HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- You could call Juan Pablo Montoya's first NASCAR Nextel Cup race Sunday a baptism by fire.

Late in the race, Montoya's car went up in flames when struck in the back by Ryan Newman in Turn 4. He climbed from his burning No. 30 Texaco/Havoline Dodge as fire engulfed the rear and driver's compartment.

Montoya, who joined Chip Ganassi Racing from the McLaren Formula One team this year, was taken to the infield care center but was later released.

Montoya, 14th in the Busch Grand National race on Saturday night, was uninjured. Sunday, he was credited with a 34th-place finish.

Asked how the accident happened, Newman denied any contact was intentional.

"I lost the car," he said. "I got into him. I felt bad for the situation and him catching on fire and everything. I did not crash him on purpose and we'll go on."

Newman was called into the NASCAR trailer to explain.

"There was direct conversation about what happened and to make sure it wasn't intentional," said Newman.

Said Montoya: "I really don't know what happened. I think the 12 got me in the back. I don't care. It's going to be hard. I knew that when I signed with Chip that it wasn't going to be easy."

First casualty of the day: Bobby Labonte ran into the rear of Kurt Busch's car on Lap 7 after Busch hit the wall exiting Turn 2.

Labonte (Petty Enterprises) was helped from his No. 43 Dodge and taken to the infield care center and later released.

On Lap 15, Busch (Penske Racing South) smacked the wall again, in Turn 4, after his broke a spring on his No. 2 Ford.

"We'll hang out in the off-season and get ready for next year," said Labonte. Busch, who also visited the care center, suffered a bad headache from the second crash.

"That was a really hard shot," said the 2004 Cup champion. "It could have been a really bad deal, happening there right in front of the leaders."

High notes: "American Idol" winner and Ford commercial minstrel Taylor Hicks sang the national anthem at Sunday's Ford 400.

Raised in Alabama, Hicks is a big college football and racing fan, he told the media.

"It's born into you, if you're from Alabama," said Hicks of his two favorite sports. "In fact, I might have been tempted to put a few of my competitors (on 'Idol') into the wall."

Hicks, who describes himself as an aggressive driver, was asked if he'd like to drive a race car one day.

"It would be a dream come true," he replied.

When asked who'd win the race, Taylor said: "David Stremme -- I hope he pulls it out."

By the way, Stremme drives a Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing.