Juan Pablo Montoya set to return to NASCAR Cup Series with Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing

Juan Pablo Montoya will return to racing in the NASCAR Cup Series with 23XI Racing at Watkins Glen International. He will pilot the #50 Toyota for the team as a part-time entrant.

The Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned squad announced earlier today that their #50 part-time car will be driven by Montoya in the second playoff race this season at Watkins Glen. He will be sponsored by Mobil 1. This is the first time he will race in the Cup Series since the 2014 season when he took part in two races for Penske.

Returning to the competition after almost a decade, Juan Pablo Montoya stated that he is excited to race with his former sponsors and work with 23XI.

"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," NASCAR quoted Montoya.

"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."

Mobil 1 is celebrating its 50th anniversary with Montoya returning to the Cup Series. The same #50 Toyota was also driven by Kamui Kobayashi and Corey Heim at COTA and Nashville respectively earlier this season. Mobil 1 sponsored both drivers.

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"Juan Pablo Montoya is a world-class driver" - 23XI Racing

Montoya is a celebrated driver across open-wheel and stock car racing. He has taken part in multiple championships and remained competitive throughout his career.

As the 48-year-old marks his return to the Cup Series, 23XI president Steve Lauletta called Montoya a world-class driver and that the team is 'honored' to be a part of the Mobil 1 50th anniversary celebrations. He said in an official statement:

"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," he added.

Juan Pablo Montoya is also a former F1 driver. He raced for Williams and McLaren between 2001 and 2006. Apart from this, he won two races in the Cup Series at Sonoma (2007) and at Watkins Glen (2010). He will return to the track where he last won a race in the Championship.