By David Morgan, Associate Editor
INDIANAPOLIS – Helio Castroneves and Ed Carpenter have been fixtures in the Indianapolis 500 for more than two decades and as they return for their 26th and 23rd starts, respectively, in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the lore of Indianapolis Motor Speedway is not lost on either of them.
Now in team ownership roles with Meyer Shank Racing and Ed Carpenter Racing, the two veterans are making their annual appearance back behind the wheel as they take on the Indy 500 once again, both rolling off from Row 5 on Sunday.
Castroneves, who has four Indy 500 wins to his name, most recently in 2021, explained that there is just something special about this facility that has hosted the Memorial Day classic for more than 100 years.
“I’m sure, Ed, you felt the same way we did when we went out on the open test, the back straightaway, you start running, Oh, man, this is awesome,” Castroneves said with a smile about his feelings rolling back into Indianapolis each year for the Month of May.
“…What I like, Indianapolis always gives the opportunity, no? You have like a week before you get into qualifying and the race. It really prepares you quite a lot. Something when I experienced the Daytona 500, it was a little bit different. You went straight to qualifying and no practice, and you learn actually at the race.
“That’s why even for us, it’s one-off. It really helps to analyze, understand and get back. As soon as your muscle memory kicks in, man, it’s just like riding a bicycle.
“As soon as you turn that engine on. Like I said, when we went back in the open test, I was like, this is where I belong, where I feel comfortable, this is what I’ve been doing my entire life.
“Yeah, it was like sitting in a therapy chair. Not that I’ve been to therapy,” Castroneves jokingly added.
For Carpenter, who hails from Indianapolis and still seeks his elusive first win in the Indy 500, echoed Castroneves comments, noting that every time he is back in the cockpit at Indianapolis, it feels like it’s where he belongs.
“The way Helio described the open test, the emotions, it really does feel just like coming back home,” said Carpenter.
“It’s such a privilege to compete here, to still have opportunities to drive such a great car with a great team, to go out and try to accomplish what I’ve been working for my whole career. I still feel fully capable of doing that; otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”
Both drivers added that over the years, the way this race plays out has changed and each year that passes it becomes more and more of a dogfight to see who comes out on top.
“It’s really going to be a fight,” said Carpenter. “As this race has progressed over the years, the manufacturers we have with Chevrolet and Honda both doing such a great job, you don’t have the attrition you used to have, can get away with less and less mistakes when Helio and I started.
“Seems like people back then would drive away with a fuel hose and still come back to win. You can’t get away with stuff like that anymore. You have to be nearly perfect to come out on top, which is what makes the challenge that much more rewarding.”
Castroneves added that with the teams being so close on speed, it really comes down the intangibles to determine which driver will be writing their name into the record book at the end of the day.
“My God, we’re looking for a small gap on the speed. I bet everyone is feeling the car is pretty darn good, as well, in race run and things like that,” Castroneves said.
“In the end of the day, still a long race, still a lot can be done, a lot of mistakes can happen. That’s what we need to be aware of it.”
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