204 replies to this topic

[Ravenak]

Dumped by Ganassi, where is JPM gonna go?

I've always hoped to see him come back into F1, but this just isn't going to happen. Some see him back in IndyCar, others say he should retire.

Where to?

Edited by Ravenak, 14 August 2013 - 09:31.

[Ravenak]

Arghh, someone used "JPM" as another thread title, that's why I didn't find it. Sorrezzzz

[LuckyStrike1]

Another ride in NASCAR

Sportscars in US with Ganassi

Retirement

Forget about F1 and IndyCar.

[ScuderiaSV1]

I would love to see him join WEC just like webber!

[Ravenak]

I would love to see him join WEC just like webber!

A Porsche teamup then?

[dierome87]

I would love to see him join WEC just like webber!

He's never driven for small teams and since there are no top team vacancies at the moment, I highly doubt that he'll stay in NASCAR. Maybe he'll do sportscars with Ganassi. However, that depends on the state of the relationship now (the way the announcement was made suggests that it is probably broken).

If not, he'll probably retire.

There's no way he's going to Europe. He has a family and is based in the US now.

[PNSD]

Last 5 races he's been amazing. Plus narrowly missing out on a win or two! Jamie Mac has been arguably the point collector, but slower!

[Muppetmad]

I'd love to see him back in IndyCar - the series is already very competitive, add in Montoya and you'd see some incredible racing and competition.

[dhill39]

I would love for him to stay in NASCAR,anything else would be a step down for him.

[Baddoer]

Too fat to fit in the cockpit

[Ravenak]

Too fat to fit in the cockpit

That's not a real problem. In one summer (in the Southern hemisphere), you can get rid of all the excess.

[The Kanisteri]

Montoya to Ferrari?

You heard it first here.

[DampMongoose]

Wherever he goes, let's hope nobody breaks his f*****g head on the way!

[krapmeister]

Too fat to fit in the cockpit

Not for drag racing he isn't - he can eat all the burgers he wants. I'd love to see Montoya in a Nitro FC!

[JHSingo]

I would love to see him join WEC just like webber!

I was going to ask whether he'd need to lose some weight to make that happen, but somebody's beaten me to it.

[chdphd]

He could join Stock Car Brasil and be with a few of his old F1 pals

[Frank Grimes]

Not for drag racing he isn't - he can eat all the burgers he wants. I'd love to see Montoya in a Nitro FC!

Drag racing would totally fit his flat out driving style. Driving in Nascar seems to require a lot patience (notice I didn't say racing). There's a lot time just burning laps making sure you preserve tires (sound familiar?) which I think suits Montoya about as much as playing small forward in the NBA.

[Disgrace]

I'd love to see him back in IndyCar - the series is already very competitive, add in Montoya and you'd see some incredible racing and competition.

This would be quite amazing.

[BillyWhizz]

Dumped by Ganassi, where is JPM gonna go?

I've always hoped to see him come back into F1, but this just isn't going to happen. Some see him back in IndyCar, others say he should retire.

Where to?

Somewhere we can see him again! I really miss him from F1 (because of the man as much as the racer) but accept that his time there has passed. The WEC suggestion would be ideal for him, although coming down from however many races he contests annually in Nascar to a championship with only 8 rounds this year, I 'd be worried that he'd find something else to do in the gaps between races. Like eat!

Still love to see him somewhere with a profile.

[discover23]

Big news of the day. This should have happened two years ago..

[Bloggsworth]

Father Christmas at Hamleys?

[dierome87]

Big news of the day. This should have happened two years ago..

The sad thing about it all is that in 2009 or 2010, there were rumours linking him to Joe Gibbs Racing. He had a decent reputation among the teams back then.

He should have jumped ship and would definitely won at least 1 oval race.

But now it seems he really is past his sell-by date.

In the US, he is better known as the guy who crashed into the jet dryer at the 2012 Daytona 500. That's just sad.

[Zippel]

In the US, he is better known as the guy who crashed into the jet dryer at the 2012 Daytona 500. That's just sad.

Silly Fat Montoga.

[Diablobb81]

Indy please.

[dierome87]

Maybe this is just what he needs. Perhaps some of the hunger (pun not intended) from his CART and early F1 years will come back.

He's been too comfortable for far too long at EGR. As people at the NASCAR forum have described it, he has looked in semi-retirement mode. He was paid better at EGR than in his F1 years!!!

[tkulla]

Count me in as voting for Indycar. That series is on the way up again and Montoya is too talented a driver not to do well there. It's a pay cut for sure but he should have plenty of money by now.

[Jimisgod]

Rue that he didn't make a Kimi-like comeback around 2008?

[whitewaterMkII]

I'd have to guess that with the fanbase he's generated worldwide, unlike a US based fanbase, he's got a good shot at getting a top flight seat in NASCAR as a pretty god sponsor draw. I would imagine that Target was not consulted on this, they were pretty happy w/ Montoya AFAIK.
Who did Stewy get to replace Newman, or is he cutting back to a two car Danica/Stewy operation, is that seat open for JPM?
EDIT: Don't be surprised if JPM is offered a one off Ganassi ride at Indy next year...

Edited by whitewaterMkII, 14 August 2013 - 17:14.

[LuckyStrike1]

Kevin Harvick is driving for Stewart-Haas together with Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick. The #39 car will be changed to the #4 car.

[whitewaterMkII]

Kevin Harvick is driving for Stewart-Haas together with Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick. The #39 car will be changed to the #4 car.

Thanks...Forgot about Rich Children Racing dumping him...

[pingu666]

harvick left, not pushed

[Risil]

As people at the NASCAR forum have described it

Hear that guys? You're a whole forum now!

[Risil]

JPM racing in Indycar feels suspiciously like Alonso-to-Red-Bull wish fulfillment to me. But then again, if a full season in USCR appeals to him I don't see why Indycar in its present state wouldn't. The oval-racing-is-unsafe perception has begun to subside with the DW12 and the current crop of frontrunners would be a tempting challenge.

Surely if Montoya was changing roles at Ganassi the news would've been handled differently though? This all seems very awkward and ignominious in the way that the "JPM leads Ganassi USCR challenge" or "Montoya returns to the scene of his greatest victory" stories clearly aren't.

He wants to stay in NASCAR, I feel.

[jonpollak]

Hear that guys? You're a whole forum now!

We certainly are Ollie...

Now,
My sources in the paddock have Juanito going to Consuela's Party Planners as a kids birthday entertainer.

Jp

[discover23]

it was unexpected news by JPM based on the tweet from Connie from yesterday.

[LuckyStrike1]

Thanks...Forgot about Rich Children Racing dumping him...

To the big dissapointment to RCR Harvick left to join Stewart-Haas. Quite a blow to RCR on the driving side.

[tkulla]

Makes me wonder if Chip offered him an Indycar drive as he was pulling away the NASCAR one. I hope not, because that means that Juan Pablo has said "no" to Indycar already.

[Disgrace]

JPM racing in Indycar feels suspiciously like Alonso-to-Red-Bull wish fulfillment to me. But then again, if a full season in USCR appeals to him I don't see why Indycar in its present state wouldn't. The oval-racing-is-unsafe perception has begun to subside with the DW12 and the current crop of frontrunners would be a tempting challenge.

Surely if Montoya was changing roles at Ganassi the news would've been handled differently though? This all seems very awkward and ignominious in the way that the "JPM leads Ganassi USCR challenge" or "Montoya returns to the scene of his greatest victory" stories clearly aren't.

He wants to stay in NASCAR, I feel.

Can't disagree with this.

[John B]

Interesting timing being sacked right after the last road race. Wonder if Chip set that as his last chance to get a win or at least keep his ride.

Unfortunate that he lost a likely oval win at Richmond earlier to a last-minute caution, but that's par for the course for many NASCAR races.

[whitewaterMkII]

Interesting timing being sacked right after the last road race. Wonder if Chip set that as his last chance to get a win or at least keep his ride.

Unfortunate that he lost a likely oval win at Richmond earlier to a last-minute caution, but that's par for the course for many NASCAR races.

Also unfortunate he ran out of gas w/ the checkers in sight...

[Andrew Hope]

Love to see him try and squeeze himself into an IndyCar, almost as much as I'd love if he started racing in IndyCar. I think he'll stay in NASCAR though, maybe only part-time though.

[Eff One 2002]

Silly Fat Montoga.

Oi! Watch it, son...

I'd love to see him come over here and compete in our V8 Supercars. He could be Craig Lowndes' team-mate again maybe...

[Dilla]

http://espn.go.com/r...-ganassi-racing

I don't think Montoya intends to retire. If Montoya WANTS to stay in NASCAR, his best shot would probably be the 47, but their first choice would be Allmendinger (who could obviously decide to return to open wheel). RPM could be a distant longshot, since Ambrose has an opt out clause in his contract, but he said that he loves his team and was committed to Richard Petty. Almirola's contract is unknown but he is 10 years younger and is beating Montoya in the points with the same tier equipment (but he doesn't have the near-wins Montoya got or the road course ability).

So right now, I'll say:

1.) USCR somewhere
2.) IndyCar (if he can fit)
3.) JTG #47
4.) Other
5.) Retirement

Edited by Dilla, 14 August 2013 - 21:20.

[Ross Stonefeld]

I think it depends on where other people go.

If someone like Kurt Busch ends up in the 42, the 78 I can see being driven by Montoya. There's not really sponsor commitments to speak of so he'd be happy, they're flirting with Toyota (who no doubt still love JPM from the CART days), they'd really struggle to find someone better than Montoya(unless they grab Newman) etc.

I think that Newman is out there hunting is a problem, but he seems RCR-bound.

[William Hunt]

who will replace Montoya at Earnhardt-Ganassi next year?

Edited by William Hunt, 14 August 2013 - 22:25.

[BiH]

Career probably over.


I doubt he would go to Indy car,

he might do so some grand am racing but considering ganassi split timing it seems like it ended on sour note.

Edited by BiH, 15 August 2013 - 00:09.

[Imperial]

I made a point of watching Nascar Tonight, or whatever it's called, for the first time ever tonight (on ESPN UK).

They barely even mentioned it, he was just one of many names mentioned as being on the driver market for 2014. His name was literally said in passing, there was no news item about him, no story. I can only conclude that in the USA he simply is not news worthy.

[V3TT3L]

Montoyo still is a devil behind the wheel , as proves this year's Rolex Daytona 24H.

My guess is he will stay in 'Merica since his son is starting to race in Go Karts at the NC Motorplex.

John Paul is out of Nascar, not out of Ganassi.

[biercemountain]

F1 - Not a chance regardless of the way he left McLaren. He's too old and too far removed from the sport.

Indy - Doubtful. Been there, done that, won it all.

Nascar - Probably, if he can secure a decent seat. The pay's good and he can stay in North Carolina.

United Sports Car - Who knows. I'm sure a lot of ALMS and Grand Am team owners would be interested in a known hot shoe like JPM.

This should be interesting.

[glorius&victorius]

Playing tennis!! (isnt that what he does in his spare time? or that was what he told Ron..)

I´d love to see Montoya arguing with the umpire.. and then engage the audience in his discussions.