Juan Pablo Montoya explains how he ended up in 23XI No. 50 car for Watkins Glen
Juan Pablo Montoya opened up about his return to the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 50 car for 23XI Racing at Watkins Glen International. While speaking with Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, Montoya said he always enjoyed driving on the track.
“Steve Lauletta called me and said ‘Hey, would you be interested in doing Watkins?’ And I thought ‘Oh that’ll be fun,” the 48-year-old driver said. “Honestly, it was pretty much that. I thought it would be pretty cool. I always enjoyed running at the Glen, to be honest. We always run well there in Cup. Since then, I’ve been to the Glen many times with IMSA and with IndyCar. I know the track well and I thought it would be a fun thing to do. I’m in the the point at my career that honestly, I’m not looking for a job, I’m not looking for anything. But an opportunity like this comes along, and I think I can still be competitive and have a shot at it, so why not?”
The last Cup Series race Montoya competed in was the Brickyard 400 in 2014. In his Cup Series career, the Columbian driver has competed in 255 races and finished in the top 10 59 times with two victories. He is also known for his success in IndyCar, winning the Indianapolis 500 in 2000 and 2015.
Juan Pablo Montoya shares more on Watkins Glen
At Watkins Glen, Montoya has 12 states in four different series. He had one win (2010), three top-five and five top-10 finishes in his seven starts at the track in the Cup Series.
“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 in a new release. “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.”
“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,” Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing, said. “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.”