Helio Castroneves shed tears of relief April 17 outside a Miami courthouse after being acquitted of federal tax evasion charges that threatened to - at the least -- curtail his racing career. On May 9 - a day before his 34th birthday - Castroneves was overcome by emotion again after winning the pole position for the Indianapolis 500. On May 24, his tears were masked by milk poured over his head in Victory Circle. "Incredible," shouted Castroneves, who put an exclamation point on a stellar Month of May - by him and the No. 3 Team Penske crew - by winning his third 500-Mile Race by 1.9819 seconds over 2005 champion Dan Wheldon. Danica Patrick finished a career-best third in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

"I think my tears speak for everything," said Castroneves minutes later. "What a great team. I just have to thank, first of all, the Lord for giving me this opportunity, to be strong, to have a family that I have. I have to thank (team owner) Roger (Penske), everybody because they gave my life back. I'm here today because of those guys, and obviously the fans who kept me strong."

It was the 15th victory for Penske at Indianapolis (seventh from the pole), and Castroneves became the ninth driver to win three or more races on the 2.5-mile oval that is being feted for its century of automotive initiatives and motorsports entertainment. Castroneves led the final 59 laps after passing Scott Dixon, the 2008 race winner, on the frontstretch of a restart.

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