Over the past few years, some of the NASCAR teams have offered rides to drivers for special schemes and cars; even drivers who normally run in other racing series like F1’s Kimi Raikkonen and Kamui Kobayashi.
When the NASCAR Cup Series travels to Watkins Glen International for the annual road course race, Juan Pablo Montoya will be behind the wheel of the 23XI number 50 car. It has been 10 years since Montoya was last in a NASCAR vehicle.
While the Colombian native won two races during his seven years in NASCAR, Montoya is known for his hitting one of the track drying trucks at Daytona. He also has seven wins in Formula One and five wins in IndyCar including two Indy 500’s.
An excited Montoya spoke on his getting back in a NASCAR saying, “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.”
Director of Global Sponsorships and Marketing Services, on behalf of the Mobil 1 team Katy Howell spoke on Montoya driving the Mobile 1 car saying, “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.”
President of 23XI Racing Steve Lauletta also spoke on Montoya driving the 50 car 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.”