Castroneves outdoes last year's mark
INDIANAPOLIS -- Once again, Helio Castroneves couldn't hold back the tears.
The three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, who broke down in sobs in Victory Lane on Sunday, less than two months after he was acquitted of federal tax charges, was overcome by his emotions again Monday night in thanking his family for helping him through the most difficult time of his life.
"Oh, boy, this is going to be tough. I'm starting already," he said to his parents, who were in the audience at the victory dinner at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"Your prayers, Mom, it was incredible, especially in those tough times," he said, his voice breaking. "Now we are enjoying and praying for the good times, so thank you so much. I will never forget what you guys taught me.
"And Dad, you're my best friend, you're my hero," the 34-year-old Brazilian said, choking up again through his tears.
"When I saw you guys in the trial, that was the hardest time, but we're here today as a family."
The prize money from Sunday's race was announced at the victory dinner, and Castroneves' share for Team Penske was a record $3,048,005, breaking the former record of $2.99 million to Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon last year. The total purse of $14.3 million was just short of the record $14.4 million last year.
Runner-up Dan Wheldon received $1.26 million, just under the second-place record $1.27 million to Vitor Meira a year ago. Danica Patrick took home $763,305 for third place and Townsend Bell received $445,305 for fourth.
The $3 million first prize, the largest in auto racing history, boosted Castroneves' career winnings in nine races at Indianapolis to a record $8,663,628.
He also thanked his Team Penske crew, teammates Ryan Briscoe and Will Power and car owner Roger Penske.
"Through my tough time, you guys were there. ... Man, I tell you, thank you so much to give my life back. I'll never forget it," he said.
Joking, he also said he knows he won't be able to keep all the winnings.
"Not everything's mine. You guys know what I'm talking about," he said amid laughter from the audience. "It's not mine. But, anyway, it's definitely going to help to pay my attorneys, no question about it."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
