Montoyas to host Colombia benefit in Miami art district

With so much of the Miami weekend seeming like a repeat of year's past -- yes we'll crown a champion; yes it will be an HMS driver; yes that driver has won a championship before -- we thought we would shed some light on something that will happen in South Florida this week that is completely new for NASCAR.

Juan Montoya and his wife, Connie, are hosting a charity gala like none other in the NASCAR community. BELIVE 2007 will be held in the art district of Miami at Karu & Y restaurant. They are expecting many NASCAR drivers and 500 high profile guests to attend and take part in the proceedings which include a silent auction and entertainment by 12-time Latin Grammy winner Juanes -- himself a native of Colombia.

Montoya gives most of the credit for the event's incarnation to his wife, Connie. She talked with NASCAR.COM as she made last minute preparations for the gala Thursday evening.

Q: For people who don't understand the situation in Colombia -- what are the needs of the people?

Montoya: Everything -- Colombia is a third world country, but we're changing. We're the fastest growing country economically in South America. We do have a lot of problems because the social classes are difficult. There is a big upper and bigger lower class but the middle class is not that strong. There is not a lot of work for people. Colombia has been fighting a war for the last 40 years so a lot of companies have left the country. There is a lot of unemployment, but with the new president a lot of those companies are coming back.

Q: I understand that several charities are involved. Who will this event benefit?

Montoya: There are six different charities that this will support. The money we raise we will divide between the six foundations. These six non-profits have formed an alliance so that we can now start projects together. We want to do this more in the future so that we can have a bigger impact in all areas: sport, education and nutrition -- all aspects the basic needs a person should have to live a normal life.

One of our ideas is that if we give this generation education and their basic needs in the future the country will change. A lot of people in NASCAR ask me, "Why Colombia?" Obviously it's our country, but Colombia's problems affect the [United States] because of poverty and drug trafficking. If we help to fix Colombia's problems then people won't be forced to immigrate to the [United States] for jobs -- they can stay in Colombia. We don't think we can fix all of the problems right now, but hopefully we can help.

Q: How did you and Juan get involved?

Montoya: We were one of the creators. We got together with "Give to Colombia" and decided a gala was good at this time of the year at Homestead as the season was ending. NASCAR has a huge impact in the [United States]. It is the second most watched sport here. 90 percent of the big companies are involved in the sport here.

Q: What do you hope is the result of the gala?

Montoya: A commitment to help Colombia and for people to think we are not just another foundation. I want them to feel a part of it. I want them to understand what we are trying to do and how important it is. It has taken us a year to put this together. It's an event for 600 people so there is a lot to do.

Q: What was your initial reaction when Juan said he wanted to join NASCAR?

Montoya: I completely freaked out to tell you the truth. I didn't understand. I've been with him for seven years now and his dream has always been since he was a little kid to drive Formula 1. I just didn't understand it, but he wasn't having fun. He was thinking about quitting and I said, "I prefer you to continue driving." For him it is his job, but he has to have fun to be interested and want to keep going.

Q: How has the experience been so far? How have the fans treated you?

Montoya: The experience has been amazing -- completely different -- the people are so nice and have treated us so well. I love racing and the racing is so exciting. Sometimes he struggles but I can see he enjoys it. It's a complete different type of racing on the ovals.

Q: What was the experience of winning in California like?

Montoya: We thought Tony Stewart was going to win. One of things knowing Juan is that he had to prove to himself that he could do it. He knew he also had to do it to motivate the team. He never celebrates though, afterwards I said, "We should celebrate," and he said, "No, now we need to win on an oval."

Q: What will you guys do when the season ends -- vacation?

Montoya: We go back to Colombia for a golf tournament for the foundation. We will spend a few weeks in Colombia in December. Then in early January we are back for testing. They sent me the schedule for 2008 and there was testing and racing all year long and I asked [Chip Ganassi Racing's vice president of business development] Chris Weiller, "Don't the people in NASCAR have a life?" And Chris said, "NASCAR is our life."

For at least one night though, racing will take a backseat as Juan and his wife, Connie, introduce the NASCAR world to the culture of Colombia in the hopes of creating a better tomorrow for the Montoya's homeland.

To take a closer look at the gala and the organizations or to get involved head on over to www.belivecolombia.org.