Castroneves seals emotional Indy hat-trick

By Steve Keating

INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - Pole-sitter Helio Castroneves captured his third Indy 500 on Sunday to give team owner Roger Penske a record 15th trip to Victory Lane.

The win capped a stunning return to the famed Brickyard by the charismatic Brazilian, who was driving in just his third race since being cleared of tax evasion charges which could have landed him a lengthy prison sentence.

A back-to-back winner in 2001 and 2002, Castroneves became just sixth driver to claim a hat-trick of 500 wins.

Retaking the lead on lap 142 from defending champion Scott Dixon, Castroneves pulled away from the field for an unchallenged victory and punched the air with his right fist as he shot across the finish line.

Overcome by emotion, Castroneves climbed out of the car and broke down in tears as the massive crowd of 300,000 stood and cheered, initially unable to drink from the winner's traditional quart of milk in Victory Lane.

"It's incredible, I think my tears speak for everything," Castroneves sobbed to reporters. "I have to thank Roger...everybody because they gave me my life back.

"You guys (race fans) don't understand, you guys kept me strong. I'm honoured to have fans like you.

"What a day, this place is magical. Let's celebrate Indy."