Big day for Colombia at IndyCar's Grand Prix of Houston

Omnisports Pulse

June 29, 2014 2:45 AM

Colombia completed a clean-sweep of race one of the Grand Prix of Houston on Saturday with rookie Carlos Huertas claiming his maiden IndyCar win.

On the same day the Colombian national team advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time, Huertas led compatriots Juan Pablo Montoya and Carlos Munoz across the finish line in Texas, as the South American nation claimed all three podium positions.

Sebastien Bourdais and James Hinchcliffe completed the top five on a wet day at Reliant Park.

For 23-year-old Huertas (Dale Coyne Racing) and 22-year-old Munoz (HVM Racing), sharing the podium with Colombian motor-racing legend Montoya, was a very special moment.

"It just shows the level of series, that if I do a good job and I beat guys like that, it's amazing," Huertas said after claiming the chequered flag.

"I have huge respect for him and to beat him shows that I've done a good job."

Munoz added: "I grew up looking at Juan Pablo how to be a professional race car driver."

Huertas' win took him to 13th in the IndyCar standings on 197 points, while Munoz (262 points) strengthened his hold on sixth overall, although he was overhauled by Team Penske's Montoya (263), who moved into fifth.

Montoya's teammate Will Power (386) remains first in the overall standings ahead of Sunday's second race in Houston, while another Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves (353) is second.

Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay (336) is third overall, ahead of Simon Pagenaud of Schmidt Peterson (295).

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