With the excitement that Juan Pablo Montoya is gearing up to take his place on the tracks again, everyone’s eager to see this legendary driver take the wheel and perform after his long hiatus. Known for his aggressive yet skillful driving style, it’ll be quite a treat to see him back to competing among the fresh talent at Watkin Glen! But were you surprised knowing that he was coming back after nearly a decade?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sure was and even shared his shock over Montoya’s return, spilling some insightful stories from his days back in NASCAR and how he would interact with the other drivers during the races. It turns out everyone’s got something to say about the difficult workload and odd rules that NASCAR puts them through.

Dale Jr. is excited over Montoya’s return to NASCAR

On the ‘Dale Jr. Download’ podcast, the veteran driver and podcaster talked about his anticipating and excitement to see Juan Pablo Montoya‘s return with 23XI Racing, where the driver will drive the No. 50 car at Watkins Glen on September 15. It’s quite a twist in the story as the NASCAR playoffs draw closer. Just like most NASCAR fans, it was equally a shocker for Junior as he voiced, “What a shock that was. I was shocked. Yeah, I didn’t see that coming. Why does Juan want to come back and race? Was he not having fun?”

What might have prompted this decision from him to come back from his hiatus? As Dale Jr. pondered his motivations for returning and questioned if he had regained the joy of racing in recent years, he decided that he was just glad, as he actually has a soft spot for Juan Pablo Montoya from the few times he’s interacted with him on the tracks.

Fondly recalling his interactions with Montoya, Dale Earnhardt Jr. described him as quite an approachable and entertaining person, to say the least. He reminisced about their conversations and said, “When I would see him at the driver’s intros and I’d go up to him and talk to him and he was always easy to talk to and a fun guy to be around. And he talked a little s***.”

For this, Dale Jr. appreciated Montoya’s relatable nature, noting that he often echoed the frustrations many drivers felt about the challenges and struggles that came with being a driver in NASCAR. He also admired the veteran driver’s carefree attitude and was even surprised that someone at his level was just like him!

But why did Juan Pablo Montoya decide to return to NASCAR after all? Well, it stems from a mix of nostalgia and opportunity that was presented to him by the 23XI Racing team. Montoya himself revealed that the enthusiasm and support from Michael Jordan and their president’s approach played a pretty big role in reigniting his passion for racing in general.

Well there you have it; this just proves that no matter what, racing is more than a hobby or job for some drivers. With his return set to take place in the Cup Series, fans can anticipate a rather exciting performance up ahead! Having previously competed at the highest levels of motorsport, including Formula One and IndyCar, and even NASCAR, Montoya’s experience brings a unique vibe to NASCAR!

HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 22: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, drives in front Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Here’s a glimpse of what made Juan Pablo Montoya a legend in NASCAR

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Juan Pablo Montoya made his debut in the Cup Series back in 2007 and drove for Chip Ganassi Racing. After which, Montoya quickly made a name for himself, showcasing his aggressive driving style and skill on the track. While he did face many challenges along the way, he never backed down and ran for seven full seasons. During this time, he racked up some pretty impressive stats, including 24 top-five finishes and 59 top-10 finishes!

2009 was particularly a standout year for him when he made the NASCAR playoffs for the first time. After which he worked hard to refine his approach and adapt to the unique demands of NASCAR racing and inevitably earned his last Cup win in 2010 at Watkins Glen! This makes his comeback to the tracks a truly fitting tribute to his road racing roots!

Montoya even told Pockrass, as he shared his excitement over his comeback, “I always enjoyed running at The Glen, to be honest,” Montoya told Pockrass. “I have been to The Glen many times with the IMSA, with IndyCar…I know the track well. I thought it would be a fun thing to do.”

Despite taking a break from the fast-paced world of motorsports in 2014 as he drove for Team Penske last, he’s now back and ready to reconnect with the thrill and challenges of the sport once again. So buckle up, because he’s bringing his all to the Watkins Glen International race track with the 23XI Racing team!