As the nation began coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, it needed something to get sports fans cheering and inspired again, especially after the 2020 500 was not only delayed nearly three months, but was also held in front of Z-E-R-O fans due to the pandemic.
Enter our hero, Helio Castroneves, who in his first career start for Meyer Shank Racing, and with a limited maximum crowd of 135,000 in the stands, gave fans what they wanted and needed by becoming the fourth driver to win the Indy 500 four different times, joining A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and the late Al Unser in the 500’s most exclusive club.
After beating runner-up Alex Palou by nearly a half-second, Helio, less than three weeks after turning 45 years old, proved old guys still rule at Indy, climbed the fence, much to the joy of his fans, and then with emotional tears in his eyes, proclaimed this win as being the greatest of his career.
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