Gordon tips Montoya for success

Renowned Formula One fan Gordon once swapped cars with the Colombian for a promotional event in Indianapolis in 2003. Gordon tried a Williams F1 car while Montoya got to driver his NASCAR Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Gordon, who records all Formula One races and watches them during his spare time on a NASCAR weekend, believes that although Montoya faces a steep learning curve he can rise to the challenge.

"I've spoken to Juan Pablo a couple times at some of the F1 races that I've been to," Gordon said.

"He and I, when we swapped cars at Indianapolis a couple years back, and I thought he did a great job in my car then. It showed me that he's got a lot of talent and he's going to bring a lot of talent. I think that he brings a lot more than that.

"I don't know if there's ever been an F1 driver leave F1 for NASCAR, especially a top guy, and I think that I respect him a lot for making that kind of move.

"It's going to be a big challenge for him because driving his car, since I drove it, it's so much different than our cars, and it was one thing to drive it on a road course, him driving my car on a road course.  It's a whole other deal when you get on oval around 43 other cars.

"But he knows he's talented and he's got a team that's committed to him.  Over time you're going to see him really come to the fore. It's going to be a long road, but he's going to do a fantastic job, and it's great for the sport."