Juan Pablo Montoya back at Brickyard for Sprint Cup race

INDIANAPOLIS — Juan Pablo Montoya waltzed back into the Sprint Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway brimming with confidence and predicting he could win while racing part time in NASCAR.

The Team Penske driver finished 18th.

He has retained optimism but a more measured approach to his second Cup start this season Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"I feel like we've got a good shot," said Montoya, who moved full time to the Verizon IndyCar Series this year after racing 2007-13 on NASCAR's premier circuit. "I think (at) Michigan we wanted to understand the cars a little, understand the team and everything. I think we missed a little bit setup-wise, and I think that's one of the key things is getting the car closer."

Montoya's No. 12 Ford was 28th fastest in Friday's lone practice on the 2.5-mile oval, lagging behind teammates Brad Keselowski (third) and Joey Logano (eighth).

He didn't attempt any mock qualifying runs, though, and said his car was relatively competitive despite lacking comfort.

"We were pretty close in the middle of practice, and we kind of got lost at the end," he said. "So I think if we can get the car close, we'll be pretty good. I've been pretty good here, and I know what I want out of the car, so that makes it a lot easier so we know what we need to work on."

Montoya has two wins on road courses in NASCAR but has yet to triumph on an oval – though he came close twice at the Brickyard. In 2009, he led a race-high 116 of 160 laps but finished 11th because of a speeding penalty in the pits. In 2010, he again led a race-high 86 laps but placed 32nd after a crash because of late pit stop that dropped him into traffic.

He's had better luck in an open-wheel car, winning his Indianapolis 500 debut in 2000 and finishing fifth in his return two months ago.

"I probably could have, should have and would've won the 500 this year as well, but could have, would have and should have doesn't count," said Montoya, who scored his first IndyCar win in 14 years at Pocono Raceway three weeks ago. "At least I had a chance, and I still think I've got a good chance this year."

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