![]() ![]() ![]() “Yes, he’s one of the older guys in the field, but he still had the same determination as any young guy out there.”Įven the driver Castroneves passed near the end of the race to emerge victorious was pleased – to a degree, anyway. ![]() I just wanted someone who had a ton of passion and dedication to achieving great things and Helio fit the bill. “When we were looking at drivers we of course had the option to choose a young, up-and-coming guy,” he said, of signing Castroneves for 2022. And the fact that he’s looking forward with such anticipation to winning his fifth victory at Indy next year I think is a story in itself.” “I think it really typifies the example that he’s set for our sport for these many, many years. “First of all, the fact that he achieved that goal here in 2021 just speaks to not only his driving capability, but to his energy and his enthusiasm that still remains for the sport after all these years,” Michaelian said. Jim Michaelian, CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, speaks in glowing tones of the feat. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears for most Indy 500 victories. I was able to do exactly what I needed to and the team understood it, too.” PRAISE FOR SPIDER-MANĬastroneves did his traditional Spider-Man climb up the fence after his victory, which tied him with A.J. “So when you have that sweet spot, understanding what the car is capable of, it makes life predictable. “And I knew what the car was doing,” he said. He said he got stronger with each lap around the 2.5-mile track. “And then come race day, the car was actually better.”Ĭastroneves used an analogy that baseball players often recite to describe the way the ball hits the bat, when talking about how well things went that day. “I said, ‘Guys, it looks really strong, I would not touch the car,’” Castroneves said. Keeping in mind the Indy 500 was Castroneves’ first Ind圜ar race of the season, he recalls having a conversation with his new team after qualifying eighth. “The goal was always to be full-time in the near future and I do believe we definitely accelerated not only Mike, but I think the sponsors,” said Castroneves, who will complete his six-race partial 2021 ride with Meyer Shank during Sunday’s season finale in Long Beach. One development following the historic win was Meyer Shank Racing two months later signing Castroneves to a full ride for the 2022 season.Ĭastroneves said it was something he and Mike Shank had spoken about. “Giving fans that record, it shows that when you work hard and put your mind to it, anything’s possible.” “You know, like first time with the team, knowing everyone for the first time and having that kind of result for the biggest race of the season. “That’s where I feel most accomplished in doing that with such a short time,” said Castroneves, of Brazil. He had only seven Ind圜ar races since that time when he won the Indy 500 four months ago in his first race with Meyer Shank. Castroneves’ last full NTT Ind圜ar series ride was with Penske in 2017. ![]()
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