Motor racing legend Juan Pablo Montoya will make his NASCAR Cup Series return with 23XI Racing in the Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE at Watkins Glen International circuit on September 15 to commemorate Mobil 1’s 50th anniversary.
The Colombian competed in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2007 to 2013 and will make his first start since the 2014 Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Speaking about the news, Juan Pablo Montoya said:
“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 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 competed in Formula One with Williams and McLaren Racing from 2001-2007, winning seven races and finishing on the podium 30 times. The 48-year-old also won the CART championship in 1999 with Chip Ganassi Racing. Montoya is a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner having taken victory in the Greatest Spectacle In Racing on his debut with Chip Ganassi Racing in the year 2000.
Montoya also took victory in 2015 with Team Penske.
Katy Howell, Director of Global Sponsorships and Marketing Services, on behalf of the Mobil 1 team said:
“Being able to have such an iconic driver like Juan Pablo Montoya to race the No. 50 car is the perfect way to complete the run of our gold paint scheme with 23XI Racing. “We worked with Juan Pablo at the beginning of his career, so to partner with a legendary driver such as himself as he returns to NASCAR is truly a dream come true. It has been an exciting year for our brand globally as we celebrate a historic milestone, and we are thrilled to have an all-star line-up for the third entry of the No. 50 Camry. Each of the drivers and teams showcase our true passion for racing that we celebrate in everything we do as a brand. It has been a privilege to continue to showcase how our products can help race teams and consumers get the most out of their engines.”
Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racin commented saying:
“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 have been a part of adding to the Mobil 1 legacy and celebrating such a momentous occasion.”