The Question: Can Montoya survive in NASCAR?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that he lacks talent, but when your a successful open wheel driver, who was competitive in the Indy Racing League and Formula 1, it leaves me to question how he will do in NASCAR.

Money & Engineering:
NASCAR teams don’t have the luxury of spending the $100 million + that the Formula 1 teams spend every year. Yes, NASCAR is becoming a strong series based upon engineering, but it is nowhere near the level that Formula 1 has reached.

Seem like the majority of Formula 1 race team employees are engineers. Tire engineering and traction control you see in Formula 1, is not in NASCAR.

Rubbin’s Racin’:
There’s more contact in NASCAR, with more beating and banging especially in the closing stages of the race, which at many tracks the drivers have to use their bumper to help make the pass throughout the event. Along with that, a lot of the cars going a lap down don’t give way to the leader. Simply put, you have to earn every spot in NASCAR.

In Closing:
Montoya finished 11th in his Busch Series debut, dispite being involved in a wreck. He’s got a lot to learn, until he can challenge for wins. But I think he’ll make it in time.

I would love to see your comments & opinions on how Montoya will do in NASCAR.

Update (Nov 6, 2006):
I just got some new information on Montoya. Through my contacts in the sport, I can tell you that he (Montoya) is going to receive a lot of sponsorship money (est $25m) from Texaco/Havoline for his Chip Ganassi race team.

Chip Ganassi received a phone call from the top man at Texaco, which the man basically said “I don’t care what it cost to make him (Montoya) successful in NASCAR”.”

Chip then basically responded saying, “We’ll it will take at least $25 million ($25,000,000) to do the job”

So this will bring a interesting spin on how things will go for Montoya.