Juan Pablo Montoya has a straightforward response to why he is returning to the NASCAR field after more than ten years. His answer is simply, “Why not?” Montoya has been asked by 23XI Racing to drive its third entry, the No. 50 Mobil 1 Toyota, at Watkins Glen next month. This will be the car’s final race of the season, and Montoya’s inclusion as the driver choice came as a surprise. The 48-year-old last competed in a NASCAR Cup Series race in 2014.
Montoya shared that Steve Lauletta, the president of 23XI Racing, contacted him and asked if he would be interested in racing at Watkins Glen. Montoya found the idea to be enjoyable and thought it would be cool. He has always enjoyed racing at The Glen and has had success there in the past. Despite not actively seeking a job or opportunity, Montoya believes he can still be competitive and wanted to take advantage of this chance.
During his career, Montoya achieved one victory in seven Cup Series starts at Watkins Glen. He also made one Xfinity Series start at the track, finishing in 33rd place. Overall, Montoya has competed in 12 races at the road course across various series. He admitted that he didn’t expect to return to NASCAR after being away for so many years. In recent times, Montoya has focused on sports car racing and made a few starts in IndyCar in 2021 and 2022. He has primarily been supporting his son Sebastian in his racing endeavors.
Montoya has a total of 278 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series. He was a full-time Cup Series driver from 2007 to 2013, during which he won two races at Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen. Montoya made two starts in 2014 before leaving the stock car world behind. Since then, he hasn’t been in a NASCAR garage as a driver. The fact that he will be driving a car co-owned by Denny Hamlin, a former competitor, adds an element of amusement for Montoya.
Returning to the NASCAR community is an exciting prospect for Montoya. He mentioned that many of the people working at 23XI Racing used to work at Ganassi, which creates a sense of familiarity. Montoya is looking forward to a fun day on the track and wants to give his all in the race. He hopes that everyone involved with the program, including 23XI, Mobil 1, and their supporters, will be able to look back on the experience and say, “Man, that was awesome,” regardless of the final result.
Photo from Juan Pablo Montoya Instagram
