Montoya shifts to NASCAR

Of course, it's not the newest of news, but his quotes are interesting...the guy takes a pay cut from an 8 figure salary to run where he can race, trade a little paint, and have some fun ("At least here, you've got people cheering for you. We're out here racing."). Maybe he's got his priorities straight after all. Sounds like good advice no matter what the series.

JS Online:Montoya shifts to NASCAR: "Joliet, Ill. - He has won on Indy's legendary bricks and the fabled streets of Monaco.

Juan Montoya spent two seasons with the Ganassi Indy-car team and won 11 races, including a 2000 event at the Milwaukee Mile.
Quotable

Yes, Formula One is very exciting and the cars are very technological. But anyone that watches the races knows that's not the most exciting thing you can watch . . . no disrespect.

Now, after a 15-year career in open-wheel racing, Juan Pablo Montoya is ready to see how he stacks up on the high banks of Daytona, smash-'em-up short tracks like the one in Bristol, Tenn., and the sweeping mile-and-a-half ovals such as Chicagoland Speedway.

The 30-year-old Colombian will trade the international prestige of Formula One for the enjoyment and challenge of NASCAR, Montoya and car owner Chip Ganassi announced Sunday.

'It's about how much fun are you having . . . and what's your ultimate goal,' Montoya said. 'For me, it's racing.

'Yes, Formula One is very exciting and the cars are very technological. But anyone that watches the races knows that's not the most exciting thing you can watch . . . no disrespect.

'How hard is it to pass a car in Formula One? And you pass a car, you touch wheels and you're an animal.'

Montoya, who won a CART championship and an IndianapoMontoya, who won a CART championship and an Indianapolis 500 with Ganassi, will reunite with the owner later this season and then begin full time in 2007."