Montoya returns to winning ways

He was followed by Paul Tracy, Dario Franchitti, Jimmy Vasser and Max Papis. Franchitti and Montoya are now tied for the championship with six races remaining.

Unlike the last several years at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the race got off to an uneventful start. In fact, there was only one caution period the whole afternoon, for Tony Kanaan running off course.

The battle for the top three positions was largely determined in the pits as clever pit stops ultimately took the win away from Franchitti and put it squarely into the hands of Montoya.

Franchitti led from pole through the first round of pit stops. The only significant change in the first 30 laps saw the number two starter Bryan Herta fall from second to fourth as he was quickly passed by Montoya and Tony Kanaan.

Herta suffered engine problems and for the third year in a row, retired before the end of the race.

Tracy and Montoya spent the first half of the race chasing Franchitti as he managed to open up a lead of several seconds.

The remainder of the field didn't see much action and the retirement rate during the first half of the race was virtually nil.

Al Unser Jr and Luiz Garcia Jr both spun out but neither caused a full course yellow.

Franchitti made his last pit stop on Lap 55. While he was refuelling, Montoya managed to get by Tracy for second place out on the track.

Franchitti joined the field back in seventh place, but moved back third as everyone else stopped. Tracy made his stop on Lap 57 and Montoya on Lap 58.

While the three had similar stop times, Montoya managed to rejoin the field ahead of the Team KOOL Green teammates.

He eventually opened up a lead of more than 11 seconds over Tracy.

There was a yellow flag thrown when Kanaan spun on course, but it had no effect on the running order and eventual finish of the race.

The FEDEX Championship Series moves to Cicero, Illinois next week.

The inaugural Target Grand Prix will be run on the newly finished one-mile oval at the Chicago Motor Speedway.