| Shocker: Montoya to Ganassi | | Date Created: Jul 09, 2006, 12:35 PM |
 Well done to Chip Ganassi, who has hired current McLaren/Mercedes F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya to drive his #42 car beginning next season. In one move, Ganassi has done more for NASCAR's anemic 'diversity' program than all other elements combined. The news also brings NASCAR to the front page of sports pages around the world, especially in South America.
Ganassi and Montoya have history, including a CART Champ Car championship and an Indy 500 win. There is absolutely no question Montoya can wheel a car, but the elements that may make or break the combination is Ganassi's inability to put a winning Cup car on the track to match his open wheel success, and Montoya's ability to handle the demands of a 36-race grind.
Monotya has seemingly matured lately, but the fact remains he had prickly relations with his last two F1 teams. He can be moody and difficult at times, and I don't envy his media relations rep for next year and beyond. While he drove a handful of touring car races for Mercedes in his early career development, he will have to work hard to adapt to fenders and a roof over his head. But, he does seem to be among the handful of drivers that seems to have a knack for speed and feel no matter what machine he's in.
This gains NASCAR a level of awareness and respect around the world as one of the fastest men on four wheels joins the Cup circus. And, many of the already inadequate track media centers will surely be bursting at the seems with the influx of Latin American media that will follow the Colombian's every move.
I can't wait - and it will be a great storyline for 2007 and beyond. My biggest question: will he remain as "Juan Pablo Montoya" - or will he change back to his 'American' name of Juan Montoya as he used in Champ Car? |
 Foreign Relations: Another foreigner that has impressed is Australian Marcos Ambrose. Ambrose packed up his young family and moved to the states to look for a NASCAR ride after a very successful touring car career. He seemingly improves each week in the Craftsman Truck Series, including a pole for last night's Kentucky Speedway event. If he continues at his current rate of improvement, look for another non-American in the Cup ranks in the next few years.
Family Relations: Check out David Poole's lead column from today's Charlotte Observer about Dale Jr., his mom and sister Kelley. Well done, David.
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