PIT STOPS PATRICK A BETTER FIT THAN MONTOYA.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK MOTOR SPORTS

First Toyota. Then Juan Pablo Montoya. Now perhaps Danica Patrick?

The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series will definitely have a different look next year.

The debut of Toyota has been in the works for some time and came as a surprise to no one.

But when Montoya, a Formula One driver and Indianapolis 500 winner from Colombia, announced last week that he was going to drive one of Chip Ganassi's stock cars next year, NASCAR had a bigger story than Babe Ruth going to the New York Yankees. It's on par with Zinedine Zidane going to the New England Patriots.

But just because Ganassi has one of the most skilled race car drivers in the world doesn't mean Montoya will enjoy any sort of success in NASCAR. He will probably be met with more contempt than congratulations, especially on a humid Sunday afternoon surrounded by 100,000 drunken Alabamans at Talladega.

Patrick, the only female driver in the Indy Racing League, would probably be a better fit in NASCAR. Women have been racing in NASCAR for decades. It would be little shock to see Patrick drafting in the Daytona 500. Colombians, on the other hand, aren't even welcome in Colorado anymore.

Still, NASCAR president Mike Helton is pleased to accept Montoya into his sport.

``Juan Pablo Montoya's entry into NASCAR is historic,'' Helton said in a prepared statement. ``It encompasses all the things that are important to NASCAR, the things that we've worked very hard to establish. Juan Pablo is someone who touches not only the Hispanic fan base, but also is a driver with an international following.

``NASCAR has had success with drivers from other racing backgrounds who have come to NASCAR and done well, but to have Juan Pablo say, `I want to compete here,' is historic.''

Historic, yes. Bordering on insanity, likely. Even Montoya has some reservations about making the move.

``When people think of moving from Formula One to NASCAR, some people think I'm crazy, but I think it's exciting,'' Montoya said. ``I think it's a great challenge for my career. Coming here is probably going to be my toughest challenge ever.''

And he's just talking about the racing. Winning over fans at Darlington may be too much to ask of anyone from Latin America.

Montoya is coming to NASCAR whether it's ready or not. Patrick's move is still in the speculation stage. One report had Patrick's father, who is also her agent, talking with NASCAR owners at the Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway in Illinois. Apparently he was a guest of Jack Roush, who will have an open seat at his five-car Roush Racing next year after Mark Martin retires. Wouldn't it be funny to see Patrick driving a car sponsored by Viagra? Kind of puts a new spin on the marketing strategy.

Patrick is also in the last year of her contract with Rahal Letterman Racing, her IRL team. She could be available to make the jump to NASCAR if she doesn't return to the IRL. Anything is possible, even though Patrick has said she wants to take another stab at winning the Indianapolis 500. After being so close two years ago, who could blame her? For NASCAR's sake, Patrick might want to put that goal on hold for a while.

NASCAR is ready for Patrick. The same can't be said for Montoya.

A coast-to-coast weekend for Joanides

Nick Joanides has one heck of a road trip this weekend.

Joanides, a NASCAR driver from Woodland Hills, will be entered in Friday night's Grand National Division, East Series, race at New Hampshire International Speedway. Then he will fly back to Los Angeles to compete at Irwindale Speedway in the Super Late Model division race Saturday night.

This will be the first East Series race for Joanides and his Borenstein Racing team. New Hampshire International Speedway is also hosting the NASCAR Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series this weekend.

``We are building toward next year and this will be a great opportunity for us to judge where we are and will allow us to better determine which direction we need to go with equipment for next year,'' Joanides said.

Borenstein Racing is preparing to enter the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series, on a regular basis next year and is looking for a testing ground for some of its new cars and equipment. MacDonald/Barrett Motorsports, which has experience in the Craftsman Truck, Busch and Cup series, has provided Borenstein Racing will technical assistance for the New Hampshire race.

``We are looking to get the best equipment we can and this race allows us to get our feet wet and see how we stack up against the competition at the next level in building toward our goals for 2007,'' said Loren Borenstein, owner of the Joanides' team.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Every Truck Series win for Ron Hornaday Jr. is a historic one. Each one adds to his record of most wins in Truck Series history. Hornaday's win in Saturday night's Truck Series race at Kentucky Speedway was the 28th of his career. It was also his second win of the season in the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado for Kevin Harvick Inc. His first came at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway in Ohio.

``Wow, what a motor we had (Saturday night),'' Hornaday said on backstretchmotor- sports.com and his Web site. ``These guys changed manifolds for me and I told them that it just wouldn't run and the (Richard Childress Racing) guys changed it and they know what it needs and really fixed (the motor) up for us. It's pretty awesome to see this Silverado in Victory Lane.''

With the win, Hornaday matched Jack Sprague for most Truck Series seasons with multiple wins. Each has six seasons in which they won more than

one race.

Sprague's last multiple win season was 2001 when he won four races and the Truck Series championship.

Hornaday's last multiple-win season prior to this year was in 1999, his final year driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc. Hornaday also jumped from 10th to sixth in the Truck Series standings. He has been on a steady climb since his team moved Wally Rogers to crew chief five races into the season.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1) Juan Pablo Montoya, center, who is jumping from Formula One to NASCAR, admits the transition will probably not be easy.

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

(2) Ron hornaday Jr. won his 28th Truck Series race last weekend at Kentucky Speedway, adding to his all-time Series record.

Ed Reinke/Associated Press

Box:

(1) THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

(2) Etc.