Castroneves chasing history at Indy 500

The specks of grey in Helio Castroneves’ jet black hair tell one part of his legacy.

While the Brazilian admittedly is on the back end of his career now, there’s one way he feels forever young: Scaling the fence and sipping the milk in victory lane at Indianapolis. That part never gets old.

“This track is like a part of history. People have been coming to this place for over 100 years. We’re like gladiators,” Castroneves said. “I think every driver has wanted to drive the Indianapolis 500, so this place is the place, this is the place of gods for drivers.”

Here, he has savoured his greatest victories, endured his most bitter losses, embraced some of life’s great milestones.

Two weeks ago, Castroneves was at the famed Brickyard to make his 300th IndyCar start, the same weekend he turned 40, or what he prefers to call the 10th anniversary of his 30th birthday.

The longtime Team Penske star is one of two foreign-born drivers with three Indianapolis 500 wins. He’s also finished second twice in the series’ biggest race, including last season when he lost by just 0.06 seconds to Ryan Hunter-Reay in the second-closest finish in race history. He’s one of eight rookies to win the race and one of five drivers with back-to-back wins.

If he can add a fourth championship Sunday, Castroneves will become the fourth member of the most exclusive club at Indianapolis. But after trying five times to join A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears, and on the verge of the longest winless drought of his 500 career, Castroneves insists time is not running short. He believes fans are rooting for him.

“I think they want to be part of history,” he said. “I saw Rick win his fourth in ‘92 on TV, and that was awesome. I didn’t see A.J. or Al Sr. win their fourth. So I think for the generation today, who didn’t see Rick win No. 4, how cool would that be?”