Montoya’s mind is ready, but is his fat NASCAR body?

Montoya is not as fat as Tony Stewart, but he needs to work hard to endure the beating you take in IndyCars

Juan Pablo Montoya’s return to IndyCar should be a big boost for the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Montoya already has squeezed into his new ride for 2014, I’m told, which was probably a rather tight fit.

The Colombian native has packed on some pounds since going 'lazy' racing and he last drove an open-wheel car in 2006. But he’ll have already started working out hard as he finishes up this season in the No. 42 Chevy in NASCAR Sprint Cup for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.

Montoya is 37, which is getting long in the tooth to pedal an IndyCar, which generates tremendous G’s on the body on the ovals and under braking on street and road courses. It will be much tougher than racing a stock car.

Montoya had unbelievable car control in his former open-wheel life. He was incredibly brave and aggressive.

He will be tested severely, however, in his comeback to these 700-horsepower formula cars, which must be driven on the ragged edge to fulfill their potential.

IndyCars have tremendous downforce, acceleration and cornering capabilities. The strain on the neck in driving one is nasty; the cockpit narrow; the ride on street courses like running some sections of Orchard Lake Road.

Montoya has the skills to make a resounding return to IndyCar and, I believe, the passion for the fight. But will the body made soft in NASCAR stand up to the beating?