51-year-old Helio Castroneves has Indy 500 desire to 'go to the Guinness book'
Helio Castroneves hit 226.977 mph Thursday at IMS, continuing his push for a record fifth Indy 500 win. And he's still learning on the job.
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.