Castroneves, Boles Talk Horsepower during Town Hall at Churchill Downs

One has 1 horsepower. The other has about 700.

But both receive worldwide acclaim after reaching the ultimate glory of winning on their respective biggest stage, which happen to be just 125 miles apart.

The common bonds between the 3-year-old thoroughbred horses and jockeys of the Kentucky Derby and the open-wheel race cars and drivers of the Indianapolis 500 were shared and celebrated during a Town Hall meeting for fans of both events Monday, March 6 at the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles talked about the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on Sunday, May 28 at IMS and answered questions from fans on hand.

View Photo Gallery of Helio's Visit

The Town Hall was the marquee event of a variety of promotions uniting two of the most iconic global sporting events that bookend the month of May. The 143rd Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 6 at Churchill Downs, while the 101st Indianapolis 500 will run Sunday, May 28 at IMS.

“Incredible,” Castroneves said. “One hundred and 43 years of history. The only place I knew that was that old was Indianapolis (IMS). I’m really pleased and honored to be here today and to learn about the other kind of horsepower.”

Activities started Sunday, March 5 when a Verizon IndyCar Series race car with 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 livery sat on display in front of the Kentucky Derby Museum entrance through Monday. Inside the museum Monday, the Borg-Warner Trophy was placed alongside the solid gold trophy presented annually to the Kentucky Derby winner.

Castroneves and Boles received a tour of the Museum on Monday, including a 360-degree film highlighting the rich history and tradition of the “Run for the Roses.” Castroneves also met the Museum’s resident thoroughbred horse, Populist Politics.

During the Town Hall, Castroneves and Boles presented a commemorative milk bottle to Kentucky Derby Museum President Patrick Armstrong as part of the campaign to deliver 101 Indianapolis 500 milk bottles, one per day, through Race Day for the 101st edition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Like all jockeys and trainers aim to win at Churchill Downs in May, Castroneves also is focused on a record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 victory on Memorial Day weekend at IMS.

“Our goal is always looking at Indianapolis,” Castroneves said. “Our eyes starting to look at it as the race finished last year. Team Penske has been working constantly to make sure we have the best equipment, and I know we will have that. Hopefully we’ll be in victory circle like before.”

Castroneves and the rest of the Verizon IndyCar Series field also are eager to start the 2017 season this weekend at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. The race, which starts at 12:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday, March 12 and will be televised live on ABC, provides a challenge to drivers and teams because it combines airport runways and city streets.

“We just had our preseason test at Sebring, and we feel that we have four new machines ready to go,” Castroneves said of Team Penske. “Hopefully we can continue our success in St. Pete. It’s unique because it’s the airport and then you go through the streets of downtown St. Pete.

“This year the challenge is going to be a bit different because they resurfaced the place, and we’re going to have a little bit more smoothness compared to the past. But at the end of the day, it’s a great event. The people really enjoy having us there, and it’s the first event of the season. I can’t wait to be in that victory circle again.”