Ganassi Racing has apparently backtracked on their decision to put Juan Montoya in the #42 for the season finale at Homestead.

As was reported here and by NASCAR, Montoya was to run the #42 to be assured a starting spot in the race since the car has sufficient owner points to make the field. This would have forced Casey Mears to try to qualify the #30 into the field for Sunday’s race.

Rumor also has it that Casey Mears told the team that he would rather be let go from the team a race early (Mears is leaving the team after Homestead to drive for Hendrick) than to try to qualify the #30.

Here is the official release from Ganassi/Sabates:

Juan Pablo Montoya will make his Nextel Cup debut in the #30 Texaco/Havoline Dodge this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Montoya, a Miami resident, will compete in both the Busch Series and Nextel Cup races this weekend. Steve Boyer will crew chief the #30 Dodge Charger for Montoya in the Cup Series, while Brad Parrott will continue his role as his Busch Series crew chief. RaceWatch is the fan’s resource for the latest news on what’s going on within NASCAR. Distributed free to all fans upon entering each and every Nextel Cup Series event, RaceWatch provides added value to their race-day experience. In its commemorative season-ending issue at Homestead-Miami Speedway, included in RaceWatch will be a miniature #42 Texaco / Havoline Montoya hero card. There will be 42 lucky readers who will find their hero card signed by Montoya. Montoya and his wife Connie will be participating in the NASCAR Foundation Track Walk on Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway at 8:30am/et.