“The fee will triple if you win five,” Mears said.įoyt, 86, suggested that today’s tech-laden open-wheeled machines could eventually produce a six- or seven-time winner. Of course, Mears also warned his former protege that if he won a fifth Indy, he’d also be lonely as the only member of that club. He’s worked hard for it and he did a hell of a job getting that fourth.” And I’m pretty sure Helio feels very similar in that way. “So, to be able to be with them, it was incredible. “I know when I won the fourth to get up here with two of my heroes, even though the number was the same, I was still not in their category,” said Mears, 69, Castroneves’ former mentor at Penske. ![]() Overcoming his long gap between his third and fourth Indy wins demonstrated a doggedness that impressed Mears. Mears won in 1979, ‘84, ’88 and '91, with that final victory requiring passing Michael Andretti late on the outside after being passed on the previous lap on a restart before pulling away in a backup car.Ĭastroneves seemed on a fast track to four with Indy wins in 2001, ‘02 and ’09, though his second win over Paul Tracy involved controversy and a lengthy postrace review. Mario Andretti exited late and Roberto Guerrero's car stalled in the pits, allowing “Big Al” to take over and lead the final 17 laps to tie Foyt. Unser (1970, ’71, ‘78 and ’87) initially wasn't on Penske's Indy roster for the last one but took over for injured Danny Ongais - his replacement - and drove a March-Cosworth show car pulled from a Pennsylvania hotel lobby. Having good cars certainly helped, but their wins all involved overcoming daunting challenges and a bit of luck.įoyt was the first to four, winning in 1961, ‘64, ’67 and ‘77, building his own chassis for several of those victories. ![]() There’s 32 other guys who want it as bad as you do.” “It’s not always that you’re going to think you’re going to win because your chances are very slim. “Some days the race track smiles on you and some days, you got it the other way,” said Unser, 82. They continued reminiscing at the table, emphasizing that while they sometimes made it look easy during their careers it was never that way. I couldn’t be prouder.”įoyt, Mears and Unser reflected on their Indy conquests over dinner Monday night before Castroneves arrived. “To see him win his fourth race, it was tremendous. “He’s part of the family,” the Captain said via an online feed. 4 came with Meyer Shank Racing a year after a long tenure with Team Penske. Roger Penske, the motorsports titan who earned nearly half his record 18 Indy 500 wins with Unser, Mears and Castroneves in particular, also praised Castroneves even though win No. The foursome chatted at a table in the pagoda before they flashed their Indy 500 rings and smiled during a group photo with the imposing Borg-Warner Trophy on the Brickyard. ![]() He, Foyt and Unser happily welcomed Castroneves into the fold and The Associated Press was present for the event this week at the famed speedway. It had been 30 years since the club added a member and that was Mears. They said they will (add one) if I win five.” I asked them if there is any membership fee or something like that. "They helped me to set goals and I really pushed for it, and (Tuesday) I joined their club. “Every time I’m with them, it blows my mind away," said Castroneves, 46. The Brazilian driver’s fourth Indy 500 victory two months ago took 12 years to achieve, and the reality of being mentioned alongside the drivers he idolizes still has him pinching himself. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears, the only other drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 four times.įor Castroneves, that carried special meaning beyond the brotherhood of racing. Or the chance to talk and laugh with A.J. Such as pouring red-hot liquid bronze into a mold for two bricks chiseled with his name, one of which will be placed on hallowed ground: the Yard of Bricks start/finish line of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. INDIANAPOLIS – Helio Castroneves is taking his sweet time getting his mind around the spoils of winning his fourth Indianapolis 500.
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