IndyCar Series: Rexall Edmonton Indy

Topics:  Rexall Edmonton Indy

Helio Castroneves
July 26, 2008

EDMONTON, ALBERTA

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with our second-place finisher, Helio Castroneves. Helio's sixth second-place finish of the year. Helio, when you got out of the car, the radio interview, all you could do was laugh.
HELIO CASTRONEVES: That's right. Not much I can say. We tried everything. Definitely we showed that we had a fast car. I mean, the car was awesome. I was having so much fun driving out there. Definitely this track seems to be my style.
Again, it was really, really tough, physical. But, you know, since the beginning we try to do a little bit different because, I mean, we try not to be conservative. We try to go, pull away, see what happen. I mean, for us now, there is not much to lose. We got to win, trying to catch a lot of points between me and Scott.
But unfortunately leaving the pits out there, you know, it was really crowded, really tough for me to get out. Obviously he was able to beat me on that position. So I was just pushing as hard as I could, trying to pass him.
But when you're behind a guy, it's so difficult. Your front tires really start going away. Obviously, Cindric is telling me to save fuel and save fuel. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to let him go. I didn't want to -- I was trying to pass, but at the same time he was telling me to save fuel.
It was very difficult for me to do everything I wanted. And then they told me, Okay, it's going to be a time race. It's just a shame because we definitely had a fast car.
But, hey, nothing you can do about it. Move on. Second place definitely proves that we're still there.
THE MODERATOR: We'll open it up to questions for Helio.

Q. Are you starting to think you're the most famous second-place guy in sport?
HELIO CASTRONEVES: I spoke with my good friend, Mr. De Ferran. He said he finished probably eight times second place. So I have two more races to beat him or to match him. And he also finished second in the championship. I think it was 1998 or something like that.
You know, you can't make those things bother you. I mean, we trying. Certainly we trying. If it would be like lack of it, oh, my God, we don't have a fast car, throwing the dice out there. But this race we said, Let's go for it. Let's not be conservative or think like that. And we did.
It was just unfortunately so difficult to get out of the pits, and especially for me to go around, it makes it a little bit hard. But, you know, they're saving fuel. They don't have much to lose. Just only follow whatever I'm gonna do.
That yellow didn't happen. Obviously, would have been in fantastic shape. I probably would have won six races or something like that. All we got so far is second.

Q. You mentioned how much fun you're having out there on the track.
HELIO CASTRONEVES: Oh, absolutely. That was awesome. I mean, I think it was everything. The car was good. The track was fun. I was going for it. There was no this BS of saving fuel until the end actually. I was conservative in the beginning. When I was saving fuel, there is types of saving fuel. One, I was saving (indiscernible). But the car was so quick, even with that, I was opening up a huge gap. And obviously, I mean, there was other ways that you like lift a little bit, short shift, things like that. It helps.
But I was just going. I was just having so much fun. The car was so good that for the first time they let me, like, keep going. The track was great. It suits me really good. I'm happy. I can't wait to come back here for next year.

Q. Your thoughts on Paul Tracy finishing in fourth place?
HELIO CASTRONEVES: Wow, I just realized. I didn't know. He did an incredible job to finish fourth. I don't know if it was a strategy. I don't know how fast he was. But certainly it's a good result.
Paul, I mean, he's a talented driver. We all know that. And, I mean, hopefully he'll be able to find a ride because definitely he'll be entertaining here in the series doing everything. You know, he's definitely a very talented driver, a very tough driver. It would be great to have him in our series full-time.

Q. Can you tell us what happened on lap 79? Looked like you lost your brakes, what impact that had on the result.
HELIO CASTRONEVES: It was very weird. Actually my war was very consistent the whole time. I'm not sure if I was a little closer or that's the wind or something. Definitely when you're behind someone, your front tires is degrade a little bit more. You basically lose a little bit of downforce.
The car simply just took off. It was very weird. I was not prepared for that. I didn't brake deeper than before. I was doing exactly the same thing, and it just lock.
I was very fortunate to not go straight. It was really weird. To be honest, it was really, really weird. And after that, I just (indiscernible) my tires, and obviously he open up a huge lead. If I would have try something, it would just be like madness. He drove a very good race. I was pushing as hard as I could.
But, like I said, when you're in front, you have clean air, you're in good shape. It's the best position to be in. Trust me, if I would be in front all the time, it would be good. But it's his time. He did good. But it ain't over yet. Still four more races.
THE MODERATOR: Helio, we appreciate your time. Thank you very much.
HELIO CASTRONEVES: Thank you.