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
Coolin' in Cali Zuma and Ma make the park scene in Beverly Hills with some low-key family thrills
More PhotosMost Commented
- An "Always Drunk" Rob Denies Dating Kristen? (1047)
- Would Kristen Work With Rob Outside of Twilight? (832)
- "Exhausted" Rob and Kristen (Kinda) Get Personal (764)
- Robsten Begin Publicity Tour Together—Kinda (665)
- Did Rob Come Across Badly in Vanity Fair? (598)
- Is the Pressure Getting to Robsten? (571)
- "Puppy Dog" Rob and Kristen Play the Newlywed Game (510)
- Bitch-Back! Is Reese Using Jake? (451)
- Blab Blab Blab: Robsten Ain't Outta Thin Air (354)
- Bitch-Back! There's a New Vamp in Town (333)
Top 10 Stories
- Ho-Ho-Hum Weekend for Jim Carrey; Ho-Ho-Worse for Cameron Diaz
- Gossip Girl Threesome Episode a Public Service!
- Susan Boyle Set to Serenade Dancing With the Stars
- Week in Review: Rob, Kristen & Taylor Go Global; Rihanna, Kate Gosselin & Stripper Talk It Out
- Rihanna: I Told Myself I'd Never Date Anyone Like My Father
- New Moon Shockers: R.Pattz Isn't Romantic + More!
- Chris Brown: I Accept Accountability...But Some Things Are Just Private
- Joe Jackson Demands a Piece of Michael
- Bask in Tori Amos' Midwinter Graces Right Here!
- Taylor Swift Owes Kanye West a Thank-You!
Fashion Police
The Divalicious OneBeyoncé pulls out all the stops in this fantastic, over-the-top, metallic Versace confection
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
10 Comments
-
Show the next 1 - 0 of 10 comments
Now loading...