Juan Montoya Testing for Ganassi

Ex-Formula One star Juan Pablo Montoya began his duties as driver of the 42 Texaco Havoline Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing's NASCAR team. A.J. Allmendinger impressive.

On Monday, Juan Pablo Montoya officially began his career as a stock car driver. The former open-wheel star (Formula One, Champ Car) opted to jump on the NASCAR Nextel Cup bandwagon when the recognizable #42 Texaco Havoline Dodge lost it's current driver Casey Mears for 2007.

The move was staggering considering that Chip Ganassi already has two rookies, David Stremme and Reed Sorenson, on his current driver roster. Montoya will be a rookie in every sense of the word when he attempts to qualify for the Daytona 500 next February.

Montoya tested a Chip Ganassi prepared ARCA car at Talladega, and appeared to be a little overwhelmed.

"It was like, 'Oh, my God," Montoya said. "I came out of the pits and I went into (turn) 3 and 4. I just went full-throttle and went into it. It felt pretty quick. It moves a lot more than what I'm used to."

Montoya will be guided by Donnie Wingo and Brad Parrott throughout his daunting conversion to stock cars.

Last week, Montoya was released from his Formula One obligations.

At New Hampshire a couple of weeks ago, 5-time Champ Car winner A.J. Allmendinger finished an impressive 13th at the 1.058-mile oval.

Allmendinger could be the next open-wheel star to attempt NASCAR. Paul Tracy and Michel Jourdain Jr have recently attempted the laborious transition.

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