Juan Pablo Montoya grabs second Indianapolis 500 win despite early crash
Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya came from the back of the pack and outran his teammate over the closing laps to the win the 99th Indianapolis 500 for a second time on Sunday.
Montoya, who won his Indy 500 debut in 2000, survived an early collision that forced him into the pits and dropped him to 30th place before mounting a stirring charge and storming to a one-car-length win.
Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya came from the back of the pack and outran his teammate over the closing laps to the win the 99th Indianapolis 500 for a second time on Sunday.
Montoya, who won his Indy 500 debut in 2000, survived an early collision that forced him into the pits and dropped him to 30th place before mounting a stirring charge and storming to a one-car-length win.
“When I came through the field, I knew I had a really great car. But it was hard,” said Montoya. “Oh my God! That was awesome.”
This is what racing and IndyCar is all about. Awesome racing all the way down to the wire
“This is what racing and IndyCar is all about. Awesome racing all the way down to the wire.”
Returning to IndyCar last year after stints in Nascar and Formula One, Montoya took the lead with four laps to go and fought off a challenge from Australian Will Power. American Charlie Kimball was third.
The IndyCar Series win was his fourth, two coming at the sprawling 2.5-mile speedway.
The victory was also 16th for team owner Roger Penske, giving him the rare Daytona 500-Indy 500 double.
