The 2000 Indy 500

Juan Montoya took Indy by storm.

Indy's just Juan-derful
The CART return to Indy was a complete success, thanks to one Juan Montoya, who made the Indianapolis 500 look easy. But while Montoya proved he was among the world's best drivers, two of IRL's biggest stars -- Greg Ray and Al Unser Jr. -- saw their days end in a crash heard around the speedway.

• Around Gasoline Alley: Wet and wild day

Montoya says NASCAR isn't in racing future
Juan Montoya says NASCAR's cars are too big and too slow for him at this point of his career. "Maybe when I'm older."

Doubts remain that Montoya will defend Indy title
Everyone seems to think that Indy 500 winner Juan Montoya will race in Formula One next year, following the path as former CART champs Jacques Villenueve and Alex Zanardi.

Indy's women take each other out early
The two female drivers in Sunday's 84th Indianapolis 500 had a bit of a catfight in Turn 1 -- and it was caused by a man.

No more half-truths
There is no more doubting where the best teams in open-wheel racing work. Chip Ganassi and Juan Montoya ended that debate in just 500 miles.

Indy's main stock still tradition
Tradition keeps fans coming to the Indianapolis 500, even though some may not even care who wins or loses.

Rain disrupts Gordon's double attempt
The three-hour delay to the Indy 500 forced Robby Gordon to miss the start of the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600, but he still arrived in time to drive the second half of the race Sunday night.

Fried back and ready for new memories
No one appreciated being in Indianapolis more than Steve Fried. After a pit row accident nearly took his life last year, the chief mechanic was back and ready to go.

Ray defends turf, wins first Indy pole
Greg Ray won Round 1 of the IRL vs. CART battle, knocking Juan Montoya off the pole to claim his first Indy 500 pole for Team Menard.

Indy sights & sounds

Want to hear what the drivers had to say? Well, ESPN and ABC has all the sights and sounds from Gasoline Alley leading up to the 84th Indy 500.

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Sunday, May 28
How much did winning the Indianapolis 500 mean to Juan Montoya? Well, I've seen Juan win races all over the world, but today was the most emotional I've ever seen him after winning a race.

There is a simple reason why Montoya was so emotional. The Indy 500 is a race Montoya could identify with while growing up in Columbia. He watched this race, knew what it meant to win it, and this is a speedway he's aspired to compete at ever since he started driving race cars as a young boy.

A lot of the credit for his dominating performance must go to his pit crew. They were awesome all day. But Montoya was also fabulous on restarts, never relinquishing the lead. Chip Ganassi said we all watched the best driver in the world today. I agree. He drove circles around this field. It may not be the best result for the IRL, but Juan Montoya's face certainly belongs among those already on the Borg-Warner Trophy