Indy 500 veterans still hungry as part-timers and team owners

Ed Carpenter and Helio Castroneves, who will both start the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 from Row 5, agree that the field has gotten tighter over the course of their long careers here, but that they feel ready to take on anyone in the heat of battle.

“It’s really going to be a fight,” said Carpenter, who will make his 23rd Indy start on Sunday, driving his team’s extra ECR-Chevrolet, still seeking his first win despite three times starting from pole. “As this race has progressed over the years, the manufacturers we have with Chevrolet and Honda both doing such a great job, you don't have the attrition you used to have. You can get away with less and less mistakes than when Helio and I started.

“Seems like people back then would drive away with a fuel hose and still come back to win. You can't get away with stuff like that anymore. You have to be nearly perfect to come out on top, which is what makes the challenge that much more rewarding.”

Castroneves, who turned 51 earlier this month, has famously scored four wins in his 25 Indy starts, but remains eager to depart the exclusive club containing A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears and earn win number five. He is a minority owner in the Meyer Shank Racing-Honda team for whom he drives. He agreed with Carpenter that the field is amazingly close in pace.

“Thinking about the level of not only the teams, but the way they prep the car, and the drivers, too, I have to say a big props for Firestone this year,” he remarked. “They really came with good tires. It makes everyone super close. My God, we're looking for a small gap on the speed. I bet everyone is feeling the car is pretty darn good, as well, in race running.

“At the end of the day, it’s still a long race, still a lot can be done, a lot of mistakes can happen. That's what we need to be aware of.”

Both veterans dismissed any speculation over their continued motivation.

“I think both of us feel really, really strong,” said Carpenter. “We're both active in our teams. Even though we don't get behind the wheel as much, it doesn't feel foreign. We're both part owners in our team, active and engaged.

“When you step in the car, for me it actually gets a lot easier. I find these two weeks to be kind of like a vacation relative to the other 17 weekends! Still enjoyable. Still feel really confident and good behind the wheel. Yeah, I'm enjoying it.

“I'm sure, Ed, you felt the same way I did when we went out on the open test,” said Castroneves. “The back straightaway, you start running –  ‘Oh, man, this is awesome!’ Because of that, you not only feel but you see the opportunity there is. I see the people in my group, the MSR group, working on the No. 06 car. For the first time we have the same group continuing from last year, which is great. Everybody understands what they need to do. Mistakes we did last year we shouldn't. It gives you more motivation and expectation and desire to go out there.

“Felix [Rosenqvist, teammate] in qualifying, we know what he has. We put it in our car so we make sure we also have the same. All of these details just keep you motivating to go out there, come out swinging, trying to make sure you get the hole-in-one.”