Ganassi admits road course concern

When Montoya made his shock NASCAR switch, the expectation was that he would shine on the road courses given his single-seater background, but would find the transition to stock car oval racing harder.

Although Montoya achieved great success on ovals during his Champ Car seasons, the majority of his career has been spent on traditional road courses.

But Ganassi believes that this could actually be a hindrance, and that Montoya will have to forget all that he is accustomed to.

"We haven't had him on a road course yet at all," said Ganassi. "He's going to be in road racing situations and quite frankly I think that's going to be the most difficult for him.

"I think he's going to have to learn you can't lean on these cars road racing like you can Formula cars.

"Can you go quickly for a long time? That's a different set of parameters."

The NASCAR Nextel Cup features road course rounds at Sears Point and Watkins Glen, while the Busch Series - which Montoya will also contest when possible - will visit Mexico City and Montreal in 2007.

Montoya finished 14th in last night's Busch round on the Homestead oval, and will start 29th for his first Nextel Cup event this afternoon.