Third on the podium of the 2007 edition of the Indy 500 was Helio Castroneves' result on a rain-drenched Sunday. Here is the transcript of the press conference given after the event.

MODERATOR: It is another chapter for a guy who has an unbelievable record here at Indianapolis, a couple of wins, a second, a third. He looks a little bit down on this one, but Helio Castroneves is another step toward a Hall of Fame-type of career. Tell us about your day and your emotions right now.

HELIO CASTRONEVES: Well, obviously you want to finish, you know, you want to finish in the green. But, again, we -- for everything that happened today, I have to say that third is a fantastic result. No question, I never lost faith in my team. They never lost the faith on me, and we always believe it. It's just a shame that especially toward the end after we made some change, I knew what we could have done and that showed when we made some incredible restarts, and that was awesome.

But, again, start from the beginning. We had a little trouble with the battery; we didn't go out on the parade lap. Finally get the car fired on and went back. Then Tony and I, it seemed to be handling very, very good up front, we were actually taking it easy. I was having a good time until pit stops where we had a little trouble with the hose, I think. One of the safety pins broke, and then we don't know why it wasn't fueling. Then we have to kind of -- but we kept our composure. It was incredible the way the team handled those circumstances in the critical situations. They were really able to calm down, which actually make me feeling very comfortable. As soon as we went out last, the beginning of our quest, we came and passed some people. Unfortunately, we had to wait and be patient. We were really, really good and I was really taking it easy because back there it was a totally different game. It was very hard. Then one incident in the pits, I almost, Sam and I touched, I was able to hold it.

And the end of the day, we were able to restart in sixth place. The change that we made before the rain, it wasn't good, the car was pushing quite a bit. Then we made another adjustment in the pit stop, and then again the car was kind of the opposite, loose. And then the last one the car was fantastic. I mean, I was able to come from sixth, fifth, third, and I'm telling you, I was going for it. But I have to say that Indianapolis, we had very good points, collect good points. Dario took a gamble. I know how it feels. Definitely, it's fantastic. I'm sure he doesn't care if it rain or doesn't rain, he will be happy with the result and the paycheck.

So right now, we really happy for everything that happened. So let's continue and move on.

MODERATOR: We saw you at the end in high def, the television upstairs with spectacular moves, you had us all standing up. You know the question that's going to come, did you have something for him?

CASTRONEVES: Absolutely. I felt I had a lot, especially toward the end, especially with new tires. Basically he would have like some laps on the tires, I don't think he would be able to finish with the fuel. I mean, there were so many things that were going toward not that direction. But like I said, they gambled very good; they did a hell of a job like making sure that the rain would come and, I tell you, they deserve it. It wasn't meant to be for us.

MODERATOR: Again, other questions for Helio. We'll be working both sides of the room again.

Q: Hi, Helio. Scott had mentioned how aggressive it got out there at times today and there was kind of a lack of a flow because there were sort of two groups of cars that were leapfrogging each other in and out of the pits. Of course, you had the delay with the rain and a lot of tension built up, and you knew another rain shield was coming. I'm kind of curious whether you feel that so much tension had built up that the level of risk just got to be maybe borderline high on that last what, 30-some laps.

CASTRONEVES: Well, that's the Indianapolis 500. You bet it all, you try everything and that's what happened when you have such a competitive field. Today we have at least 10 cars able to win this race, and it is such a long race that you have to use your head. I have to say my team did that. We were very smart, and timing and were doing exactly what we need to do. And they did, too, I guess, finished second. No question it's a good position. If he doesn't want it, I'll take it. (Laughter)

Q: You said you were happy with your performance. Is your car owner happy with the way the day went?

CASTRONEVES: Say it again? (Laughter) That was too strong for me. Oh, Penske. Well, he is. Obviously you want to finish in the top. We bet all our chips and money that we knew where we had good conditions to be in the end, but he came to me and said that's what happened, good job, both cars did a fantastic job, finished third and fourth we think in the championship now. So let's move on and be happy.

Q: Did you consider, Helio, for your last pit stop short fill or did you really expect the rain when it did happen the last time?

CASTRONEVES: I did not. Especially our guys out there, we had like someone asking -- I mean focus on the weather. We thought we were going to finish with no problem, with dry weather. So that's why we were focusing our scenario to the dry conditions. But even that, Cindric, the guy who calls my race, he's like, man, you're going to have to go like hell because it's going to rain. I said, 'OK, it's naturally time to go.' We definitely made some change in the pit stop. And actually I have to say that was good because if I would have stay out, I don't think I would have enough for those guys. But after we made some change, definitely, definitely we were ready.

So it was awesome. It's just a shame that we couldn't -- one more restart. (Laughter)

Q: Helio, you've been a long-time competitor with Dario. Here is a guy that lately has kind of flown under the radar screen a little bit. What does it feel like as a competitor to see a guy like that win a race like this?

CASTRONEVES: That's a good question, Bruce. This is Indianapolis, just to move that not a young guy, not a fast guy but the smart guy, you know, and you have to position yourself in the right place and the right time. When he was passing by me, I noticed that he kept it out. I'm like that's a very interesting move. But, again, they have five cars out there. And I guess, you know, they agree let's take a chance and he felt that it would be the right choice. So it's good, it's great that, you know, like you said, he's not kind of a spotlight, but if you notice he's right there in the championship and being consistent all the time. So my only thing is congrats to him. I know how he feels and I just want to welcome him to the club.

Q: One of those last couple restarts it looked like maybe the two Penske cars or one of the Penske cars and another got together. Was that the case and what happened if that was?

CASTRONEVES: Well, there were two restarts, and one of the restart I was able to pass three, four cars and two cars at least went in front of me. But I was a little disappointed but, again, on another restart, it was a very, very close call between Sam and I. I was kind of -- I closed my eyes and said that's where you're going to hopefully fit. If it didn't fit, you must quit. (Laughter)

But it fit. So we were able to -- went through the very narrow area, and wow, it was a close call. That's what I'm saying, my car was all of a sudden, it was really pushing. Both our cars are very close. Sam and I were very close in terms of setups. That's why we finished third and fourth. So it wasn't like who had a better opportunity.

Q: You were you on the inside?

CASTRONEVES: I was on the inside.

Q: So, Helio, what did you do during the rain delay?

CASTRONEVES: I ate a little bit, you know. It's funny, my brother-in-law said ‘I didn't know 500 miles you have like a break.' (Laughter)

It was kind of funny. So I ate a little bit. I kind of rest, tried to not stay, you know, too much like jumping around, which is easy for me to do. And decide just to keep like we're going to go back there and still need to finish the job. I have to say it was kind of tough because you keep looking at TV and the track seems like it takes forever to dry.

Q: Where did you go?

CASTRONEVES: I stay in the garage. I just stayed in the garage and did everything there. Just relax, and as soon as they said ready, I'm ready and always ready.

Q: Helio, I wonder if you could elaborate on something for me real quickly. I know you had the problem getting the fuel into the car and then you came back. I thought you came back in the pits the first time to check to see if you got the fuel into the car. Two laps later you came back again. Can you elaborate on that?

CASTRONEVES: Yeah, just making sure that everything was under control, trying to -- tried a new hose and basically it was working so we didn't want to have another problem again. So it was just a check. Now we're in the back of the field so we're not going to lose anything. That was a clever way to do it.

MODERATOR: Helio, I think we're going to let you go after another great performance at Indianapolis. Congratulations.

CASTRONEVES: Thank you. I appreciate it. (Applause)

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