After winning his legal battle last month, Helio Castroneves was able to to continue his return to stardom, winning his third Indianapolis 500. After starting from the pole, Castroneves became only the 6th driver to win the Indy 500 three times. In a tearful celebration, the only words that Castroneves could muster up was “this is incredible.” He continued, “you [fans] are what kept me strong”.
The victory was also a record 15th Indy 500 win for Roger Penske, who congratulated his driver in pit lane.
Castroneves’ victory did not come easy. Throughout the day, he was plagued with various issues in his Honda Dallera. From the start of the race, the driver was having trouble communicating with his team due to radio problems. Midway through the race, Castroneves’ team had to repair gear box issues.
After leading the first 8 laps (7 of which were under caution) Castroneves lost the lead to Dario Franchitti on the restart. That was the last time Castroneves would contend, as he slipped back through the field. On lap 142, Castroneves took the lead in the same way it was taken away from him on lap 8. From that point, he never looked back.
Despite Castroneves’ celebration, there were scary moments on Sunday in Indianapolis.
The race didn’t go one lap before the first caution came out. Mario Moraes moved into the top lane, despite Marco Andretti being right above him. Moraes made contact with Andretti, hitting the wall and ending both Andretti and his day.
On lap 57, Graham Rahal’s day ended in the same manner that his day ended in 2008. Rahal was running loose and hit the wall coming out of turn 4.
On lap 98, Tony Kanaan ended the streak of leading every Indy 500 he’s been in at seven after crashing hard into the wall on the frontstretch. Something broke on the right rear of the car, shooting Kanaan’s 7-11 Honda straight into the wall. He limped out of the infield medical center, but was ok.
During a pit stop, Vito Meira attempted to leave the pits with his fuel hose still attached, breaking the fuel line, and causing his car to catch fire. Despite singed eyebrows a burned car, Meira was able to continue the race, even staying on the lead lap.
Vito Meira and Raphael Matos were involved in a hard wreck on lap 174. The two drivers were racing side by side coming out of turn 4, when Matos, went below his driving line, getting into Meira’s car. Meira then went nose first into the wall, became airborne, and slid with the bottom of his car against the wall.
Both drivers were transported to a local hospital with complaints of pain. Meira was complaining of severe back pain, but was moving all his extremities.
