Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009)

One of the most popular and recognizable drivers in the IndyCar Series. One of the most successful and talented drivers in the IndyCar Series. One of the most emotional drivers in the IndyCar Series.

All of these would be perfect descriptions of the "spider-man" of open-wheel racing: Helio Castroneves.

The Brazilian has been a consistent force at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since his rookie year in 2001. Driving for Team Penske in the team's first return to the Brickyard since the CART/IRL split, Castroneves showed the typical dominance of the Penske team at Indianapolis. He became the second straight rookie (Juan Montoya in 2000) to drink the milk at Indianapolis. After seeing the twin checkered flags, Castroneves stopped the car on the yard of bricks and climbed the fence in his trademark celebration.


Helio and Team Penske returned in 2002 to another strong performance...and, quite possibly, the biggest controversy since the first Indy 500 in 1911. Castroneves led Paul Tracy by .22 seconds with two laps to go. It had been 40 laps since Helio had last pitted, and was in danger of running out of fuel. Going into turn 3 on lap 199, Castroneves are side by side. Tracy makes the pass on the outside and takes the lead. As the pass was being attempted, a wreck in turn 2 brought out the caution. Race officials (correctly) ruled that the overtake occurred AFTER the yellow came out, and so the pass did not count. Castroneves SLOWLY coasted around the track to take the checkered flag, becoming the fifth back-to-back Indy 500 winner in history. Spider-Man made a reappearance!

He attempted to complete the first ever Indy 500 three-peat in 2003, and the month started off well when he won the pole position (his first of four in his Indy 500 career). However, he would come up just short, finishing second to teammate Gil de Ferran in the closest 1-2-3 finish in Indy 500 history.

The greatest story in the Indy career of Helio Castroneves came in 2009. He sat out the beginning of the year as he and his family faced a highly publicized trial. He was charged with conspiracy and multiple counts of tax evasion stemming from the late 1990s and early 2000s when he joined Team Penske. During Helio's absence, one that hit him and his family extremely hard, Will Power took over driving the #3 machine for Roger Penske.

On April 17, 2009, Castroneves was acquitted of all tax evasion charges. He was finally able to get back on the track where he belonged, just in time for May. And oh what a May it was!

It started on pole day. Castroneves had safely entered himself in the field on the outside of row 1. Late in the day, Danica Patrick withdrew an earlier time and attempted to re-qualify. She did so, over a full mile per hour quicker than her first attempt. Castroneves followed suit, and put up a four lap average of 224.864 mph. The next fastest qualifier was teammate Ryan Briscoe at 224.083 mph. This was the third pole position for Castroneves at Indy.

Next, it was Carb Day. Team Penske and Helio Castroneves won the $40,000 prize for winning the Pit Stop Competition. It was Roger Penske's record tenth overall victory in the Pit Stop Competition. The #3 team had a blistering pit stop in the finals, defeating Marco Andretti of Andretti Green Racing. The time: 7.962 seconds.

All that's left is Race Day. It did take two attempts to start the race as Castroneves jumped the gun on the first attempt. After that, though, it was pretty much smooth sailing for the two-time champ. His family watched, emotions flowing, as Helio left others in his dust on the way to his third Indy 500 victory. He is the only foreign-born driver to accomplish that feat.

Pole Position, Pit Stop Challenge, and Indy 500 champion. The perfect month of May. It was a storybook ending for a great man after a troublesome year. (Oh, and on Carb Day, the last of the charges against Castroneves and his family were dropped. Unbelievable).

Castroneves was always a force to be reckoned with at Indy. Even in years he didn't end up on top, it wasn't due to driver capabilities or car performances. In those "down" years, he would fall just short or have a strategy backfire in the late laps. In fact, he failed to finish the race only once (2006, accident). Every year from 2001-2010 (except for 2006), Castroneves finished in the top ten, an unbelievable feat that is likely not to be matched. He won the pole position in 2007, 2009, and 2010. He knows how to be fast at Indianapolis, year in and year out. He's been fast so far in the 2012 IndyCar season, and that isn't expected to change during the month of May.  A fan favorite, many of the 300,000+ on hand this Memorial Day weekend will be looking for Spider-Man to climb the fence once again!