I’ve been writing IndyCar star racer Helio Castroneves’ story for almost two decades. We first met when he was a newbie at Team Penske, already making a name for himself, having won two Indianapolis 500 races, in 2001 and 2002. After snagging his third, in 2009, the inevitable question arose: Could Castroneves win a fourth? After all, he was only in his mid-30s at the time. The question dogged him for 12 years. He finished second at Indy no less than three times.

Last Sunday, Castroneves finally got the monkey off of his back. By winning the Indy 500 in an emotionally close finish over a man around half of his age - Alex Palou - he stamped his name firmly in the Indy 500 history books. As a four-time champion now, he joins the elite ranks of Rick Mears, Al Unser, Sr., and A. J. Foyt, all of whom were at Sunday’s race.

We caught up with Castroneves by phone earlier this week. His voice was hoarse, clearly from giving nonstop interviews. His usual enthusiasm was also partly tempered by the fact that his mother has COVID-19, although he says she is on the path to recovery.  Following are edited excerpts from a longer conversation.

Jim Clash: First, congratulations, Helio! Maybe this is a cliché question, but how did you feel when you crossed the yard of bricks under the checkered flag Sunday?

Helio Castroneves: I remember saying, “Would you believe that, would you believe that?” I don’t know why I said it, but those are the first words [laughs] - not into the radio, just to me. Then I immediately put up the No. 4 sign with my fingers in the windscreen for fans, to say, “We did it, we did it!” Then there was all of this screaming and congratulations. I heard Mike’s [Shank] voice, saying, “Well done.” I screamed back, “Make sure you bring the pink powder for the milk.” We wanted it for our nation and to match the pink car and team uniform. Those are the things that happened. I also had a hard time getting out of the car because of the new system. I was stuck - it was a mess [laughs].

Clash: When you came up on slower traffic at the end of the race, you got a pretty big tow from Ryan Hunter-Reay. If you didn’t have that, do you think Alex Palou could have re-passed you on the last lap?

Castroneves: That’s the reason I made the move to pass him early. I knew that Palou was fast, and I was waiting for the last lap to make a move. But I didn’t have to because, when I saw that traffic, it was my excuse to go for it earlier. And I went for it.  But I kept thinking, “Ryan, just keep it going, don’t slow down [laughs].” 

Clash: There was a short exchange between you and your ex-boss Roger Penske on pit lane after the race. What was said?

Castroneves: Roger was in business mode. He said, “Great job, great job, now go talk to the governor.” But I spent 17 minutes and 50 seconds on the phone with him Tuesday. During the whole time I was with Team Penske, I never passed eight minutes with him. It was awesome. We were just talking about racing, like we always did. He was really happy. 

I told him a story that people may not know. Saturday, before the race, my right rear tire guy was hurt, maybe not able to do his job. So we had a situation. Do we change guys? But, if we do, the new person would have no practice, nothing. It was out of my hands. When we finished the race, I was like, “Who did you get to change the rear wheel? Good job.” It was the guy who was hurt! I saw him later, at the banquet, and his foot was so swollen. I don’t know how he could put his shoe on. I’ve never seen that in any injury. There was no ankle at all. But he didn’t flinch. I told him that he was my man from now on because he stepped up and made the commitment.

Clash: The great Rick Mears was your spotter and partner in crime at Penske for almost two decades. Have you had a chance to talk with him since the race?

Helio Castroneves:  No, man, I can’t believe it. I have had no time. I want to call him, and see what he wants to tell me. I’d love to talk to him. 

Clash: You once told me that more people recognize you from winning, “Dancing With The Stars,’’ than for your previous three Indy 500 wins. Now that you’re a member of the four-timer’s club, do you think that will change?

Castroneves: I think so. I don’t know the exact numbers of viewership Sunday, but I understand they were pretty good. I got a lot of messages from all over the world, too, especially Brazil, saying what a great race, and how cool it was. Plus, “Dancing” was a while ago. But it doesn’t matter, Jim, if they know me from dancing or racing, it’s all good.

Clash: Did you realize that Mario Andretti kissed you as you were walking up pit lane during your impromptu celebration after the race?

Castroneves: It was a great honor. Later, he called me. Having the ‘American Racer of the Gods’ giving you the blessing, it’s the most respectful way you can reaffirm that you are doing something right. 

Clash: You’re only 46. Can you get a fifth one?

Castroneves: Yes, of course. If Mike gives me the same equipment as I had this year, oh boy, get ready, because we’re going to rock out Indianapolis again. 

Clash: How about a sixth?

Castroneves: Hey, the sky’s the limit, my friend. Look, Mario ran until he was 53 or 54. So many of the drivers are going that route now. I don’t listen to the noise. I just do my job. And I do it because I love it.

Clash: Many in the media played up your smaller Meyer Shank Racing team versus, say, Team Penske or Chip Ganassi Racing, as a David-versus-Goliath situation.

Castroneves: I said it many times when I signed with Mike. Ours is a young, incredible team with a lot of potential. You don’t need to be a big corporate team, and we’re proving that. I hope I continue with them to prove it. 

Clash: Did you hear anything from Tom Brady after the race?

Castroneves: I haven’t heard from Tom, but that would be cool, actually. Before this Indy 500, I wanted to sit down with him to see how he did it, going from a big powerhouse team to a lesser-known one [and winning the Super Bowl]? If I had lunch with him now, I would ask, “So how long do you want to keep doing it [laughs], because it’s awesome?” They put labels on older people. Look at the tennis players. People say, “Oh, you cannot go over 30,” yet they keep going. It’s because they train smart. You have to understand that you’re not like a 20-year-old anymore – you need time to recover.

Clash: The flip side of that is you have more wisdom now, right?

Castroneves: Yes, because you’ve been through similar situations before. I had been through that same situation three times. I finished in second three times in this race. Finally, Sunday, I was able to get it right. Hey, but I’m still learning.

Clash: Back in 2002, in that controversial Indy 500 win over Paul Tracy, did you guys ever talk about it? Are you friends?

Castroneves: Yes, we are friends. Paul knows what happened. We discussed it. I said, “I would have done what you did. I would have kept it going. They have to figure it out. If you get it, great.” Thank God we’ve got the good technology to see what happened. But I really like PT. He does a great job broadcasting.