5.11.09 Bell Driver Helio Castroneves Claims 2009 Indianapolis 500 Pole

5.11.09 Bell Driver Helio Castroneves Claims 2009 Indianapolis 500 Pole

After facing an offseason of adversity, 2 time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves returned to Indianapolis to claim the 2009 pole with a four lap average speed of 224.8 miles per hour.

Castroneves withdrew his earlier 3rd place qualifying effort and waited for the 15 MPH wind to calm down to attempt a 2nd qualifying effort securing the 3rd Indy 500 pole of his career taking the top spot from teammate Ryan Briscoe.

"This place is magic," said Castroneves, a two-time Indy winner. "It's just amazing. ... We just had to keep working through the weather, working through the day. Ryan and I were really strong. When he (Briscoe) went out there at the end, I was thinking I didn't really want to have to go out [again]."

Less than a month after being acquitted of tax evasion charges, Castroneves returned to his first love – racing. "Many times during the trial I was thinking about it," he said. "I knew what I loved [is] racing, but I realized even more that's my life. And just to be here is a dream come true and I appreciate that every day when I wake up in the morning. I enjoy life. Now I enjoy it even more. But I have to say that what I learned from the trial, probably my mind is much stronger and my skin is a little bit thicker now."

Helio Castronves wears the Bell T6 Interceptor. Other Bell drivers qualifying for the 2009 Indianapolis 500 include 2006 Rookie of the Year Marco Andretti (8th), 2005 Rookie of the Year Danica Patrick (10th), Alex Lloyd (11th) and 2005 Indy 500 Champion Dan Wheldon (18th).