Montoya to make NASCAR debut in Memphis

(CRIENGLISH.com)
Updated: 2006-10-18 13:43

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya is to make his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series race at Memphis at the end of this month.

Team Chip Ganassi Racing made the announcement Tuesday, disclosing that the former McLaren driver will pilot the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge in his third stock car race since switching from Formula One to NASCAR in July.

Montoya competed in his first stock car event in the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Talladega Superspeedway on October 6, where he grabbed the outside pole on his way to finishing third. He ran in the ARCA Series finale at Iowa Speedway on Sunday where he started third and finished 24th. He led 12 laps before making contact with another competitor that sent him behind the wall for repairs.

Montoya tested a NEXTEL Cup car at the Memphis track last week, and is currently participating in his first official NASCAR sanctioned test at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The Memphis Busch race is scheduled on Saturday, October 28.