Famous Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya is making his long-awaited return to NASCAR after ten years. Montoya will rejoin the series on September 1st at Watkins Glen, a track where he recorded a win in 2010. Additionally, he achieved his only other NASCAR triumph in 2007 at Sonoma.
Both victories were with Chip Ganassi Racing. For his return at Watkins Glen, Montoya will drive the gold and black number 50 Toyota for 23XI Racing, sponsored by Mobil 1. Montoya is particularly pleased with this sponsorship, as Mobil 1 was one of the first brands to support his racing career.
Montoya said in a release from the team:
“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,”
“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 representing the brand again as they celebrate this milestone will be very special. I’m also excited to work with 23XI and experience what the team is building.”
Montoya started 255 races in NASCAR and achieved his best overall ranking in 2009, finishing eighth at the end of the season. Along with his two victories, he has nine pole positions, 24 top-five finishes, and 59 top-ten finishes. Montoya also competed in 23 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with his sole victory in 2007 in Mexico City.
In his comeback, Montoya will drive for a team co-owned by legendary basketball player Michael Jordan and renowned NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin. The team is honored to have Montoya driving for 23XI Racing.
Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing mentioned the following:
“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,”
“The events have highlighted racing legends as well as what’s next in motorsports, and 23XI has been honored to be a part of adding to the Mobil 1 legacy and celebrating such a momentous occasion.”
Juan Pablo Montoya is a versatile driver with a rich history in various racing series. He recorded 94 starts in Formula 1, securing seven victories. He first drove for Williams, where he twice finished third in the overall standings, and then moved to McLaren.
In the IndyCar Series, Montoya competed in 57 races, recording five wins and finishing second overall in 2015. Early in his career, he was a champion in the International Formula 3000 and CART FedEx Championship Series.
In 2017, Montoya won the Race of Champions, and two years later, he also won the IMSA SportsCar Championship. He has triumphed in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona three times and has stood on the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
