INDIANAPOLIS -- If betting were allowed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as it is at Churchill Downs, Helio Castroneves would be this year's "betters' favorite."
After becoming the first player in history to win each of his first two attempts and then going on to grab the pole this year, Castroneves seems dialed into making a solid run at a third invitation to victory lane.
Prodding Castroneves along throughout the month have been the fans. "Everybody has been really supportive, to be honest. I am really happy about it," Castroneves said on bump day. "I couldn't do it without everybody's help. A lot of people want to see me in victory lane but a lot of people don't want to see me in victory lane. But hey, tough luck," he said with a smile.
Last year, the Sao Paulo, Brazil, native became the first driver to win consecutive races since Al Unser in 1970-71. His effort also made him the fifth driver to win two in a row. If Castroneves can capture the checkered flag again this year, he will become the first driver in race history to win three in a row while becoming the first driver ever to win his first three attempts.
If Castroneves can capture the elusive third-straight win, he said he plans to celebrate in the same fashion as he did with win one and two.
"Tradition will keep going. Not only will we climb the fence but we will drink the milk as well," Castroneves said on bump day.
As his thirst for the milk continues to thrive, Castroneves said his nerves are under control.
"It all depends on how you conduct yourself," he said of the pressure. "The way I am approaching this race is that it's just another one. Obviously it's very special and if it's meant to be it will be. I am going to do my best and our team is going to do its best. Hopefully we'll get out of here with a big smiley face."
Helping him in his quest for Indy 500 history will be one of the winningest team owners in the 87-year old race. Roger Penske has won a record 12 times at Indianapolis. He was most successful during the 1980s when Team Penske won five out of ten races from 1980 to1990 in Indy. By the turn of the 1990s Penske and his now-famous drivers, such as Rick Mears, Bobby Unser, Al Unser and Danny Sullivan, had tallied seven Indy 500 wins.
Those 12 wins come with a few years off from the track. Speedway president Tony George created the Indy Racing League in 1996. However, Penske stayed with Championship Auto Racing Teams.
But after a break, Penske returned to the motor speedway in 2001 and has won each race since, both with Castroneves in the driver's seat.
On a windy pole day of qualifying this year, Penske relied on his past experience when it came to the decision of when to run. Castroneves' run came quite late in the session.
"Well, it's unbelievable when you think about coming here to Indianapolis and just seeing everything that goes on," Penske said.
"And today (pole day), the wind this morning, we just weren't comfortable ... wanting to run as clear as we had to to get the speed we wanted. We just made the decision; we've done it before with Mears and said let's wait and make that decision because we had a full day of good weather."
Penske's call of when to run was right on the button as Castroneves won the pole with a time of 231.725. He was the only driver to break the 232-mph barrier on pole day. As far as Castroneves' feelings for Team Penske, the 28-year-old driver summed it up with three simple sentences.
"They have a lot of experience. The results speak for themselves. I just hope we can add a little bit more," he said.
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