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Castroneves Wins 3rd Indy 500

By the Associated Press

Posted May 24, 2009 3:58 PM CDT
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(AP) – Helio Castroneves won his third Indianapolis 500 today, beating 2005 winner Dan Wheldon by 1.981 seconds and leaving Danica Patrick in third, the best finish by a woman at Indianapolis. With 10 laps to go, Castroneves' lead was 1.38 seconds, and he continued widening the gap the rest of the way. Townsend Bell was fourth and Will Power fifth. Last year's winner, Scott Dixon, finished sixth.

Castroneves, who started from the pole, had a half-second lead over teammate Ryan Briscoe before a hard crash by Vitor Meira and rookie Raphael Matos brought out the yellow caution with 26 laps to go in today's race. But Briscoe had to come in for fuel, moving Wheldon up to second and Patrick third. The green came out after 183 of the 200 laps, and Castroneves began pulling away for good.

Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, celebrates after his pit crew in Indianapolis, Friday, May 22, 2009.
Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, celebrates after his pit crew in Indianapolis, Friday, May 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Helio Castroneves, foreground, of Brazil, leads the field at the start/finish line on a restart during the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 24, 2009.
Helio Castroneves, foreground, of Brazil, leads the field at the start/finish line on a restart during the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis,...   (Mark Humphrey)
Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, douses himself with milk after winning the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 24, 2009.
Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, douses himself with milk after winning the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Helio Castroneves, foreground, of Brazil, heads into the first turn in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 24, 2009.
Helio Castroneves, foreground, of Brazil, heads into the first turn in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tom Strattman)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Robert_Dada
May 25, 2009 7:59 AM CDT
What Tim? I hate all auto racing. All sports for that matter. They are a complete waste of time and resources.
Timinator2K
May 25, 2009 2:56 AM CDT
Robert, you and your redneck NASCAR pals are just jealous 'cause Danica may not cross over to your good ole boy racin' circuit.
Robert_Dada
May 24, 2009 11:50 AM CDT
Big f*ucking deal. It's all just one big high speed left turn.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 
auto racing • Helio Castroneves • Danica Patrick • Indy 500 • Jay-ZTV

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