INDIANAPOLIS — The first three days of Indianapolis 500 practice have been more methodical than messy, with clean track time and few interruptions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Still, Helio Castroneves found a way to stand out.
The four-time Indy 500 champion posted the second-fastest speed of the day at 226.977 mph, another early sign that the 51-year-old still has the pace — and the hunger — as he chases history in his latest return to the Brickyard.
Castroneves is back at IMS for his pursuit in a record-setting fifth Indy 500 victory. He’s already tied with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears for the most wins in race history, having captured the Borg-Warner Trophy in 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2021. Castroneves also could become the oldest winner, surpassing Unser’s mark from 1987.
And while the results sheet may suggest comfort, Castroneves admitted he still has plenty to learn about the new format and the modern challenge of qualifying up front.
“I’m still trying to understand this qualifying to be honest,” Castroneves said.
Castroneves hasn’t qualified inside the top 15 since his 2021 win, and he acknowledged that the evolving design of IndyCar’s superspeedway package has made it increasingly difficult to carve through traffic when starting deep in the field.
“No question, the way they design the cars are changing,” he said. “It’s becoming a little bit harder when you’re starting in the back.”
That’s why the focus for Castroneves and Meyer Shank Racing this month is clear: put themselves in position early.
“That’s the main focus for us,” he said. “Lock in the top 15.”
While the veteran’s ultimate goal remains a fifth trophy, Castroneves said it’s the feeling of driving at IMS that continues to pull him back year after year.
“You know, what motivates me is when I did my first lap on the open test, I went out (on the) back straight and I was like, ‘Oh, I love this. This is the best feeling in the world,’” he said.
Even with some uncertainty entering the month, Castroneves said the car felt better than expected once he climbed back in.
“I was worried about, you know, I’m gonna be feeling a little uncomfortable,” he said. “It was like a glove.”
That comfort — along with the belief in his team — is why Castroneves says he still sees this run as more than just a one-off opportunity.
“That keeps me coming back, and because the opportunity we have it’s so unique, and so incredible I feel that we can’t just pass it alone,” he said. “We gotta keep it going.”
As long as the team remains strong around him, Castroneves said, the pursuit of history is still very much alive.
“I love it,” he said. “I really really love it.”
And if everything comes together on the final Sunday of May, Castroneves knows exactly what the reward would mean — not just to IndyCar history, but to his own legacy.
“I want to keep pushing as hard as I can and hopefully we’re gonna go to the Guinness book,” he said.
Jessica Garcete is an IndyStar sports reporter. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Helio Castroneves among top Indy 500 practice results, motivated for record win
