Juan Pablo

March 30, 2015

Juan Pablo

Last year, Juan Pablo Montoya made big news in the world of Indy Car when he returned to the series after 14 years away racing in Formula One and NASCAR. He had dominated the old CART Indy Car series during his time there capturing the championship as well as winning the Indianapolis 500 in 2000. Questions as to whether he would be able to live up to his previous glory hounded him especially early in the season as success did not come right away. 

By the end of the season, he was getting back in to form and he won his first race back at Pocono in the fall. It remained to be seen if he was fully back or if that win was an anomaly and this season on the powerhouse Penske team would be the proof (or lack thereof) of his current ability. Qualifying for the St. Pete race was good as he started in 4^th place until you consider that he was in last place among his four teammates. 

 

Race day was warm and sunny and the excitement of starting the 2015 Indy Car season was palpable in the air as the grid was set-up. My pit pass enabled me to be on the starting grid prior to the start and it was a festive atmosphere as they had the TV reporters scurrying about, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers mascot and cheerleaders on the grid and the regular cast of Indy Car celebrities such as David Letterman on hand.

David Letterman

The race got off to a clean start as Will Power moved to the point, but soon drivers were knocking in to each other with frequency and the seemingly obvious became a reality as the new aero-kits would disintegrate into sharp pieces with each contact. Replacing nose cones and flat tires resulted translating in to many laps run under the yellow flag. It made for a lot of exciting re-starts but Power maintained his advantage until a poor pit-stop dropped him to third place and Montoya inherited the lead.

Power would move to second and battle vigorously with Montoya, even running in to him briefly on one pass attempt, but he could not get by and Montoya scored his second win since returning to Indy Car. Power snared second followed by Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud giving Penske racing four of the top five.

My pass also allowed me access to Victory Lane and I was able to enjoy watching the podium celebration as well as the many Columbian fans who were on hand to celebrate their hero’s victory. It was cool getting to watch the party as Montoya celebrated and to be so up close to the car and drivers as they enjoyed their success.