Ganassi wants Montoya debut this year

The American team confirmed the news, revealed by autosport.com earlier today, that their former CART driver will return to the outfit on a long-term contact, driving in the NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch series.

But team boss Ganassi said they would rather Montoya began garnering experience in the American stock car racing this year.

If McLaren agree to release the Colombian as soon as the F1 season ends, then he could potentially take the start of up to four Busch races before the year-end.

The NASCAR season extends for a month after the Formula One season ends in mid-October, with four Busch races scheduled after the Brazilian Grand Prix - including the season finale at Homestead-Miami, Montoya's past and future residence.

"We'll run him in Busch and Nextel Cup next year to try and get him as much experience as quickly as possible," Ganassi told veteran motorsport journalist Robin Miller today. "We'll also try to work in some selected Busch events near the end of this season."

"He's bound by contract right now until the end of the Formula One season," Ganassi added, talking to the Associated Press. "We have some opportunities to do some things after that."

Ganassi revealed the deal was initiated "just last week" and negotiations were quick.

"We've obviously enjoyed some previous success, and that made it a lot easier. We had a very quick negotiation - if you can even call it that.

"It's nice to have somebody in your car who wants to be there, wants to be with your team, wants to be a part of it.

"He said, 'I want to get back to racing'. The guy loves racing. And what better place than here?

"It's going to be some work [for Montoya], but he's ready for it.

"It should be fun," Ganassi added. "Should be great."