Juan Pablo Montoya's return to NASCAR after a decade-long hiatus has generated significant excitement in the racing world. The Colombian racing legend is set to compete in the No. 50 car for 23XI Racing at Watkins Glen International in September 2024, marking the celebration of Mobil 1's 50th anniversary1. This comeback is particularly noteworthy as Montoya will be piloting NASCAR's Next Gen car for the first time, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for the experienced driver2.

Despite his long absence from NASCAR, Montoya's impressive racing pedigree and past success at Watkins Glen make him a potential dark horse in the race. He won the Cup race at this track in 2010 and has eight other top-ten finishes there1. While Montoya may not be among the outright favorites, his extensive road-course experience and the quality of equipment provided by 23XI Racing could make him a formidable competitor2. The practice session on Saturday will be crucial for Montoya to familiarize himself with the new car and set himself up for a strong performance in Sunday's race2.

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International presents unique challenges for teams due to the introduction of a softer Goodyear tire. This new tire is expected to cause significant falloff, with lap times potentially slowing by two to six seconds over the course of a fuel run1. As a result, crew chiefs and drivers will need to adapt their strategies, with the extended practice session on Saturday becoming crucial for gathering data and developing race plans1.

The race's placement in the playoffs adds another layer of complexity to strategic decisions. Teams must balance the pursuit of stage points with overall race positioning, considering their current standings in the championship1. Factors such as short-pitting stages, managing tire wear, and adapting to potential cautions will all play critical roles in determining success at the Glen12. With half of the playoff field having previously won at this track, experience could be a key advantage in navigating these new challenges3.

23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, has made waves in the NASCAR world with its unique approach to team ownership and collaboration. The team fields two full-time Toyota cars in the NASCAR Cup Series, driven by Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick1.

Key aspects of 23XI Racing's collaborative approach include:

• Technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, providing access to top-tier equipment and resources

• Hands-on involvement from co-owners Jordan and Hamlin in team operations and strategy1

• Focus on diversity and inclusion in NASCAR, with Wallace as one of the sport's few Black drivers

• Expansion to a two-car team in just its second year of operation, demonstrating rapid growth1

• Emphasis on performance and competitiveness, with Reddick winning the 2024 Regular Season Championship2

The team's collaborative efforts have yielded success on the track, with both Wallace and Reddick securing wins and playoff berths since the team's inception in 202113.