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HELIO CASTRONEVES

Won Indy 2001, 2002, 2009

Date of interview: May 2015

Helio is witty and relaxed. With three victories as of 2015, he is just one notch away from joining the elite group of drivers with four victories: A. J. Foyt, Rick Mears, and Al Unser.

Helio Castroneves, still wearing his helmet and HANS Device, scales the fence and pumps his fist for the appreciative fans.

Helio’s Team Penske pit crew joins in the salute.

ON WHICH CHAMPIONSHIP RING HE’S WEARING:

The last one. A whole drawer full eventually; that is the goal! [laughs]

GOLDEN MOMENT:

I think you never forget your first. But you also remember very well your last. And the circumstances, especially [during] the last . . . I wasn’t even thinking about Indianapolis. There were so many other issues that were happening . . .

When I came out there victorious it was an amazing, amazing accomplishment.

ON GOING INTO THE “ZONE” BEFORE GETTING INTO THE RACER:

For me, when you put the visor down, it’s like a shield when you go into a battle.

Watch out, man! [laughs] ‘Cause I’m ready.

I’d been conducting an interview in the “drivers and VIPs only” section at the “Public Drivers Meeting” the day before race day. As the proceedings started I clearly felt out of place there. When Helio (pronounced “Ellio”) and Sam Hornish strolled up, they paused to sign some promotional helmets that all the drivers were autographing. I had my camera with me and decided to request a “dual portrait” of the two Penkse teammates. I whispered in my best non-paparazzi voice; “Sam! and ‘Ellio!” Neither budged an inch, but Helio said under his breath: “Salmonella?”

A meditative calm settles on Helio before he climbs into the cockpit. Like virtually all of the current drivers he is a superb athlete.