<!–>
Helio Castroneves won the first time he raced in the Indianapolis 500. He won his second one the following year, and a quest for history began in earnest following that 2002 triumph.
He had to wait a little bit before the third came and that was in his ninth. And he drank the milk in his history-tying fourth in his 21st Indianapolis 500.
Unsuccessful in three attempts for a history-making fifth Indy 500 victory, Castroneves is back for more. He ranked in the top 10 in opening-day practice Tuesday for the Indianapolis 500, which will be his 25th.
If Castroneves captures his fifth Borg-Warner Trophy this year, would it finally be his last start in the race?
“I’m going to come back and try for six,” Castroneves said with a little bit of a laugh. “I want a statue.”
Going for a statue likely wasn’t on Castroneves’ radar when he first won the Indy 500 as a 500 rookie in 2001 (it was his fourth open-wheel season but 2001 was his first Indy 500 amid the split of open-wheel racing series).
ADVERTISEMENT
–>
His 2001, 2002 and 2009 wins came for team owner Roger Penske, with a 2007 notable victory of a different sort — in “Dancing With The Stars” — between the second and third wins.
After driving for 20 years in INDYCAR for Penske, Castroneves landed a ride with Meyer Shank Racing for 2021. And he promptly won in a year that was a partial schedule for him that eventually turned into two more full-time seasons before now doing a schedule of select races.
Ask Castroneves about why at age 50 he continues to try for that fifth win, and he will give a variety of answers as he tries to break a tie for the most 500 wins with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears.
First comes the Meyer Shank team, which fields cars for Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong on a full-time basis.
“Basically winning that fourth, putting the team on the map [in INDYCAR] and they know that they can do it again, whether it’s me or my two other teammates. They know they can do it,” Castroneves said.
“And that’s probably why we keep on pushing. We feel that we’re going to another level as a team.”
Part of that growth is a new alliance for Shank with Chip Ganassi Racing, which has won the Indianapolis 500 five times and the series championship 16 times.
“We have a different partnership now, which really, really helps,” Castroneves said. “I’m really looking forward to it. … I’m noticing the difference and I’m happy we were able to do that. They don’t win races or championships because they’re lucky.”
Castroneves also says he feels rejuvenated after turning 50 last Sunday.
“I feel I have a brand-new engine,” Castroneves said. “I feel that I’m like ready to go. … They say life starts at 50, so I’m ready to start again.”
But he cites another reason for his rejuvenation.
In the last few years, he has raced in other disciplines, including stock cars in Brazil and the Daytona 500. While a Penske driver, his opportunities were limited to what he could drive outside of an INDYCAR.
Instead of declining as he ages, he feels he has improved as a driver over the last few years.
“For you to become a good driver, you’ve got to drive different cars,” Castroneves said. “And I feel that now I have the opportunity to do that. When I spent 20-plus years with Penske, I wasn’t able to do that.
“Now it just feels like I’m a late bloomer. Everything started late in my life, which is fine. You just keep it going. As long as I have the desire, the fun, and I know that I can do it, I will keep pushing.”
For now, he doesn’t have a contract beyond 2025, but he does hope to race at least in 2026.
“Obviously, we have a contract for this year,” Castroneves said. “I’m looking for another year as well. But as of right now, we’re thinking for this week, the next couple of weeks.”
Certainly his teammates like having him around.
Armstrong, at age 24, wasn’t even a year old when Castroneves first raced in the Indianapolis 500. As a Ganassi driver who is racing for Meyer Shank this year, Armstrong has picked the brains of three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti (who advises Ganassi drivers) and Castroneves.
He said Franchitti likes to theorize the entire race, while “Helio is a bit more simple and flamboyant.”
Few are as flamboyant as Castroneves, who found it funny when he was talking to Franchitti and Tony Kanaan in the paddock area before practice Tuesday.
“It was the most fun five minutes that I had because we’re just talking about, ‘Imagine the kids looking at us right now, look at those bunch of old farts,’” Castroneves said. “Which is probably what we used to look at the other guys and say.”
To say he has a spring in his step is an understatement. At 50, he seems ready for many more beyond his 25th Indianapolis 500.
“It’s just a different feeling,” Castroneves said. “This place brings the best out of me. And I’m just excited and ready for this race.”
BEST OF FOX SPORTS’ INDY 500 COVERAGE:
Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
<!–>
recommended
Get more from NTT INDYCAR SERIES Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
–>
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
2025 NFL schedule: Chiefs, Commanders, Cowboys among league leaders in standalone games
The three NFL teams that got the most standalone games are a curious mix.The league leaders, at eight standalone games each (barring games being flexed): Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL's current dynasty, Washington Commanders coming off a breakthrough season with exciting young star Jayden Daniels, and the Dallas Cowboys, the league's biggest brand. A 7-10 Cowboys season didn't dissuade the league from putting it on prime time and other exclusive windows.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOne proven contender, one potential contender, and a team whose popularity doesn't wane despite its record.When the NFL puts together its regular season schedule, which was released Wednesday evening, an easy way to gauge which teams the league considers its most popular draws is by looking at standalone games: prime time games on Thursday, Sunday and Monday nights, international games, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and a late-season Saturday doubleheader […]
WATCH: Red Sox make unbelievable catch as two outfielders combine to rob home run vs. Tigers
Getty Images The Boston Red Sox have one of the best defensive outfields in baseball, and they showed off their hands team Wednesday night. Right fielder Wilyer Abreu and center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela combined to take a home run away from Detroit Tigers slugger Kerry Carpenter in the seventh inning at Comerica Park (GameTracker).Here's the play. It's the baseball equivalent of a tip drill:The Tigers had the play reviewed just to make sure the ball didn't go over the wall and bounce back into the field of play. It did go over the wall, for sure, but it deflected off Abreu's glove and went right to Rafaela. That's your garden variety 9-8 putout. You don't see too many of those each year.Boston entered play Wednesday ranked fourth among all teams with plus-10 defensive runs saved from their outfield. It's not […]
Danilo Lavieri crava meio-campista “necessário” na convocação de Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti sob o comando do Real Madrid (Redes sociais Carlo Ancelotti) Em programa esportivo “News Esporte”, do Portal UOL, Danilo Lavieri analisou a futura convocação de Carlo Ancelotti com a seleção brasileira. Após algumas especulações, é possível que o treinador italiano opte por escolher jogadores que vivem grandes momentos no futebol europeu. Assim, cravou que o volante Casemiro é um possível retorno necessário para a amarelinha. Casemiro de volta à seleção brasileira? Durante o debate, os comentaristas esportivos relembraram que Ancelotti e Casemiro já trabalharam juntos no Real Madrid. O volante foi um dos grandes nomes da última geração do Brasil. Após algumas temporadas em baixa, o jogador do Manchester United tem chances de convocação. Lavieri acredita que o talento do meio-campista é completamente “necessário” para o elenco atual. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Danilo Lavieri explicou: “O dia a dia do […]
2025 NFL schedule release: All 32 hype videos in one place
<!--> The 2025 NFL schedule was released on Wednesday, which means every team in the league put their most creative minds together to release a big-budget schedule release video for their fans. Well, every team except one. The New York Jets opted against producing a schedule release video, instead posting a standard schedule graphic. Every other team went all out with their schedule release videos, which ranged from cinematic to absurd.Here are all the schedule release videos from Wednesday in one place:Buffalo BillsMiami DolphinsADVERTISEMENT -->New York JetsNew England PatriotsCincinnati BengalsBaltimore RavensPittsburgh SteelersCleveland BrownsKansas City ChiefsLos Angeles ChargersLas Vegas RaidersDenver BroncosJacksonville JaguarsTennessee TitansHouston TexansIndianapolis ColtsNew York GiantsPhiladelphia EaglesDallas CowboysWashington CommandersChicago BearsDetroit LionsMinnesota VikingsGreen Bay PackersTampa Bay BuccaneersAtlanta FalconsCarolina PanthersNew Orleans SaintsSan Francisco 49ersSeattle SeahawksArizona CardinalsLos Angeles RamsWant great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, […]
Nobru anuncia parceria em lançamento de novo smartphone gamer
Imagem: Divulgação O influenciador gamer Nobru e a marca de tecnologia realme anunciaram uma parceria, durante o evento de lançamento da linha realme 14 Series ao Brasil, realizado em São Paulo. Em comunicado, Nobru afirma que a parceria com a realme representa mais do que um novo capítulo em sua trajetória – é uma chance de ampliar seu alcance e influência além do cenário gamer. Ao se tornar embaixador do realme 14 Series, ele fortalece sua presença no universo da tecnologia e se posiciona como um nome relevante também no mercado de negócios, lifestyle e mais. A campanha reforça seu papel como uma figura multifacetada, que inspira não apenas jogadores, mas também jovens empreendedores, criadores de conteúdo e consumidores conectados. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Nobru também declarou: “Estar à frente de uma ação que une inovação, acessibilidade e atitude é, para mim, uma forma de mostrar que a tecnologia pode […]
2025 NFL schedule release: Full schedule for all 32 teams
<!--> The NFL released its full schedule for the 2025 season on Wednesday, May 14.The upcoming season kicks off on September 4th, when the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football.Here's the rest of the 2025 schedule:Week 1Thursday, September 4Cowboys at EaglesFriday, September 5Chiefs vs. Chargers (in Brazil)ADVERTISEMENT -->Sunday, September 7Steelers at JetsBengals at BrownsDolphins at ColtsRaiders at PatriotsGiants at CommandersPanthers at JaguarsCardinals at SaintsBuccaneers at FalconsTexans at RamsTitans at BroncosLions at Packers49ers at SeahawksRavens at BillsMonday, September 8Vikings at BearsWeek 2Thursday, September 11Eagles at ChiefsSunday, September 14Packers at FalconsSeahawks at LionsBears at BuccaneersColts at TexansRaiders at BillsRavens at BengalsChargers at Titans49ers at RamsGiants at CardinalsJets at CowboysCommanders at BroncosDolphins at PatriotsMonday, September 15Saints at PanthersBrowns at SteelersWeek 3Thursday, September 18Dolphins at BillsSunday, September 21Falcons at PanthersPackers at BrownsTexans at […]
Related
2025 NFL schedule: Chiefs, Commanders, Cowboys among league leaders in standalone games
The three NFL teams that got the most standalone games are a curious mix.The league leaders, at eight standalone games each (barring games being flexed): Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL's current dynasty, Washington Commanders coming off a breakthrough season with exciting young star Jayden Daniels, and the Dallas Cowboys, the league's biggest brand. A 7-10 Cowboys season didn't dissuade the league from putting it on prime time and other exclusive windows.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOne proven contender, one potential contender, and a team whose popularity doesn't wane despite its record.When the NFL puts together its regular season schedule, which was released Wednesday evening, an easy way to gauge which teams the league considers its most popular draws is by looking at standalone games: prime time games on Thursday, Sunday and Monday nights, international games, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and a late-season Saturday doubleheader […]
WATCH: Red Sox make unbelievable catch as two outfielders combine to rob home run vs. Tigers
Getty Images The Boston Red Sox have one of the best defensive outfields in baseball, and they showed off their hands team Wednesday night. Right fielder Wilyer Abreu and center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela combined to take a home run away from Detroit Tigers slugger Kerry Carpenter in the seventh inning at Comerica Park (GameTracker).Here's the play. It's the baseball equivalent of a tip drill:The Tigers had the play reviewed just to make sure the ball didn't go over the wall and bounce back into the field of play. It did go over the wall, for sure, but it deflected off Abreu's glove and went right to Rafaela. That's your garden variety 9-8 putout. You don't see too many of those each year.Boston entered play Wednesday ranked fourth among all teams with plus-10 defensive runs saved from their outfield. It's not […]
Danilo Lavieri crava meio-campista “necessário” na convocação de Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti sob o comando do Real Madrid (Redes sociais Carlo Ancelotti) Em programa esportivo “News Esporte”, do Portal UOL, Danilo Lavieri analisou a futura convocação de Carlo Ancelotti com a seleção brasileira. Após algumas especulações, é possível que o treinador italiano opte por escolher jogadores que vivem grandes momentos no futebol europeu. Assim, cravou que o volante Casemiro é um possível retorno necessário para a amarelinha. Casemiro de volta à seleção brasileira? Durante o debate, os comentaristas esportivos relembraram que Ancelotti e Casemiro já trabalharam juntos no Real Madrid. O volante foi um dos grandes nomes da última geração do Brasil. Após algumas temporadas em baixa, o jogador do Manchester United tem chances de convocação. Lavieri acredita que o talento do meio-campista é completamente “necessário” para o elenco atual. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Danilo Lavieri explicou: “O dia a dia do […]
2025 NFL schedule release: All 32 hype videos in one place
<!--> The 2025 NFL schedule was released on Wednesday, which means every team in the league put their most creative minds together to release a big-budget schedule release video for their fans. Well, every team except one. The New York Jets opted against producing a schedule release video, instead posting a standard schedule graphic. Every other team went all out with their schedule release videos, which ranged from cinematic to absurd.Here are all the schedule release videos from Wednesday in one place:Buffalo BillsMiami DolphinsADVERTISEMENT -->New York JetsNew England PatriotsCincinnati BengalsBaltimore RavensPittsburgh SteelersCleveland BrownsKansas City ChiefsLos Angeles ChargersLas Vegas RaidersDenver BroncosJacksonville JaguarsTennessee TitansHouston TexansIndianapolis ColtsNew York GiantsPhiladelphia EaglesDallas CowboysWashington CommandersChicago BearsDetroit LionsMinnesota VikingsGreen Bay PackersTampa Bay BuccaneersAtlanta FalconsCarolina PanthersNew Orleans SaintsSan Francisco 49ersSeattle SeahawksArizona CardinalsLos Angeles RamsWant great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, […]
Nobru anuncia parceria em lançamento de novo smartphone gamer
Imagem: Divulgação O influenciador gamer Nobru e a marca de tecnologia realme anunciaram uma parceria, durante o evento de lançamento da linha realme 14 Series ao Brasil, realizado em São Paulo. Em comunicado, Nobru afirma que a parceria com a realme representa mais do que um novo capítulo em sua trajetória – é uma chance de ampliar seu alcance e influência além do cenário gamer. Ao se tornar embaixador do realme 14 Series, ele fortalece sua presença no universo da tecnologia e se posiciona como um nome relevante também no mercado de negócios, lifestyle e mais. A campanha reforça seu papel como uma figura multifacetada, que inspira não apenas jogadores, mas também jovens empreendedores, criadores de conteúdo e consumidores conectados. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Nobru também declarou: “Estar à frente de uma ação que une inovação, acessibilidade e atitude é, para mim, uma forma de mostrar que a tecnologia pode […]
2025 NFL schedule release: Full schedule for all 32 teams
<!--> The NFL released its full schedule for the 2025 season on Wednesday, May 14.The upcoming season kicks off on September 4th, when the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football.Here's the rest of the 2025 schedule:Week 1Thursday, September 4Cowboys at EaglesFriday, September 5Chiefs vs. Chargers (in Brazil)ADVERTISEMENT -->Sunday, September 7Steelers at JetsBengals at BrownsDolphins at ColtsRaiders at PatriotsGiants at CommandersPanthers at JaguarsCardinals at SaintsBuccaneers at FalconsTexans at RamsTitans at BroncosLions at Packers49ers at SeahawksRavens at BillsMonday, September 8Vikings at BearsWeek 2Thursday, September 11Eagles at ChiefsSunday, September 14Packers at FalconsSeahawks at LionsBears at BuccaneersColts at TexansRaiders at BillsRavens at BengalsChargers at Titans49ers at RamsGiants at CardinalsJets at CowboysCommanders at BroncosDolphins at PatriotsMonday, September 15Saints at PanthersBrowns at SteelersWeek 3Thursday, September 18Dolphins at BillsSunday, September 21Falcons at PanthersPackers at BrownsTexans at […]
Be the first to leave a comment