Juan Pablo Montoya is set to make a comeback in NASCAR, returning to the track at Watkins Glen. With 255 prior starts in the NASCAR Cup Series—his last being in 2014—Montoya is ready to show he still has the competitive edge, driving the No. 50 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing.
Having previously won at Watkins Glen in 2010, Montoya is enthusiastic about his return. He shared his thoughts on getting back behind the wheel, saying via Motorsport.com:
“It’s really good to be back — exciting. I have no idea what to expect — I don’t know. I think I should run pretty well, but that is all I can tell you right now.”
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To prepare for the race, Montoya completed about 40 practice laps at VIR, familiarizing himself with the newer car dynamics, which he found easier to handle compared to his previous vehicles.
During practice, he managed 26 laps, finishing in 15th place, while qualifying was tougher, placing him 34th out of 38. Despite the challenges, Montoya remains optimistic about his performance. “The new thing and I’m glad there are two practices,” he noted, recognizing the fine line between pushing too hard or not enough.
Teammates Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick had their own hurdles, qualifying 32nd and 16th, respectively. Montoya remains positive, stating, “I thought it was pretty good honestly…we did a lot with a lot less than the other teams, personally thinking.”
He maintained a light-hearted demeanor, saying, “I will be nice and respectful of everyone that is nice and respectful for me,” emphasizing his desire to race competitively without unnecessary conflicts.
With Watkins Glen being included in the playoffs for the first time, excitement is high, and Montoya has hinted at the possibility of future appearances: “I don’t know. Let’s do this weekend, and then we will see…if someone comes to me one day and asks me if I want to do a one-off, I would probably say yes.”
Fans are eager to see Montoya return, adding to his impressive racing legacy. As a versatile driver, he has seen success in various motorsport arenas, including Formula 1 with seven Grand Prix wins, and two Indianapolis 500 victories in IndyCar, before moving to NASCAR where he won twice in the Cup Series.