Juan Pablo Montoya Reveals He Was 'Forced' into His Indy 500 Debut

Juan Pablo Montoya won the Indianapolis 500 at his first attempt – a race he says he was 'forced' to do. The Colombian driver had no interest in the event, preferring to focus on his CART title defense, but his team insisted. He ended up taking the victory, and years later he won it again.

Why it matters:

Winning the Indy 500 as a rookie is a rare feat. Both Montoya and Graham Hill (1966) achieved it. The story highlights the contrasting priorities between the CART and IRL championships at the time, and how a reluctant driver still delivered on the biggest stage.

The Details:

• Montoya was the reigning CART champion with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2000.
• The CART and IRL were separate, and Montoya saw the Indy 500 as a distraction.
• He passed the rookie test easily: within two laps he was flat out at 220 mph, second fastest of the day.
• He won the race, then took a second Indy 500 victory in 2015.
• Graham Hill also won as a rookie in 1966. According to his son Damon, Graham's other great achievement was getting doors installed on the men's room toilets – up until then there were none.

Between the lines:

The toilet door anecdote is a lighthearted reminder that racing legends often leave marks beyond the track. Hill's humble suggestion improved the experience for everyone at Indianapolis for decades. It also underscores the era's starkly different standards – and how a two-time world champion could still be a force for practical change.