INDIANAPOLIS — The primary three days of follow have been extra methodical than messy, with clear monitor time and few interruptions at . Nonetheless, discovered a option to stand out.
The four-time Indy 500 champion posted the second-fastest velocity of the day at 226.977 mph, one other early signal that the 51-year-old nonetheless has the tempo — and the starvation — as he chases historical past in his newest return to the Brickyard.
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Castroneves is again at IMS for his pursuit in a record-setting fifth Indy 500 victory. He’s already tied with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears for essentially the most wins in race historical past, having captured the Borg-Warner Trophy in 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2021. Castroneves additionally may turn into the oldest winner, surpassing Unser’s mark from 1987.
And whereas the outcomes sheet could recommend consolation, Castroneves admitted he nonetheless has loads to be taught concerning the new format and the trendy problem of qualifying up entrance.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian driver Helio Castroneves (06) places on protecting gear in pit lane Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian driver Helio Castroneves (06) places on protecting gear in pit lane Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Adriano Candido, a crew member with Andretti International driver Will Energy (26), indicators autographs Thursday, Might 14, 2026, for kids from Smoky Row Elementary throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “That is insane, fairly superior to be sincere,” Candido stated. “I used to be not anticipating any of this, to see all of the love from the youngsters.”
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
The Borg-Warner Trophy sits in pit lane Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Rinus Veekay (76) waves at followers Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
A tire sits prepared to be used in pit lane Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Ed Carpenter (33) catches a journey by way of pit lane Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Christian Rasmussen (21) finds a quiet second alone on the wall in pit lane Thursday, Might 14, 2026, forward of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Andretti International driver Marcus Ericsson (28) indicators autographs for Smoky Row Elementary college students Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Folks watch as vehicles are pulled by way of Gasoline Alley on Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Alexander Rossi (20) indicators an autograph for a Smoky Row Elementary pupil Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Arrow McLaren driver Nolan Siegel (6) waits to hit the monitor Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kyffin Simpson (8) walks atop the wall in pit lane Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Mick Schumacher (47) sits down into his automobile Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Louis Foster (45) watches monitor motion Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward (5) talks with a crew member Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
A.J. Foyt Enterprises driver Santino Ferrucci (14) waves at followers Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Arrow McLaren driver Nolan Siegel (6) walks by way of Gasoline Alley with a crew member Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian driver Helio Castroneves (06) sits down into his automobile Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Mick Schumacher (47) fits up Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Dale Coyne Racing driver Dennis Hauger (19) walks pit lane Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Drivers take the oval on the third day of follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indy 500
Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward (5) appears to be like over his automobile Thursday, Might 14, 2026, throughout follow for the one hundred and tenth operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“I’m nonetheless attempting to grasp this qualifying to be sincere,” Castroneves stated.
Castroneves hasn’t certified inside the highest 15 since his 2021 win, and he acknowledged that the evolving design of IndyCar’s superspeedway package deal has made it more and more tough to carve by way of visitors when beginning deep within the subject.
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“No query, the best way they design the vehicles are altering,” he stated. “It’s turning into slightly bit tougher whenever you’re beginning within the again.”
That’s why the main target for Castroneves and Meyer Shank Racing this month is obvious: put themselves in place early.
“That’s the primary focus for us,” he stated. “Lock within the prime 15.”
Whereas the veteran’s final objective stays a fifth trophy, Castroneves stated it’s the sensation of driving at IMS that continues to drag him again yr after yr.
“You already know, what motivates me is once I did my first lap on the open check, I went out (on the) again straight and I used to be like, ‘Oh, I really like this. That is the perfect feeling on this planet,’” he stated.
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Even with some uncertainty coming into the month, Castroneves stated the automobile felt higher than anticipated as soon as he climbed again in.
“I used to be fearful about, , I’m gonna be feeling slightly uncomfortable,” he stated. “It was like a glove.”
That consolation — together with the idea in his group — is why Castroneves says he nonetheless sees this run as greater than only a one-off alternative.
“That retains me coming again, and since the chance we’ve it’s so distinctive, and so unimaginable I really feel that we are able to’t simply cross it alone,” he stated. “We gotta hold it going.”
So long as the group stays sturdy round him, Castroneves stated, the pursuit of historical past remains to be very a lot alive.
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“I find it irresistible,” he stated. “I actually actually find it irresistible.”
And if all the pieces comes collectively on the ultimate Sunday of Might, Castroneves is aware of precisely what the reward would imply — not simply to IndyCar historical past, however to his personal legacy.
“I need to hold pushing as laborious as I can and hopefully we’re gonna go to the Guinness e-book,” he stated.
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