Helio Castroneves Breaks IndyCar Winless Streak At Iowa

Column By: JOHN DOUGLAS / RPW – NEWTON, IA – It’s been two years since the exuberant smile of Helio Castroneves has filled an IndyCar victory lane. On Sunday he broke that streak in dominating fashion, leading the most laps on his way to victory in the Iowa Corn Growers 300. Teams had to deal with tricky track conditions all weekend long as the aging surface gave teams fits as they tried to find the perfect balance for their machines.

Will Power led the opening circuits of the race but Helio soon took the lead and began to pull away until the first yellow flag waved over the field for Mikhail Aleshin’s shunt into the outside wall on lap 58. Aleshin was checked and released from the care center.

Rain hindered the event on lap 208 as the red flag flew momentarily to allow the small, quick moving system to pass through. In a delay less than 30 minutes long, the race resumed with little effect to the surface or the racing, as Castroneves again showed his dominant form of old.

JR Hildebrand took the lead from Castroneves on a pitstop cycle late in the event as he decided to remain on track and take the chance that no one would run him down. Castroneves wasn’t to be denied. Using a lap car as a pick, Castroneves sneaked his way past Hildebrand pulling away to an easy and well received victory. Even climbing the frontstretch fence, bringing back an old tradition the Brazilian born Penske ace had created years before.

“What can I say im speechless! What a great feeling its just like the first time.” Castroneves said,

“We’ve been close so many times and finally luck was on our side. I’m just so honored to be part of this operation.I never doubetd it (that he could win) for a second. It was never in my mind. Great support from Team Penske they never gave up on me.”

Team Owner Roger Penske was asked directly if the rumors that Castroneves may hang up his open wheel career for a run in IMSA competition with Penske in 2018. Penske’s response did little to answer that rumor either way.

“To see that run Helio made all day, he controlled the race. Penske said, “There’s a lot of speculation of whats going on but we usually decide what we’re doing at the beginning of the season not the end.”

The next event for the Verizon IndyCar Series takes place on July 16th with the running of the Honda Indy Toronto. Coverage can be seen on the NBC family of networks.