BUSCH: Memphis: Round 32 preview

Montoya To Make Much-Anticipated Debut; Others Hope To Join Him

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 24) -- The testing is complete for Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge). Now comes his much-anticipated debut.

Montoya, a former Indianapolis 500 champion, and Formula 1 star, signed a multi-year deal with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in July.

He has participated in several tests in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series cars -- including at Memphis Motorsports Park -- and has competed in two ARCA RE/MAX events this month. He sat on the outside pole at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 6, finishing third. At Iowa Speedway on Oct. 15 he started third and led 12 laps before contact with another competitor relegated him to a 24th-place finish.

The 30-year old native of Colombia is anxious for his NASCAR debut.

"I am so happy to be entering the fastest-growing racing league in the world," he said. "I have a lot of confidence in my ability as a race car driver and in Chip and Felix as owners.

"I know the transition will not be easy, but I can't wait to get behind the wheel."

Montoya isn't the only driver aiming for his series debut at Memphis. He'll be joined by Timothy Peters (No. 29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet); Tim Schendel (No. 56 Power Equipment Co-Texpar Inc. Chevrolet) -- who won the Elite Division competition last weekend at the Toyota All-Star Showdown after capturing the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series title this year; Willie Allen (No. 14 FitzBradshaw Dodge) the track champion at Nashville's Music City Motorplex this season; Joey Miller (No. 99 Aaron's Dream Machine Dodge); Chuck Barnes Jr. (No. 07 Chevrolet), Brett Rowe (No. 05 31 W Insulation Chevrolet), Canadian D.J. Kennington (No. 72 McDonald Motorsports Chevrolet); Dexter Bean (No. 63 Ford) and Richard Landreth (No. 89 Romeo Guest Construction Ford).

-credit: nascar