Castroneves, Penske Continue Dominance Of Pit Stop Challenge
May 28, 2010 | By Todd Glenn
Team Penske and Helio Castroneves extended their reign over the IZOD Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge, winning the competition for the second consecutive year Friday, May 28 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Penske team earned a record 12th victory in the annual contest, and Penske has won the competition in the last five years it has been contested. Castroneves won the event as a driver for the fifth time, an event record. He was tied with Danny Sullivan atop the list entering this event.
Castroneves and Team Penske completed a simulated pit stop in 8.001 seconds in the final to beat Hideki Mutoh and Newman/Haas Racing, which made a stop of 9.548 seconds.
Team Penske and Castroneves earned $50,000. Mutoh and Newman/Haas earned $15,000.
"(The pit crew does) an incredible job,” Castroneves said. “I do believe all of their work paid off today - not only today - but every race they go out there. I overshoot (the pits), I make mistakes, but they never see it that way. They see it as good practice to be ready for anything. Today, it was just an incredible job.”
Team Penske and Castroneves defeated Danica Patrick and Andretti Autosport in the semifinals. Mutoh edged Justin Wilson and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing to reach the final round.
Penske President Tim Cindric praised the winning crew – led by chief mechanic Sean Hanrahan – for the effort it provides to the organization year-round.
“To know that I am sitting amongst these guys is a big deal,” said Cindric. “They come here and have an opportunity to win a fourth (race) with (Helio), and we’ve been here together for 10 years. I think it’s awesome.”
Hanrahan became chief mechanic of Castroneves’ car before this IZOD IndyCar Series season. Castroneves will try to earn his record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 victory Sunday from the pole in the No. 3 Team Penske car.
“When I found out I was going to be crew chief on the 3 car, I think my jaw hit the ground,” Hanrahan said. “I didn’t realize all that was going to be happening at the time. When the opportunity came, I knew that I had to put in 110 percent every day, and all of these guys behind me are doing the very same thing. We work real hard, and we’re trying to make sure that all of our ‘I’s’ are dotted and our ‘T’s’ are crossed. I can’t thank Tim, Helio or the rest of the guys enough for giving me this opportunity.”
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