Arrow McLaren SP has revealed the livery and special car number that Juan Pablo Montoya will carry in this year’s Indianapolis 500.
The #86 that will be on the side of Montoya’s Chevy has a legacy with McLaren that reaches back to 1971.
Peter Revson drove the bright orange McLaren in that year’s Indy 500, powering the team to a surprising pole position and setting a new track record in the process.
The accomplishment was a source of great pride for the UK-based team, which had only contested its first Indy 500 the year before.
This year, 50 years after that impressive feat, the historic number will return on the team’s third entry and will carry a special livery to mark the occasion.
“I’m delighted we are able to honor Peter Revson’s historic pole at Indianapolis in 1971,” said Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing.
“This entry represents the combination of three strong relationships: McLaren and Indianapolis; Juan Pablo and Indianapolis; and McLaren and Juan Pablo, so the number just clicked for all of us.
“Most of all it will be fantastic for the fans, our partners and our team to see him line up with Pato [O’Ward] and Felix [Rosenqvist] for this global sports spectacle.”
Montoya has had a lengthy and varied career, competing in Formula 1, NASCAR, sportscars, and IndyCar over the past 25 years.
The Colombian has also bagged two Indy 500 wins in his five starts at the historic race, and will be looking for a third this year in his return with AMSP.
“I’ve really missed this race so I can’t wait to compete in my first Indianapolis 500 since 2017,” said Montoya.
“It is extra-special to carry the #86 on my Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet, honoring the incredible drive by Peter Revson for the pole for McLaren in 1971.
“This team is a great mixture of rich history and exciting promise, so it will be a thrill to join them as I compete for my third Indianapolis 500 victory.”
Although it is the only race that Montoya has scheduled for this year, he is expecting to be fighting at the front of the field alongside those who are contesting a full season.
The Indianapolis 500 returns to its traditional date in May this year, and will be run on Sunday, May 30 with at least a portion of the usual 300,000 fans expected to be allowed to attend.
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