Beyond the Flag
Fansided

IndyCar: Four Drivers That Will Surprise You In 2017

By Dominic Lee

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin now hosts NASCAR, IndyCar, and sports car racing each year. Do they have space for F1 too? Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin now hosts NASCAR, IndyCar, and sports car racing each year. Do they have space for F1 too? Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Jul 17, 2015; Newton, IA, USA; IndyCar Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya (2) during practice for the Iowa Corn 300 at Iowa Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2015; Newton, IA, USA; IndyCar Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya (2) during practice for the Iowa Corn 300 at Iowa Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Juan Pablo Montoya

Juan Pablo Montoya is stepping away from full-time Indy Car’s to drive Sports Cars.

Montoya, 41, had been asked by Team Penske Owner, Roger Penske, if he’d be willing to go help start Team Penske’s Sports car program while also running a one-off in the Indianapolis 500.

Montoya, a Bogota, Colombia native, finished eighth this season in the point standings but wanted one more full season in IndyCars to run for a championship after coming so close in 2015 and tying with Scott Dixon only to lose out by virtue of a tie. Team President Tim Cindric said Montoya never wanted to leave Team Penske but wanted to explore his options,

"“He didn’t want to leave the team but wanted to see what else was out there,” Cindric said. “After giving it some thought, he told me the best opportunity was to run Indy with Team Penske, so if the offer still stood, that is what he wanted to do.”"

It remains a question to see what all lies ahead for Montoya in 2017 besides his Indy start for Team Penske and helping get their Sports car program off and running, but whatever it may be, you can be sure to get all the latest updates at Beyond The Flag.