Juan Pablo Montoya is set to make a sensational return to the NASCAR Cup Series with 23XI Racing after a decade-long hiatus from the sport.
Motorsport fans are buzzing with excitement as renowned driver Juan Pablo Montoya prepares for a remarkable return to NASCAR with a one-off appearance at Watkins Glen International on September 15, 2024.
The event will mark the Colombian’s first appearance in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2014, and he will be driving the No. 50 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing, a team co-owned by NBA icon Michael Jordan and NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin.
Montoya is no stranger to success in various motorsport disciplines. His career began in CART, where he claimed the championship in 1999, and he later transitioned to Formula 1 and IndyCar, achieving notable victories, including two Indianapolis 500 wins.
The 48-year old also has an impressive record in endurance racing, having won the Rolex 24 at Daytona three times and the IMSA championship in 2019. His diverse background and accomplishments make him one of the most versatile drivers in the sport.
In the NASCAR realm, Montoya raced from 2006 to 2014, securing two victories in the Cup Series with Chip Ganassi Racing. His last race in the sport was the 2014 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, making his upcoming return a significant moment for both him and the sport.
The veteran racer has secured 24 top-fives, 59 top-tens, and nine poles in 255 starts, and even won a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Mexico City in 2007.
Watkins Glen is a solid place for Montoya to race as he made seven Cup starts at the upstate New York road course with one win and five top-10s.
The announcement of Montoya’s return was made by 23XI Racing, which will mark its third race of the season with the No. 50 car.
The collaboration is particularly special as it coincides with Mobil 1’s 50th anniversary, a brand that has been associated with Montoya since the early days of his career. The car will feature a unique gold and black livery to commemorate the celebration, further doubling down on the significance of the event.
“I’m looking forward to getting back in a Cup car and racing at Watkins Glen — a track I really enjoy and had the chance to experience earlier in my career,” Montoya said.
“It’s an honor to celebrate the Mobil 1 team’s remarkable legacy in racing and be recognized for my contributions to motorsports.
“The Mobil 1 brand was one of my first sponsors when I started racing, so to represent the brand again as they celebrate this milestone will be so special.
“I’m also excited to work with 23XI and experience what the team is building.”
Montoya will join teammates Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace in a car that has featured the likes of Kamui Kobayashi, Travis Pastrana and Corey Heim in it over recent seasons.
The team first ran a third entry in the 2023 Daytona 500 where Travis Pastrana made his Cup debut, finishing 11th. Ex-F1 driver and 2021 Le Mans 24 overall winner Kamui Kobayashi has made two starts with the team, as has rising star Corey Heim.
“Juan Pablo Montoya is a world-class driver who has won in everything he’s driven, and he will be a great closer to the 50th-anniversary celebration we’ve had in NASCAR with the No. 50 Mobil 1 Toyota,” said Steve Lauletta, president of 23XI Racing.
“The events have highlighted racing legends as well as what’s next in motorsports, and 23XI has been honored to have been a part of adding to the Mobil 1 legacy and celebrating such a momentous occasion.”
Montoya is infamously known for his accident at the 2012 Daytona 500. His car was having issues with severe vibration, and during a caution lap, a rear trailing arm broke, causing him to lose control and collide with a jet dryer.
The car was destroyed and the dryer began leaking jet fuel on to the racing surface. The fuel ignited, and the subsequent fire red flagged the race for two hours.
