Helio Castroneves
Helio Castroneves
Hélio Castro-Neves, better known as Hélio Castroneves, is a Brazilian auto racing driver competing in the IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 23 wins and 38 poles, and placed second in the season standings four times, third two times and fourth four times. Prior to IndyCar, Castroneves competed in the CART championship, with a highest championship points finish of fourth; he recorded six wins and seven pole positions in the series...
NationalityBrazilian
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth10 May 1975
CitySao Paulo, Brazil
CountryBrazil
It was just not enough. If we were like NASCAR and had bumpers, I'm sure I would have won the race.
Wow, I don't even know what to say. Those final ten laps were the hardest in my life. The race reminded me a lot of 2002 when I won my second Indianapolis 500 -- to be able to win the first time in a touring car is just an amazing feeling. I'm so fortunate to have had this opportunity and to have been able to compete with three wonderful drivers. We had a great team and a fantastic car. I just consider myself lucky to have been in the right place at the right time.
Close to the end, when I saw Sam coming, I tried to make a move. I tried to take advantage of the momentum, put me side by side with Dan. But it just was not enough. If we would be like NASCAR and have bumpers, I'm sure we would have won the race by now.
Being patient, and backing off. A race is not won on the first lap. A car changes during a race.
I tell you, if we would be like NASCAR - have bumpers - for sure I would have won the race. But this is not NASCAR.
I can't believe it. I actually thought I had won the race. I tried very hard. Based on previous races with Dan, there was no way I was going to give him much room, but he beat me anyway. I guess it was not meant to be.
I'm sure it's going to be faster. And hopefully we're right on top of it.
Incredible. I mean, we have to face it, this is the second-best event of the series.
I know what's going on, but for me it's very comfortable having my dad, my sister taking care of things. It's an investment. I know I'm not going to race forever.
I'm proud of you. You're going to win a race soon.
Eighty-percent driver, I think the last 20 percent is the team, or 30 percent because of pit stops.
The banana is good for retaining water, and the sugar brings me up. It's going to look like oatmeal when it's done, but it tastes much better.
They have to worry about finishing ahead of me. I have to just finish ahead of them. At this point of the season, you don't think what might happen or keep track of the points; you just go for it, and that is what we are planning right now.
Once I made the top six, it was, 'OK, now it's time to go for it,