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Dan Peters
Sports Editor
Oak Park
Journal
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© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Penske's
Dream Team...Helio & Rick Mears Shoots For Indy Immortality...
Going For 4
By
Mark Rotor
May 26th, 2010
It's Penske Perfect-
Penske Racing has been synonymous with winning in Indy Car since the
1969 when owner and President of Penske Roger began his quest for the
Borg Warner.
In the month of May, names like Sneva, Andretti, Bobby & Al Unser,
Sullivan, Mears and Castroneves have spelled success for Team Penske
with
fifteen Indianapolis 500 victories.
Only three drives in the 93 year history of Indy 500 have reached the
immortal
status capturing four victories A.J. Foyte, Al Unser and Rick Mears.
Foyt won his first in 1961 and his final Indy victory in 1977 over an
eighteen year span. Al Unser spent the better part of the 70’s
accumulating three
Indy victories and waited nine years until the age of 47 to capture his
forth
trophy in 1987. While driving for Penske, Rick Mears accomplished the
task in the
shortest period of time 13 years, winning his first 500 in 1979 and his
last
in ’91 at the age of 40.
This year, expectations are high for the defending Indy 500 winner
Helio
Castroneves to repeat as champions and to join the elite of Indy racing
with
a fourth victory on May 30th.
Castroneves Fastest of The 9, Takes The Pole At 227.970 mph
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Yolanda Rotor
Team Penske has united former four-time Indy 500 champion Rick Mears
with
Castroneves creating a dream team of adviser and driver. Under the
tutelage of
Mears both consultant and spotter for the Penske #3 car Castroneves was
successful last year taking both pole and trophy in 2009. This year,
Castroneves took the "PEAK Performance Pole Award" in the Fast-Nine
Shoot-Out
competition accomplishing the first half of the team's goal. "It's the
best place
to start and now we have to go for 500 hundred miles so everybody,
cross your fingers we
still got a long way to go," said Castroneves.
Castroneves won his first Indy 500 at the age of 26 in 2001 and has an
opportunity to win his fourth in the shortest time-span (9-years) with
the potential
of being the youngest driver to win his fourth 500 at the age of 35.
“Having Rick on the radio at the Indy 500, that’s the secret,” said
Castroneves.
“He has a lots of experience at this place. Basically, he is there to
make sure
I don’t have any issues and stay out of trouble especially when someone
comes
from behind taking unnecessary chances.
"In fact, he saved me many, many times from a bad situation. I’m glad
to have
Rick at my side as a spotter, someone with such incredible experience
having
the secret at Indy.”
Rick
Mears Penske Consultant & Mentor To Helio
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
The Fourth Time Is The Charm! - Joining Indy's Immortal
When asked about entering Indy’s elite both Castroneves and Mears are
quite modest.
"To me, Rick, A.J. and Al are the gods of racing," Helio said. "I am so
honored
to have this opportunity right now so, I don’t take it for granted and
if
anything I have a much to learn. I’m honored to be compared with those
guys and honored to be in this position."
“To be compared in any way to A.J. and Al two of my heroes, is a great
honor,”
Mears said. “Over the years comparing all of us, I think it's the
desire and the love
of what we do sitting in that race car and beating the competition.'
'That love of what we do creates the desire, the desire creates the
results,"said Mears.
"And all of us are fortunate to have good equipment and the right
people behind us to
allow us to accomplish those things. The final thing is to have a lot
of
lady luck on your side and the car moving in the right direction.“
Helio Relaxes During A Team Penske Autograph Secession
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
File Photo By Yolanda Rotor
Keeping The Eyes On The Prize
With 32 other drivers, and an elite team like Target Ganassi with Scott
Dixon and
Dario Franchitti no one associated with Indy racing would assume Team
Penske's Helio
Castroneves will walk away with the 2010 Indy 500 and a fourth victory.
"Certainly Team Penske and I, we're going to do our best to see if we
can
accomplish that goal said," Castroneves. "I have to say, you guys
basically
comparing, talking about it. I'm trying to focus on the race, go out
there
and win the race. Yes, Indianapolis is the most important one. Again,
if it's
not that this time, there going to be a next race."
“I feel very confident as always because I know team Penske will give
me their
best but we still have to compete for the full 500 miles.”
“It would be a dream come true to be a part of an incredible group
(four-time winner). “It is already an honor to be a three-time winner
but it
would be just great. I’m doing every thing I can to make it happen. I’m
fortunate to be in this position, so I cross my fingers and try to make
it
happen. Hopefully we’ll make it four.”
Helio
Celebrates 2009 Indy Victory
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
Photo by Mark Rotor
Race Day Coverage: Sunday May 30th - The Indianapolis 500,
- TV Coverage:
- 12:00PM CT on ABC Network
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
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