Montoya was moving up the field in his Reynard Honda, making short work of Vasser and Franchitti taking the lead on lap 64. Michael Andretti had carved his way through the field from eighteenth place and by lap 64 he was in third place.
The first round of pitstops saw Montoya return to the track in the lead closely followed by Andretti and Franchitti. The race was running under full course yellow and Franchitti closed up on Andretti. On the restart, Franchitti stormed past
the Swift Ford of Andretti and moved back into second place. It was not long before another full course yellow, the result of an accident between Roberto Moreno and Jan Magnussen. When the race resumed the drama that unfolded was spectacular. Tracy and Andretti were running side by side on track. Both drivers held position going into turn three. Tracy tried to manoeuvre in front of Andretti but instead managed to take himself and Andretti out of the race.
Meanwhile at the front of the field Montoya and Franchitti were locked in a wheel to wheel battle. Franchitti took his Team Kool Green Honda into the lead. The ever consistent Montoya put together a string of quick laps to retake the lead on lap 127. Traffic played its role in keeping Franchitti behind the Colombian until the chequered flag. The win means that Montoya leads the championship once again. The incident involving Tracy and Andretti would suggest that the title battle is now a two horse race with only five races remaining in the series. The next round takes place at the 1.80 mile street circuit in Vancouver on September 5th.
Murph (Email)
Round 14
