| Famous Formula One racer Juan Pablo Montoya has | | | | Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. |
| officially turned in his keys and has embarked on a | | | | Formula One will miss a very talented and adored |
| new career in NASCAR. As of Tuesday July 11, | | | | driver, and NASCAR will gain a great driver with a |
| Montoya announced that he will be driving on Chip | | | | hugely diverse and international following. NASCAR |
| Ganassi's Nextel Cup team. Being that there are 4 | | | | officials have been looking to add diversity to their |
| Nextel Cup races left it is a sure thing that Montoya | | | | Nextel Cup races as announced earlier in the year and |
| will make his debut some time this year before the | | | | Juan Pablo will be a very welcome addition. This will |
| season ends. Rumor has it that this was purely a | | | | be a boon to NASCAR as it tries to maintain the |
| financial move as the potential growth and current | | | | remarkable growth it has seen in the past decade. By |
| earnings of NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers have far | | | | adding diversity they are looking to add to their fan |
| outweighed that of their Formula One counterparts. | | | | base and change the misconception that it is a |
| As announced in his latest press release, "Juan Pablo | | | | southern or redneck sport. With racetracks being built |
| is an exciting driver and immensely likeable character | | | | in Chicago, Las Vegas and California and races being |
| who will undoubtedly make a successful transition to | | | | held in new countries like Canada this will only help to |
| the NASCAR scene," said Ron Dennis, CEO and | | | | further diversify the sport. |
| Chairman of the McLaren Group. "We have agreed | | | | Yes, NASCAR still has a huge southern following and |
| that with so many things happening in Juan Pablo's life | | | | should be very thankful for it as this is the most |
| right now, he should take some time out of the car | | | | intensely loyal fan base of any sport. Montoya will |
| and prepare professionally and personally for the | | | | definitely add character, charm, and ability to the |
| future." His decision to join NASCAR has been well | | | | NASCAR crowd. He will also, undoubtedly, keep the |
| taken to by both NASCAR and Formula One. "We | | | | other NASCAR drivers on their toes with his |
| believe that Juan Pablo's decision to move to | | | | immense experience and superior open road skills. |
| NASCAR is very important for him professionally and | | | | Montoya's debut will definitely be a much anticipated |
| we will give him every support to ensure that it is a | | | | and welcome event for NASCAR fans everywhere. |
| successful transition," said Norbert Haug, | | | | |