Montoya enters rough world of NASCAR

Juan Pablo Montoya is a changed man as he starts a full-time career in the comparatively rough and tumble world of NASCAR stock car racing.

The firebrand Colombian, reunited with his Indy 500-winning owner Chip Ganassi, drives a 3400-pound Dodge stock car instead of the sleek McLaren-Mercedes he raced in Formula One last year.

His reputation grew when he co-drove a sports car to victory in the 24 Hours of Daytona last month.

On Thursday he led 18 of 60 laps in qualifying for the Daytona 500, but had to retire with a broken wheel hub. He will start in 36th place in The Great American Race today.

It seems like a love-fest in the NASCAR garages for the 31-year-old debutant. "I think Montoya deserves respect," said Jeff Burton, one of NASCAR's top 10 drivers last year.

"When most rookies come in we've had little opportunity to check them out. We've all watched him race on television winning the Indy 500, winning Formula One races. So he deserves respect immediately."

Even more impressed was Jeff Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Cup champion, and three-times winner here who raced against Montoya in Thursday's qualifying race.

"Everything I saw, he did very well," said Gordon.

"He passed me and I feel like I'm one of the harder guys to pass."Montoya returns to the US racing scene with great affection for the series.

"It's amazing racing. You're always racing somebody and the more I'm into it the more excited I am. It's a lot tougher challenge than people think," he said.

"Having the fuel tank behind the rear wheels makes the car a complete handful but if you make the most out of it, more than anybody else, you've got to be more competitive."

Unlike Formula One where drivers are virtually off limits to fans if not the media, NASCAR is a finely orchestrated round of public appearances but Montoya has not complained about it.

"You just have to go out there and answer the questions and get on with your life, I guess. I think it's good for myself and the sponsors and everything. But from my personal view, it's part of the job and you've just got to deal with it," Montoya commented.

Occasionally, though, the old Montoya comes to the surface. "I'd be more content if nobody was talking to me," he added.