Castroneves Caps Off Good Week With Indy 500 Win
AP Photo/Michael Conroy
Hélio Castroneves took his good fortune and drove with it.
Two days after federal prosecutors dismissed the remainder of their tax-evasion case against him, the 34-year-old Brazilian racecar driver and Dancing With the Stars champ won his third Indianapolis 500.
"I want to climb the fence!" Castroneves, whose signature celebratory move has earned him the nickname "Spiderman," said as he pulled into Victory Lane.
And then he did, jumping along with his pit crew onto the fence along the main grandstand.
"This is incredible...the best month of May ever," said the grateful champ, who had started Sunday's 200-lap race in the choice pole position. "Thanks for giving my life back," he told Team Penske owner Robert Penske.
Castroneves was acquitted of income-tax evasion last month, with a jury deadlocking on five other counts, including conspiracy. On Friday, prosecutors opted to dismiss the five charges.
The boisterous, über-smiley speed demon captured the DWTS disco ball with Julianne Hough in 2007. His previous Indy 500 wins came in 2001 and 2002.
Coming in third was IndyCar spotlight-stealer Danica Patrick, one of only a handful of female drivers on the pro circuit. Ashley Judd's hubby, Dario Franchitti, who won the race in 2007, finished seventh.
The Big Picture
Hamm 'n' Cheese Our fave goofball Jon seems sorta determined to prove he's nothing like Don Draper in real life
More PhotosMost Commented
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (915)
- Costars and Suits Give Robsten Their Blessings! (650)
- Rob and Kristen "Relaxed" Together in NYC (641)
- Blab Blab Blab: Is Twilight Sexist? (553)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Why Won't Sarah Palin Go Away? (442)
- Is Ugly Betty Ending? And Who Gets the Girl? (422)
- Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment—or His? (422)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (422)
- Review: New Moon Is Either Just Fine or Way Mopey, Depending On Who You Are (353)
Top 10 Stories
- Michael Lohan Runs Out of Family Members to Alienate, Starts Leaking Jon Gosselin Tapes
- Housewives Idol: Kim Zolciak vs. Gretchen Rossi?
- It's a Sexy Job, but Adam Lambert's Gotta Do It!
- Donny Discovers Parts He Never Had Before for Dancing With the Stars Finale
- End of a Weird Era: Jon & Kate Plus 8 Signs Off
- Timbaland Denies Dumping Chris Brown
- New Sweet Home for Khloé and Lamar
- Family Wants Second Autopsy for Real Housewife Kandi Burruss' Slain Fiancé
- Sarah Jessica Parker Surrogate's Alleged Invader Found Somewhat Guilty
- No, New Moon Absolutely, Positively Didn't Beat Dark Knight
Fashion Police
Bring On the DramaLeave it to fearless fashionista Rihanna to make the fiercest statement on the AMAs red carpet
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
10 Comments
-
Show the next 1 - 0 of 10 comments
Now loading...