Montoya aims to ace Indy 500

Montoya was on the pace of the top drivers within four laps of circulating the famous 'Brickyard', setting fourth fastest time in those laps. A rookie has not won at the Indy 500 since Graham Hill, back in 1966 - and that result was disputed.

"It will be very nice for my record to see if I can come here and win," said Montoya.

"A lot of people come in to a single event, so I'm sure it's going to be exciting on race day."

Guerrero himself feels that Montoya has a good chance of doing what the former missed out on, on several occasions.

"He's obviously done very well," said Guerrero. "Ganassi has a great team. I'm sure he will have great equipment. I think that he will adapt very quickly."

On the subject of Montoya as Columbia's new hero, Guerrero could not be happier with the prospect that his crown could be taken away.

"There was never much of a chance for another Colombian driver to be at Indy until Juan came along," said the two-time Indy runner-up.

"He's amazing," added Guerrero. "I thought it would never happen until I was gone."

Montoya's pace has not been affected in the slightest by the unfamiliarity with the IRNL chassis he will race at Indy, or the pressures of switching between CART and IRNL machinery in the run up to 'the race'.

Montoya's last outing in a Champ car secured him pole position for the subsequently postponed Nazareth CART round.

That round will be held on May 27th - just a day before the Indy 500. Montoya will need all his wits about him if he is to win the event at his first attempt.