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.
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