The saga of Helio Castroneves at Indianapolis Motor Speedway soared to an even higher level of drama Sunday.
The 28-year-old Brazilian, who’s a phenomenal 2-for-2 in Indy 500 starts, now will aim for an unprecedented third straight victory on May 25 from the ideal position, the pole.
He earned it hard, on a literally tempestuous day when huge gusts of crosswind sent cars darting wildly at 230 m.p.h.-plus.
Even with buffeting, Castroneves put together a four-lap average speed of 231.725 m.p.h. to trump what his close friend, rival and fellow Brazilian Tony Kanaan had thought might hold for the pole.
Kanaan averaged 231.006 earlier in the day, bettering Californian Robby Gordon’s 230.205.
Gordon, a NASCAR regular, will drive in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 Winston Cup race on May 25.
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The field
Final qualifying May 18; race May 25
(r-rookie)
Row 1
1. H. Castroneves, Dallara-Toyota, 231.725 m.p.h.
2. Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 231.006
3. Robby Gordon, Dallara-Honda, 230.205
Row 2
4. r-Scott Dixon, G Force-Toyota, 230.099
5. r-Dan Wheldon, Dallara-Honda, 229.958
6. Kenny Brack, Dallara-Honda, 229.509
Row 3
7. r-Tora Takagi, G Force-Toyota, 229.358
8. r-Tony Renna, Dallara-Toyota, 228.765
9. Scott Sharp, Dallara-Toyota, 228.755
Row 4
10. Gil de Ferran, G Force-Toyota, 228.633
11. r-Roger Yasukawa, Dallara-Honda, 228.577
12. Tomas Scheckter, G Force-Toyota, 227.769
Row 5
13. Michael Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 227.739
14. Greg Ray, G Force-Honda, 227.288
15. r-Shinji Nakano, Dallara-Honda, 227.222
Row 6
16. Felipe Giaffone, G Force-Toyota, 227.210
17. Al Unser Jr., Dallara-Toyota, 226.285
18. Sam Hornish Jr., Dallara-Chevrolet, 226.225
Row 7
19. r-Buddy Rice, Dallara-Chevrolet, 226.213
20. Jaques Lazier, Dallara-Chevrolet, 225.975
21. Buddy Lazier, Dallara-Chevrolet, 224.910
Row 8
22. Robbie Buhl, Dallara-Chevrolet, 224.369
23. r-A.J. Foyt IV, Dallara-Toyota, 224.177
24. Sarah Fisher, Dallara-Chevrolet, 224.170
