Montoya doing well in first demo

Topics:  Juan Pablo Montoya, Ford 400

Alfred Johnson
November 21, 2006

At last Sunday’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Formula One defector qualified for his first Nextel Cup race, placing himself on NASCAR's biggest stage of the race.

After competing in two ARCA races and four Busch Series contests, Montoya made his Nextel Cup debut and was running steadily in mid-pack. The Colombian native was as high as 13th on lap 220 and was battling for 20th position when he ran into the back of Newman's Dodger Charger, sending it spinning through the grass on lap 248.

Steve Boyer served as Montoya's crew chief Sunday and was impressed with the quick transition his driver made before his car became a fiery heap. Boyer said the competitors raced Montoya the same as any other Nextel Cup driver, but it is likely the Colombian will get some additional attention in the early stages of his stock-car development.

Montoya, who was formally a F1 driver decided to make the NASCAR jump, despite of his high paychecks and international exposure. Montoya declared that he walked away from a lucrative deal with McLaren due to his thirst of new challenges and was tired of the stiff-upper-lip open-wheel circuit.

Montoya has built a reputation as a hasty and aggressive driver, but both he and Ganassi said they'd steer clear of points leaders still chasing the championship Sunday to avoid making enemies.

About the author Alfred Johnson provides all sports fans with the most recent a up to date news information in the sports world. Mr. Johnson has been an exceptional article writer for www.bookemdirect.com

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