Juan Wins Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Juan Pablo Montoya insisted he had the best car in the Team Penske stable — even to his three teammates, who all believed they were legitimate contenders to win the Indianapolis 500.

As they ribbed each other during a Penske event about the traditional victory swig of milk, Montoya interrupted the debate with an emphatic declaration: "I don't understand why you are arguing — I'll win it, and I'll let you drink the milk."

In the end, he kept that whole bottle for himself.

Showing the same confidence he did 15 years ago when he routed the field, Montoya sliced his way from the back to the front twice on Sunday to win his second Indianapolis 500.

"This is too much," he said in victory lane, the winner's wreath around his neck and the traditional bottle of milk in his hand. Flanked by his three children, he looked everywhere for his wife.

It was a far different scene from 2000, when the fearless Colombian was single, childless and using Indy cars as a stepping stone to Formula One. But his career has been a series of ups-and-downs since then — through F1, NASCAR and finally back to IndyCar with motorsports icon Roger Penske.

His win gave Penske his 16th Indianapolis 500 win, and first since Helio Castroneves in 2009. Penske also joined Chip Ganassi as the only owners to win the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 in the same year. Ganassi did it in 2010; Joey Logano won the Daytona 500 for Penske in February.

The 15 years between Indy 500 victories are a record for a driver, surpassing A.J. Foyt, who needed 10 years between his third and fourth wins. That first win for Montoya? It came when he drove for Ganassi.