Montoya, 48, has 255 NASCAR Cup starts, but none since 2014. The versatile racer, though, is a proven winner at Watkins Glen, capturing the checkered flag there in 2010. Saturday, Montoya was 15th in practice before qualifying 34th in the 38-car field. As for his teammates, Bubba Wallace was 32nd and Tyler Reddick was 16th.
“It’s really good to be back – exciting," said Montoya, who is driving the No. 50 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing at Watkins Glen. "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. It’s so difficult, because you come into a weekend where you get — I drove the car at VIR, and did about 40 laps, just to get comfortable — make sure the seat and everything was working. I felt pretty good with the car. I felt like it was easier to drive than the last car."
