As reported by: PE.com
Juan Pablo Montoya has a request concerning his move from Formula One to NASCAR: patience.

The former Indianapolis 500 champion made his first test run as a stock car racer Monday at Talladega Superspeedway, beginning his transition from open wheel racing star to NASCAR neophyte.

Montoya arrives on the NASCAR scene knowing he'll face high expectations, and the Colombian driver promises he's in it for the long haul.

"It's a long-term deal because it's going to take time," said Montoya, who had raced for McLaren. "I think a lot of you guys are expecting me to go out and win my very first race. I don't think that's going to happen."




Montoya ran the Superspeedway in an ARCA Car for Chip Ganassi Racing, with whom he won the 2000 Indy 500 in his first try. Ganassi said he plans for Montoya to log as many miles as possible this season. He has also said he wants Montoya to run in ARCA, Busch and Nextel Cup races by the end of the season, but said Monday he didn't know yet where his first race would be.

The Talladega ARCA race is Oct. 6.

"I'm 100 percent committed to this, and this is the only thing I'm going to be doing," said Montoya, who has a home in Miami but lives in Monaco. "And we're going to need to make this work."

McLaren officials booted Montoya out of the car immediately after his stunning announcement that he was leaving his lucrative career in F1, but had refused to release him from his contract until over the weekend.


Article By: PE.com