By The Associated Press

Published: Friday, January 25, 2013, 6:48 p.m.
Updated: Friday, January 25, 2013

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Off the podium a year ago, Chip Ganassi Racing returned to the Rolex 24 at Daytona determined to collect another victory watch.

But the blueprint for getting back to Victory Lane required a shake-up to the lineup of the two-car Ganassi team, and it involved one of the most prolific drivers in the world.

Juan Pablo Montoya was moved from the No. 02 car — sometimes referred to as the “star car” because of its famed driver lineup — to the overshadowed No. 01 car that competes full-time in the Grand-Am Series. Montoya will be teamed with Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, the three-time defending Grand-Am champions, and IndyCar driver Charlie Kimball, who is making his debut in the twice-round-the-clock sports car race.

Montoya said he was given many reasons for the switch but wants to believe it was done with victory in mind.

“I thought it was a weird move. I don't know what they told you, but they told me about 20 different reasons why they moved me,” Montoya said. “I believe that they want to win, and I want to win, too. And I think we can.”

He's already done it at Daytona, winning the prestigious race in his 2007 debut and defending the victory a year later. The No. 01 team finished second the next year, and Montoya has spent the last three seasons on the more prolific No. 02 team. While the No. 01 car drove to victory in 2011, the No. 02 team has been shut out all three years and neither car made the podium last season.

So Ganassi team manager Mike Hull tried something different when setting the lineup this time around, moving Montoya back to the team that competes all year for the Grand-Am championship. The No. 02 team this year is made up of IndyCar champions Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon, Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray and sports car driver Joey Hand, who swapped spots with Montoya. Hand was part of the 2011 winning team.

Because it's no secret team owner Ganassi, a Fox Chapel native, has been frustrated with Montoya's performance in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, there were initial rumblings that the move to the No. 01 team was a demotion. Not so, Hull said.

“A lot of people think Juan is so hardcore and so gruff, but inside a race car he is very wise. He's not temperamental; he's passionate and he understands the team concept,” Hull said.

Pruett, a four-time race winner trying to tie Hurley Haywood's record of five victories, was thrilled with the return of Montoya to the car.

“It's great — great to have him back. We won this race before together. We've finished second at this race together, and Juan gives us a tremendous opportunity to win,” Pruett said. “I think Chip and Mike like to keep things fresh, keep things mixed up a little bit. They continue to look at the successes of the cars and try to play to the strengths.”

It has seemed to be the right move so far, as Pruett put the No. 01 on the pole for the race that begins Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. Dixon qualified second in the No. 02 car, making it a Ganassi front row.

Montoya has only one goal in mind for the weekend.

“You go there for a win ...” he said. “You either win or you (stink). I'm going for a watch.”

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