Helio Castroneves' third Indianapolis 500 victory capped a month of personal triumph for the Brazilian, but also provided a record 15th trip to Victory Lane for the Penske operation. After the celebrations, the Brazilian faced the media alongside team owner Roger Penske and president Tim Cindric.
Pat Sullivan - MC
We know that this man now has orchestrated a 15th Indianapolis win. He did exactly what I know they plan to do or want to do every month of May. They won the pole, they won the pit stop competition and won the race. Any way you slice it, that's a clean sweep, and that's a great day.
Roger Penske:
We talked with Helio about the win of his life a couple of weeks ago, and he comes back do show you. Outside he has that personality, he climbs the fence, but inside he's as tough of nails. He had to be to go through what he went through the last six months. It's really a credit to the team. Great to see how Briscoe ran. Will Power was up there. Sorry to see my son Jay's car have the problem. But you look up to that podium, that's the one thing during this race, you look up at the podium for two reasons; where are you and how many laps to go. And I think about 85 or 90 laps, that 9 and 10 car were out there doing a pretty good job, and I said it's going to be a long day. But we stayed on our game plan; the pit stops were sharp. For some reason, Ryan thought he had a tire go down, and we got a lap down and able to get him back into second, but unfortunately we were probably four or five laps short and we had to come in. So it was just one of those things, but it was a great day.
It's a credit to Tim Cindric, who will come in here, obviously, and the consistency. I think I said before probably 800 years of experience on this team, and it's interesting that Rick Rinaman has had, I think, 12 wins, too. He's a crew chief that's been on the team, not always as a crew chief, but certainly as a key part of our whole team. So it's consistent sponsor, consistent wins, and this guy is something else. Give a big hand. (Applause)
Pat Sullivan - MC
Welcome the winner of the 93rd Indianapolis 500 and three-time winner, Helio Castroneves, and Tim Cindric.
Mr. Penske just talked about your toughness, Helio, and I think about the emotional Victory Lanes we've seen in years past. Bobby Rahal certainly had an emotional Victory Lane, and Emerson one time comes to mind and the famous Al Unser Jr. Victory Lane. But I don't know if I've every seen one like that, and all I could think was this has all the makings of a made-for-TV drama. It is the most incredible finish to a set of circumstances. And all of us in Indianapolis were hoping you'd be here, simply be here for the month of May. And to be here and win, wow. How about that?
Helio Castroneves:
That's exactly what I said, wow. When I was inside the helmet and still on the victory lap, I, normally I cry -- no, actually I scream to the guys and celebrate, and this time I have no words, just let it go. It was a very special moment that last, the celebrating lap. I was a little upset because I to stop and I keep hearing breaking radio, "You've got to go to Victory Lane." I didn't know where Victory Lane is because the last two times I was here was exactly where I stopped. So I was like I've got go over the fence. What they did for me during this very difficult time; they never stopped sending great messages. As you said, I heard it all what I'm talking about. It is a great way to pay them back. What a great way to show that I am so honoured to have fans like that. I will never forget so many positive messages.
Obviously, I keep telling this to Roger and Cindric to give me -- and our partners, to never stop believing in me and to give my life back, to be in the race car again and to be here in Victory Lane and to be here in Indianapolis, winning for the third time is just, without you guys, I wouldn't be able to do that. So thank you so much.
Pat Sullivan - MC
Before we go to the questions, Tim let's get a comment from you. One of the things Roger said, you never know what's happening in the month of May to some degree, you've been the dominant car in everybody's mind and all of a sudden, bingo, there go the two Target guys and they were looking awfully strong. What were your emotions at that time?
Tim Cindric:
I was about to ask him what was going on because all those things happen, and all of a sudden we're fifth, and he's as calm as can be. He was a lot calmer than I was, because I was sitting there trying to figure out what our next steps are going to be. Just like Indianapolis always is, it's a series of races inside of races, and you always have to look at the next stop and you know you have four or five more stops to make it up. If you can make up one stop, all of a sudden you're the leader. He actually had to pass a guy or two to get there. We knew we had the right guy behind the wheel.
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