33 replies to this topic

[MrJ]

From F1-Live!

Montoya to try his hand at NASCAR?
Prior to the Hungarian GP [01/08/02 - 02:47]




Juan Pablo Montoya

uan Pablo Montoya has achieved success at almost everything he has ever tried his hand at, winning the F3000 series in 1998 before moving on to the ChampCar series in the US to take the title there as well, in his rookie season. Now in Formula One, the Colombian secured his maiden victory in his debut year, a rare feat in itself given today's level of competition.

One other accomplishment this twenty-six year old driver has to his credit, is winning the famous Indy 500 and according to the latest reports, during the three week break prior to the next round on the Formula One calendar in Hungary, Juan Pablo is planning on revisiting the venue.

The BMW Williams driver is expected to try his hand at the American racing series, NASCAR, when he takes to the wheel of Jeff Gordon's number 24 Dupont on the 12th of August. Meanwhile, Gordon, the youngest ever in the modern era of NASCAR history to win the Winston Cup back in 1995, will take to the BMW Williams F1.

Partly sponsored by BMW, Juan Pablo will return to the scene of the Brickyard's oval layout, where he won the Indy 500 back in the year 2000, while Gordon will lap the infield created for the Formula One series.

This is interesting! Finally, Jeff Gordon, the most able NASCAR road racer (not exactly the most spectacular of distinctions I know) gets to try his hand at the wheel of an F1 car. This should be very interesting, as speculation as to how Gordon would actually do in an F1 car has varied. Furthermore, for those of us in the US, a publicity stunt like this should get some coverage on Speed News because it involves Gordon and also the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Looking forward to it as it should be something interesting in the long three week break.

Regards,

Mr.J

[Ross Stonefeld]

yeah....right

[MrJ]

Ross,

Please elaborate. Why do you doubt the possibility of this stunt happening?

Regards,

MrJ

[Ross Stonefeld]

1. Scheduling

2. Risk. Teams rarely let their drivers try other forms of motorsport. Thats why JV cant do Le Mans. They dont want something happening to them.

3. Sponsor/manufacturer. Gordon is GM's golden boy, I dont think they're going to let him do PR for BMW

[thornwell]

There are some credibility issues here-- why would this demonstration happen a week after the Brickyard 400? That doesn't make much sense.

Also, I did a quick scan of Nascar.com, brickyard400.com, google.com/news and jeffgordon.com and I didn't see a thing even hinting at this event, and Juan Montoya is well known enough in Nascar circles for this to get news coverage.

Another issue-the f1-live author didn't seem to be rewriting a press release, and provided no source or quotes for her information.

http://f1.racing-liv...801025107.shtml

That's the link.

I'd like to see this, but I'm skeptical.

[MrJ]

Ross,

As for your first point, it seems that it has been scheduled for the 12th of August.

As for your second point, this is quite different from JV trying Le Mans IMO. First off, doing a few laps in a BMW Williams F1 car is highly akin to driving a Le Mans Prototype for 24 Hours. Secondly, this is at a venue where the two respective forms of autoracing compete, and neither of them compete at Le Mans. Furthermore, I doubt that they would demean the image of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by claiming that it is too dangerous a venue on which to complete this PR Stunt. This is again different to Le Mans altogether.

I agree with your third point, but maybe there's something going on underneath coporately that we don't know about (like a whole lotta moola!)

I hope it goes through because its just something intriguing and interesting over this three week break.

Regards,

Mr.J

[MrJ]

Thornwell,

Thanks for pointing that out. Now that you mention it, it makes me a little skeptical as well, but like you I'm hopeful it'll go through.

Regards,

MrJ

[Julius]

They're billing this as a publicity stunt, but it is rumored that this is actually an effort on Sir Frank's and BMW's part to test the waters to see if Gordon in an F1 car is acceptable. It is rumored HP is aloso interested because they want an American Driver. It appears that perhaps BMW is trying to win a new American fan base and Frank is in it for the money that BMW and HP would provide. Ralf is rumoured to be expendable.

[Nathan]

Nothing has been put up at nascar.com ...but they did say Gordon has a cracked heel. So that there may end this.

[ebin]

Oddly enough Honda is arranging for Superbiker Nicky Hayden to take a spin in Micheal Andretti's Champ Car and vice versa. I think it's taking place at Mid Ohio or so. SPEED has the report on it.

[benn5325]

Originally posted by MrJ


This is interesting! Finally, Jeff Gordon, the most able NASCAR road racer (not exactly the most spectacular of distinctions I know) gets to try his hand at the wheel of an F1 car. This should be very interesting, as speculation as to how Gordon would actually do in an F1 car has varied. Furthermore, for those of us in the US, a publicity stunt like this should get some coverage on Speed News because it involves Gordon and also the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Looking forward to it as it should be something interesting in the long three week break.

Regards,

Mr.J

Come on, if this does happen they'll probably just ponce around track side by side at 50mph for some photos. PR crap.

[mikedeering]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld

2. Risk. Teams rarely let their drivers try other forms of motorsport. Thats why JV cant do Le Mans. They dont want something happening to them.

True, but poncing around Indy at 50mph is hardly the same as racing some rich wannabe racing driver (who is liable to crash into you) in daddy's Ferrari down the Mulsanne at 3am!

[Julius]

A news link posted on JPM'sofficial website talks about JPM's upcomming NASCAR ride and Jeff Grdan's upcomming BMW drive.

Looks like it's gonna happen.

http://www.jpmontoya.com/En/

[mhferrari]

Also reported at dailyf1.com.

[ebin]

This is going to be pretty cool.

I have really high regard for Gordon, if he didn't sign up with NASCAR I think we wouldn't be talking about which American driver to put in F1. He's probably the best American driver around but having driven those big stock cars around for so many years I'm just a wee bit nervous about seeing him on a road course with a F1 car. I'm praying that it works out well.

[thornwell]

Hey, I'm very happily wrong about this one. Ross, are you happily wrong too?

Maybe I'll even drive up to Indy to see it.

[Uncle Davy]

Originally posted by Nathan
...but they did say Gordon has a cracked heel.

Robby, not Jeff...

[JPMCrew]

Some how I still have doubts about this... I hope it's true though. I'd kill to see JPM or any other top F1 driver try their hand at the Daytona 500 one day.

[JVRACER]

Just tell Monty that he can go on the outside becouse we put on a special set of match tires...

and tell Gordy that in F1 , rubbin is not racin'....

[Julius]

Originally posted by JPMCrew
Some how I still have doubts about this... I hope it's true though. I'd kill to see JPM or any other top F1 driver try their hand at the Daytona 500 one day.

JPMCrew,

I'd like to see an F1 driver try out NASCAR, too - but not at Daytona. Personally, I think they'd get befuddled by all the inter-team and inter-driver relationships, etc. neede to insure a good draft to get to the front at the very end of the race (where it all happens, anyway). In short - they ain't "good 'ole boys" and, consequently, wouldn't stand a chance even if they were "perfect" and I think the farce called the "International Race of Champions" has demonstrated this for years.

Anyways, I bet the F1 guys would really shine in two type of NASCAR venues:

1. A NASCAR road-course race
2. A NASCAR "Bullring" race provided they had a good setup provided by an experienced driver/team.

Consequently, I bet a few NASCAR guys (e.g., Gordan and Stewart) could shine in F1 given a simialr set of circumstances and a lot of coaching (e.g., how about Jeff Gordan at Monza).

The important, and best,part is to enjoy the differences and similarities and, ultimately, to see what makes a driver a great racer despite the series. In the old days, drivers like Andretti just went racing (e.g., sprints, stock cars, Indy, F1 - screw the series - let's race!) and it was fun to watch. I think it would be fun to watch again.

[aportinga]

Publicity stunt to tap the NASCAR market?

Great idea regardless

[FordPrefect]

from the Indy Star

posed media event that will have Winston Cup's Jeff Gordon and Formula One's Juan Montoya switching cars for a practice session at the Speedway is having trouble landing a date.

The original date was Sept. 30, the day after the U.S. Grand Prix. But Speedway officials wanted to use the ride-swapping session as a promotional tool for the third annual event and pushed for Aug. 12.

A spokesperson for General Motors said the August date was good until word of a Montoya conflict came Thursday. The issue has not been resolved.

Said Gordon, who very much wants to crawl into an F-1 car: "Let's all keep our fingers crossed."

I would very much like to see this happen, it would remind me of the days when drivers had the opportunity try their hand at different series, plus I would be interested in their comments afterwards.

[maclaren]

Sounds interesting. I really liked to know what Nascar drivers can do, apart from racing their stock-cars on ovals

[Maranello Man]

I talked about this on the radio this AM. I think JPM will be closer to JG's times in the Monte Carlo than JG is to JPM in the Williams. I would be interested in hearing others opinions.

[Megatron]

Montoya is well known in the US and lives here during the winter, and considers this his "home" GP (no Columbian GP to go for) so it'll be great to see him tackle a stocker...but only for one day. We have too much fun watching him in open wheel cars!

[aportinga]

I have a call into a worthy source who has informed me that the deal is still in the works and by no means solidified.

If it does happen though I find out sooner then later. I am actually considering a drive from Chicago to Indy to watch if the Speedway allows spectators on to the in field/paddock. I am hoping that the fact this is a promotion, that we may get a chance to meet both drivers. Also since it is a Monday there may not be many folks there.

[indycarjunkie]

If they do allow seating to view the test it will likely only be in the South Terrace and handicap stands near the motorcycle parking lot by the mueseum. I'd love to go too but I won't take a day off from work for what may be only 30 minutes of track time streatched out over 4-5 hours.

[aportinga]

but I won't take a day off from work for what may be only 30 minutes of track time streatched out over 4-5 hours.

We could drink a ton in 4-5 hours though

Besides getting the opportunity to say "I told you he couldn't do **** in an F1 car" in Jeff Gordon's ear would be worth one less sick day.

[Bluehair]

I'm just curious, what keeps such a publicity stunt from being considered a test? Wouldn't that be illegal during such a ban? I'm sure it's all just for show, but there may be some useful tyre, engine, aero, or other data to be gained.

[thornwell]

Speaking of all this I got something in the mail inviting me to go drive my car around the Road Course at Indy.

Did anyone else get this? It came with my tickets. It's for a weekend that I'll be out of town, so I can't go.

(Actually, if anyone wants my pass they can have it. Just contact me and send me a SASE. ) But I imagine that everyone here already has one of these.

[Nasty McBastard]

Originally posted by Nathan
Nothing has been put up at nascar.com ...but they did say Gordon has a cracked heel. So that there may end this.

thats robbie not jeff

[aportinga]

My source indicates that there WILL NOT BE AN EVENT SUCH AS THIS ON THE 12th of THIS MONTH. However I can say that they are still discussing such a promotion for the future.

[Locai]

If this does actually happen, then Rick Hendrick and Sir Frank will both be holding their breaths through the whole thing.


There was a thread awhile back about who the best road racers are in NASCAR. Yes, there are a few of them, but not many.

[biercemountain]

Can you imagine a NASCAR road race on the F1 circuit at Indy?

What a scream that would be. Lap times would be so embarasingly slow compared to the F1 cars, not to mention all the convenient "yellow flags" that would bunch the field up.

Funny how F1 can run for two hours without a full course caution but CART and NASCAR can't manage to hold off the flag man for more than ten minutes.


Ahem.....back to the topic at hand.

I think Jeff Gordon is a world class driver who AT ONE POINT in his career could have become F1 material. It's probably too late for him to make the switch now (and why would he want to) but he's still a great f'ing driver.

For those who say he wouldn't have the car control, you've got to remember that he cut his teeth driving open wheel cars with well over five hundred horsepower, on deliberately slippery sufaces. That's not to say that World of Outlaws should be a feeder series for F1, but he's got the "balls" to drive a car at the limit. He's obviously one of the greatest NASCAR road racers in history which means he can turn right with some degree of skill.