LONG POND, Pa. - Juan Pablo Montoya noticed the Colombian fans waving flags and wildly cheering for him as he zipped toward the checkered flag. Moments after celebrating, Montoya ducked his way through the crowd waiting at Victory Lane and headed toward the grandstands to sign autographs and pose for pictures.
"I had to say thanks for coming," he said.
Montoya saved his deepest gratitude for car owner Roger Penske.
Montoya won the IndyCar race Sunday at Pocono Raceway, the highlight of a triumphant return to open-wheel racing after seven years in NASCAR.
Up ahead, a serious run at the IndyCar championship.
"I think people know I'm coming," Montoya said.
Montoya won for the first time in the CART/IndyCar Series since 2000 and had his first major victory since he won a NASCAR road-course race at Watkins Glen in 2010.
Penske's faith in bringing the talented and tempestuous Montoya aboard was rewarded.
"It's been a long road, a lot harder than people realize," Montoya said.
Helio Castroneves was second to make it a 1-2 finish Sunday for Team Penske. With double points awarded in the 500-mile races, Castroneves moved into a tie for the points lead with Team Penske teammate Will Power.
Team Penske did face some roadblocks that could lead to some interesting conversations this week at the shop. Power was hit with a blocking penalty on Castroneves late in the race and had to serve a drive-through penalty, costing him a shot at racing for the win. He finished 10th.
Carlos Munoz, Ryan Briscoe and Scott Dixon completed the top five.
Montoya, who won from the pole, took the lead for good when Tony Kanaan was forced to pit for fuel with four laps left. Montoya took it from there and continued to stamp himself a player in the championship hunt. He moved to fourth in the standings.
Montoya damaged his front wing when he connected with Power on a pass for the lead on the 167th lap. Power's penalty troubles continued at Pocono when he blocked Castroneves on the 171st lap, effectively ending his shot at victory.
Power said he tried to let Castroneves go and had no intention of blocking him. Power has been smacked with a rash of penalties this season, ranging from pit speed violations to contact with other drivers.
"I've got to stop it," he said. "I've got to stop getting drive-throughs."
Montoya, the 1999 CART champion and 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner, last ran in CART in 2000, then left Formula One midway through the 2006 season for NASCAR.
After only two top 10s in his first seven starts, Montoya reeled off a third, second and seventh in his past three. Now, he has the win needed to erase any lingering doubts the move back to open wheel was the right one.
The 200-lap race was caution free for the first 158 laps until Graham Rahal spun to bring out the yellow. The 158 consecutive laps of green flag racing to open a race was the longest stretch for a 500-mile race in IndyCar history.
Rookie Jack Hawksworth missed the race and was hospitalized with a heart contusion suffered Saturday in an accident during the second practice session.
Montoya won in front of a crowd estimated at much less than the 35,000 that attended last year. The ones who turned out saw a fast one: The average speed of 202.402 mph was the fastest 500-mile race in IndyCar history.