Brazil’s Helio Castroneves captured the IndyCar Series season opening race Sunday then celebrated the win with an emotional tribute to fallen IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon.
After taking the checkered flag at the finish of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Castroneves got out of his car and paid tribute to his friend by stopping in turn 10 where he climbed a fence and patted a street sign in honour of Wheldon.
When he got to the green and white sign, Castroneves also lifted up his head and pointed skyward. Wheldon died five months ago in a horrific 15-car smash at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This was the first race since the death of Wheldon, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and the 2005 series champ.
“You can never question God’s mysteries, and today, for me, I ended up stopping at turn 10,” said Castroneves. “Honestly, I did not plan it. It was just the way it happened, and there was the sign Dan Wheldon Way. For me, and for all of us — the drivers and the fans — not having him here certainly we’ll miss.
“But we’ve got to remember him as he lived, the way he lived, and continue to pray for his family.”
Castroneves, who has won three Indy 500s, became the first three-time winner on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street circuit. It also marked his first win since September 2010 when he clinched the Twin Ring Motegi.
“It’s been a little while, but it never gets old,” Castroneves said. “I did say out loud, ‘If I start in the top six, I’ll win this race.’ And we did it; we are here in victory circle.” Castroneves finished 5.529 seconds ahead of Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon.
Castroneves passed Dixon on the outside of turn one for second place on lap 72, and three laps later overtook JR Hildebrand to take the lead. He then held Dixon off to the finish line.
Dixon has been the runner-up in all of Castroneves’ wins here.
Ryan Hunter-Reay finished third and Andretti Autosport teammate James Hinchcliffe was fourth. Ryan Briscoe of Team Penske finished fifth after starting on the front row next to teammate Will Power, who placed seventh.
