Castroneves' run at track is over
By Dave Caldwell
New York Times News Service
INDIANAPOLIS -- Helio Castroneves, the Spiderman of auto racing, scaled the giant fence at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the third straight year on Sunday. But this ascent was different. Another driver had beaten Castroneves, and invited him to join the celebration.
Gil De Ferran, a fellow Brazilian and his Penske Racing teammate, held off Castroneves to win the Indianapolis 500 by 0.2990 seconds, the third-closest finish in race history. Castroneves was trying to become the first driver to win three Indy 500s in a row.
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De Ferran, 35, a first-time winner, also participated in the more traditional post-race festivities, including sipping milk in the winner's circle and kissing the bricks at the start-finish line. But the celebration was subdued, especially when compared to Castroneves.
"I don't allow myself to get carried away," De Ferran said.
See story on Page 3C.
