Helio Castroneves ‘Don’t Need No Rockin’ Chair’

With his Indy 500 win, Castroneves proving old guys rule.

By: Jerry Bonkowsko

When 46-year-old Helio Castroneves – the second-oldest driver in the field to start Sunday’ 105^th Running of the Indianapolis 500 – crossed the finish line to put himself into legendary status as the fourth driver to win the Greatest Spectacle in Racing four times, a song from country singer George Jones immediately came to mind.

One of Jones’ biggest hits came in 1992, with a title and lyrics that perfectly described how Castroneves put his name into IndyCar history: “I Don’t Need No Rockin’ Chair,” with these absolutely perfect lyrics to describe Castroneves’ win:

“I don’t need your rockin’ chair,
Your Geritol or your Medicare.
Well I still got Neon in my veins,
This grey hair don’t mean a thing.”

(Although Helio dyes his hair black).

And then check out another part of the lyrics, which proved almost prophetic about Sunday’s outcome nearly 30 years earlier:

“I ain’t ready for the junkyard yet,
‘Cause I still feel like a new Corvette.

It might take a little longer but I’ll get there,
Yeah, I don’t need your rockin’ chair.”

Yes, Castroneves took home a brand new $100,000 Corvette in addition to the million-dollar-plus prize he won for winning the race. Yes, it did take him a little longer to get past eventual runner-up – and youngster – Alex Palou and take the checkered flag (on the second-to-last lap of the race), but in joining Rick Mears, Al Unser and A.J. Foyt as the only drivers to win the legendary 500 four different times, Castroneves struck a huge blow for, and became a hero to, old guys everywhere.

“We won Indianapolis, we did it!” an obviously excited Castroneves said. “I think I’ve still got it!”

When asked about being a hero to older folks everywhere, Castroneves couldn’t agree more.

“It’s not the end of it, it’s the beginning,” he said. “Tom Brady won the Super Bowl (at 43), Phil Mickelson won the PGA championship (last week, at the age of 50). So, the old guys still have it and are still kicking the young guys’ butt. We’re teaching them a lesson. I said before the race If Tom Brady and Phil did it, why can’t I? People put a label on this type of situation and it’s awesome to prove them wrong.”

There was a 12-year gap between Castroneves’ third and fourth Indy 500 wins, the second-longest break behind Juan Pablo Montoya’s 15-year spread between his Indy 500 wins in 2000 and 2015.

“I never stopped dreaming,” Castroneves said. “I wanted to prove to the young kids that you can still win.”

While NBC touted the fact that five of the top eight finishers were youngsters, it ignored something even more important: four of the top 10 were 40 years old or older: Castroneves (46), fifth-place finisher Ed Carpenter (40), ninth-place finisher Juan Pablo Montoya (45) and the 10^th-place finisher and the oldest driver in the field, Tony Kanaan (46).

And add 2019 Indy 500 winner Simon Pagenaud in the group at the relative advanced age of 37.

By earning his second win in as many starts this season, Castroneves – who also was on the winning team in the Rolex 24 Hours sports car race – more than proved that he’s not ready for a rocking chair.

“People put a label on a number,” Castroneves told Autoweek. “They say if a guy is old. In the past, Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt, all these incredible guys, were able to race into their 50s. All of a sudden, they see a young guy and are probably going to spend more time and money on the crashes he’s (involved in while) learning then a guy who has experience and makes things happen.”

Castroneves was complimentary to team owner and IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske, even though Penske probably now looks foolish to some. Castroneves earned each of his first three Indy 500 wins for The Captain, but was released after more than 20 years in the Penske organization both as an IndyCar and IMSA driver at the end of last season in favor of New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin for this season and especially the 500.

While McLaughlin won rookie of the year honors in Sunday’s race, he also finished 20^th. To be fair, there were only two rookies in the field.

While Castroneves could have literally gone into a rocking chair when Penske let him go, he felt he still had some good racing left in him and wound up with Meyer Shank Racing, which threw him and his career a lifeline.

“I just wanted a chance to fight and we did,” Castroneves told Autoweek. “Super honored to be in this group. It was great to be with Penske and now my new friends, I’m having a great opportunity.”

Castroneves not only made history Sunday, he also had the longest post-race celebration – close to 20 minutes — the venerable IMS has ever seen, climbing the fence, hugging members of his team, fellow drivers. Mario Andretti even kissed Helio on the forehead before he took off running again down the frontstretch to share his joy with the fans.

After he had calmed down and was able to soak things in, Castroneves told Autoweek he’s not sure if he’ll try and go for a fifth Indy 500 win next year, which would set him apart from Mears, Foyt and Unser.

“Let’s enjoy this first and then we’ll talk about five in a week later,” Castroneves said with a laugh.

Castroneves is the fourth-oldest driver to win the 500, which was also the fastest edition of the Greatest Spectacle In Racing in history at 2 hours, 37 minutes and 19.3846 seconds.

“He’s writing a huge page of the 500 history here,” Pagenaud said of Castroneves. “Finally, a guy from our generation is going into the four club. That’s very special. He’s a great friend and he just gave me 10 more years in my career to go catch him, so thank you, Helio.”

Source: autoweek.com