Montoya Scheduled to Test NEXTEL Cup Car in Homestead
CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 12, 2006) Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced today it plans to have Juan Pablo Montoya test one of the team's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Dodge Chargers at Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS) on Oct. 17-18. The HMS test is the final session of the NASCAR-determined testing schedule for 2006. Montoya's CGRFS teammates Casey Mears (Oct. 16-17), Reed Sorenson (Oct. 16-17) and David Stremme (Oct. 17-18) will also be testing at the 1.5-mile speedway in preparation for the NEXTEL Cup Series season finale on Nov. 19.
"I'm excited to get some more laps in the NEXTEL Cup car," said Montoya. "All of my testing so far has been extremely beneficial, but obviously this will be one of the most important as we prepare to compete full time in the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge in 2007. This will be my first test with all my teammates present and I look forward to their assistance and feedback."
In July, Montoya announced that he would be teaming up with former open-wheel boss Chip Ganassi, only this time driving stock cars. From 1999-2000, Montoya recorded 10 wins driving for Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) in the CART Series. His career highlights with CGR include Rookie of the Year honors and the CART Championship in 1999, and a victory in the 2000 Indy Racing League's Indianapolis 500.
Montoya was officially released from his Formula One contract in September and quickly began a rigorous testing schedule beginning with an ARCA test at Talladega Superspeedway. His first official race driving a stock car came in the ARCA RE/MAX event at Talladega on Oct. 6, where Montoya finished third after starting from the outside pole driving the No. 4 Texaco/Havoline Dodge entry. In addition, Montoya recently tested the Car of Tomorrow on Oct. 9 in Talladega and a NEXTEL Cup car at Memphis Motorsports Park on Oct. 10 and is scheduled to compete in the ARCA RE/MAX event at Iowa Speedway on Oct. 15.