Juan Pablo Montoya press conference
Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the 42 Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge, said he is ready for his first NASCAR Sprint Series Cup All-Star Race.
Montoya, along with team own Chip Ganassi, held a press conference around 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway to discuss the former Indy car driver’s experience at Saturday’s events so far.
“I think people are starting to realize how hard NASCAR is … ” Montoya said. “Everyone has received me with open arms her and it’s been a warm experience for me.”
Ganassi, who owns three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car and two Indy Racing League cars, discussed why his driver’s like Montoya, and NASCAR driver and former Indy car racer Dario Franchitti, who is currently nursing a foot injury, switched from open-wheeled racing to NASCAR.
“They’ve accomplished what they have to wanted to do and they’re looking for a new challenge,” Ganassi said.
Franchitti won’t participate in Saturday’s race and probably won’t make it back for next week’s Coca-Cola 600, Ganassi said.
-Josh Lanier