Report: Juan Pablo Montoya not returning to Earnhardt Ganassi after 2013
Juan Pablo Montoya will not be back in the No. 42 for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in 2014, per a report from the Associated Press.
Ganassi President Steve Lauletta announced the decision to the team Tuesday, multiple people present for the announcement told AP on the condition of anonymity because Ganassi does not comment on driver contracts.
Montoaya has driven full-time in the Sprint Cup Series since 2007, and in 239 starts has won twice. Those wins have come at Sonoma and Watkins Glen, the two series road courses. Through 22 races this season, he has three top fives and five top 10s. Twice this season in the late stages of races, Montoya has been up front but ultimately lost the lead.
At Richmond, after a late caution came out while he was up front, he pitted, but thanks to a multitude of different tire strategies, he ended up fourth. At Dover, he was passed with three laps to go for the win by Tony Stewart after Montoya had inherited the lead from Jimmie Johnson after Johnson's restart penalty.
Montoya's departure now opens up another silly season seat, and drivers like Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman immediately have another possibility for a ride for 2014. Or would Ganassi promote Kyle Larson to the Cup Series after one Nationwide season? Larson has a development contract with the team and the 21-year-old has 12 top 10s in 21 Nationwide Series starts this season.
