INDIANAPOLIS — Even after spending half their lives competing in the Indianapolis 500, some drivers never lose the passion they have for Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
That passion was on display Thursday when four Indianapolis Motor Speedway icons met the media prior to Sunday’s 110th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
Four-time winner Helio Castroneves and beloved Indiana bridesmaid Ed Carpenter shared the stage in the eighth row press conference, while two-time winner Takuma Sato and 2008 victor Scott Dixon were part of the row seven press gathering.
Castroneves is 51, Carpenter is 45, Sato is 49 and Dixon is 45.
Castroneves is making his 26th Indy 500 start, while Carpenter will start for the 23rd time. Sato makes his 23rd start and Dixon will hear “Back Home Again in Indiana” for the 24th time.
Castroneves is credited with one of the most famous quotes in Indy history after he’d won the race in his first two tries, but came up short in 2003 when he said, “This place chooses the winner.”
“2003 race I fell to Gil de Ferran, my friend. I had flawless speed, driving with one hand, the other on the side like a Sunday drive,” Castroneves recalled. “Yeah, because of a scenario that happens with the back marker, I end up losing that opportunity. I couldn’t pass him back again. I mean, yellow keeps coming, keeps coming. My car was still fast, but not enough time.
“I realized that you can have the fastest equipment, everything… The year before I was a lap down, ended up being a lap down and took a gamble and won the race.
That’s why I came up with that quote. It’s true. To this day, that’s what I feel exactly what it is.”
Sato won the 500 in 2017 and in 2020 when there were no fans because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I mean, again, as a winning 500, no matter the condition, no matter which year, I think it was very special,” Sato said. “Only thing was missing the fans, 350,000. Was just empty, gray, lonely track. That was only downside. We appreciate with Roger Penske and the IndyCar to be able to launch international race. I think we were one of the earliest during the pandemic. In August race, first time in history, no spectators first time in history. We made the buzz.
“That’s why bring me back to feel it again because in 2017, I mean, all the excitement. I missed to actually feel it. I remember, but it was just very crazy. I really needed to sit down and, wow, this is incredible achievement. That sort of stuff I’d like to feel again, yes.”
Dixon has led the most laps in Indianapolis 500 history, but has only won once (2008).
“I guess the simple answer is this place doesn’t owe me anything. I think I’m very fortunate to get one,” Dixon said. “I think it shows I’m pretty crap at leading the right lap. No, it’s been a dream, all of it has. Hopefully it continues for some time. Yeah, it’s one of those stats that it’s a stat. It sounds cool. But trust me, I’d rather have more wins.”
Carpenter has won the Indianapolis 500 pole three times, but his best finish was second in 2018.
“We didn’t really do anything wrong. Will had a little bit better final pit exchange, but it wasn’t like we had anything go wrong or it was a bad out lap. It was just the way it falls,” Carpenter said. “On that day, whichever one of us came out in the lead, the way the weather was, both of us were going to have a hard time getting by the other. Finishing second here is tough.”
Castroneves said the competition at Indianapolis is closer than its ever been.
“Thinking about the level of not only the teams, but the way they prep the car, and the drivers, too,” Castroneves said. “I have to say a big props for Firestone this year. They really came with the good tires, as well. Even they say there’s not much of a difference, it feels like it. It makes everyone super close.
“My God, we’re looking for a small gap on the speed,” he added. “I bet everyone is feeling the car is pretty darn good, as well, in race run and things like that. 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.”
All of the drivers stressed that winning the Indianapolis 500 is very difficult.
“Throughout the years you’ll see the races finish a lot of the time the people fighting for the win are not who you thought,” Dixon said. “Last year was a big shift. There were probably three, four, five really big cars that were really dominant at the start and weren’t there at the end.
“I think what I keep saying is that you can have the perfect race and still it will just give you a shot at trying to win here. It’s extremely tough,” he added. “There are so many things out of your control. You just got to take it as it comes, man. You got to be on your toes and quick for change.”
