I argue with my buddies over my Charger vs. new sportscars.  Sure the modern cars are superior in many ways, but c'mon, it's a classic Charger.   

[Nacho-RT74]

I would love to see a REAL STOCK cars racing championship, including ALL the brands.

[The Ghoul]

I would love to see a REAL STOCK cars racing championship, including ALL the brands.

I would too,
dodge might have a shot at actully winning something.
OOPS, never mind, the McLaren F1 would qualify along with the enzo and all the other big money cars, only to be wooped by the atom.
Man I'm still impressed with that car!
http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/04/frames.htm
http://www.autocar.co.uk/popups/video.asp?AR=215770
0-100-0 in 10.88 

[73chgrSE]

I would love to see a REAL STOCK cars racing championship, including ALL the brands.

Let's shut down I-40 for a couple days and have a "cannonball run" type race from coast to coast with normal cars. That would be worth watching.