Juan Pablo Montoya takes fourth in Grand Prix of Long Beach return

Juan Pablo Montoya celebrated his return to Long Beach after 14 years with a fourth-place finish.

Montoya won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in 1999 but then left for Formula One racing in 2001 and, six years later, NASCAR stock car racing. He’s back in IndyCar with Team Penske.

The Colombian started 16th, was sent to the back of the 23-car field for improperly entering the pits when they were closed but then gained several spots thanks to a multicar crash midway through the race.

“I could have been a little more aggressive at the end, but I really wanted to make sure we didn’t get in any trouble and got a decent finish,” he said.

Bourdais’ troubles

Sebastien Bourdais had high hopes of winning the Long Beach race for the fourth time.

Instead, the French driver twice plowed into the tire barriers in Turn 8 of the 11-turn street course when he was unable to slow enough through the sharp right-hander.

“This one really hurts,” said Bourdais, who started third in the Verizon IndyCar Series race and finished 14th. “I had a great car and I just made a mistake.”

Wilson, Dixon collide

Near the end of the race, Justin Wilson attempted to pass Scott Dixon for the lead. Instead, their cars touched and Wilson’s went into the wall.

Wilson was none too happy about Dixon’s actions. “To be taken out in a way that is so deliberate and blatant, and not even see a penalty for it, I’m a little confused,” Wilson said.

“I feel bad for the accident” with Wilson, Dixon said. “I didn’t expect him to be there on the outside, so I will go talk to him.”

Indy Lights race

Gabby Chaves, 20, won the Long Beach 100, a race in IndyCar’s second-tier Indy Lights Series. Pole-sitter Zach Veach was second.

james.peltz@latimes.com

Twitter: @PeltzLATimes