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