2009 Indy 500 Review

Castroneves and Penske Win 93rd Indianapolis Classic

May 24, 2009

The Indy 500 was packed with incidents, accidents and some great racing. Helio Castroneves scored Roger Penske's 15th victory at the Brickyard.

Helio Castroneves completed a fairytale comeback by winning the Indianapolis 500 for the third time. A few weeks ago the Brazilian had a possible jail sentence looming over allegations of tax fraud. After being cleared of the charges Castroneves returned to score one of the most emotional victories of his career after qualifying on pole.

2009 Indy 500 Report

Castroneves did not manage to keep his lead for long, being passed almost immediately by Dario Franchitti. Meanwhile, Marco Andretti and impressive rookie Mario Moraes were involved in a controversial collision on lap one. Moraes was out on the spot, while Andretti eventually rejoined many laps down. Ryan Hunter-Reay was the next driver to fall victim after straying off line.

Graham Rahal’s race ended after hitting the wall on the exit of turn four, a carbon copy of the accident he suffered last year. Tony Kanaan was involved in a frightening crash when something broke on his car on the back stretch. After clouting the outer wall Kanaan’s car continued at unabated speed before ploughing headlong into the outside of turn three. Fortunately the popular Brazilian emerged shaken but otherwise unhurt.

It quickly became clear that Ganassi team-mates Franchitti and Dixon had very quick cars. A decisive moment occurred during a caution period at around two thirds distance when both drivers pitted. A problem with Franchitti’s fuel hose delayed the Scotsman and seriously compromised his afternoon. At the same round of stops Vitor Meira found himself in a blazing car after a fuel spillage. Remarkably, he was able to rejoin the race.

At the re-start, with 60 laps to go, Castroneves draughted past Dixon to take the lead into turn one. Will Power made steady progress during the early stages of the race and, with fewer than 50 laps to go, found himself in second position behind Castroneves.

When Justin Wilson spun into the turn one wall with 40 laps to go it allowed Franchitti the opportunity to gain some ground back. Everyone pitted but a stuck wheel cost Power several places and perhaps his chance of victory. Dixon also dropped places, leaving Castroneves leading from his Penske team-mate Briscoe. They were followed by previous winner Dan Wheldon in third and Patrick in fourth.

Raphael Matos found himself in a strong position with 30 laps to go, having made a splash and dash stop for fuel on the last lap before a re-start. The rookie’s dream of victory at Indy evaporated shortly after when he became tangled up with Meira in a violent accident. A caution period followed while the drivers were extricated from the wreckage of their machines, happily without serious injuries.

At the final re-start Castroneves held his lead and never looked in danger of losing it. Wheldon rounded off a good day with second place, while Patrick recorded a career-best Indy finish of third.

2009 Indy 500 Result

Did not finish: Vito Meira, Raphael Matos, Justin Wilson, E.J. Viso, Nelson Philippe, Oriol Servia, Tony Kanaan, Robert Doornbos, Davey Hamilton, Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Mario Moraes

The next race on the schedule takes place on May 31st at the Milwaukee Mile. Following the Indy 500 result Franchitti leads the standings, but only by five points from Castroneves.

The copyright of the article 2009 Indy 500 Review in Indy Racing is owned by Kevin Guthrie. Permission to republish 2009 Indy 500 Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.