Castroneves Wins 93rd Indy 500

Just a month after being acquitted by a jury on six counts of tax evasion, Helio Castroneves became only the ninth driver in history to win a third Indianapolis 500. The victory represented car owner Roger Penske's 15th Indy 500 win.

Castroneves, who started from the pole, led the first 7 laps and then reclaimed the lead for the final time from Scott Dixon on lap 142. He held off second-place finisher Dan Wheldon and third-place Danica Patrick on a lap 183 restart. Townsend Bell and Will Power rounded out the top five.

Driver Vitor Meira was injured in a lap 174 crash with Raphael Matos in turn 1. Meira and Matos made contact entering the turn and Meira hit the wall head-on and his car flipped on its side. He was extricated from the car and taken to the infield care center. Earlier in the race, Meira suffered a significant pit fire during refueling.

Only three drivers -- A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Rick Mears -- have won the Indy 500 four times. Castroneves, 34, will likely have the opportunity to add his name to that list in the coming years and perhaps even become the first five-time winner of the race.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary in 2009, opening for its first race in 1909.