Helio Castroneves eyes 300th start

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Saturday marks a career milestone for Helio Castroneves as he will drive in his 300th career race.

“It’s awesome to be able to wake up in the morning and for the 300th time be able to do what I love,” said Castroneves. “I feel like a very fortunate person to do that.”

Helio’s first race on the circuit was the Grand Prix of Miami in 1998, where he crashed out after 24 laps. And it should come as no surprise that some of his favorite memories have come at IMS, where he won the Indianapolis 500 in 2001, 2002 and 2009.

Those who know him best say not much has changed about Helio in his 17 years on the circuit.

“The first time I met Helio was in 1990 when we ran world championship go karts,” said his teammate Juan Pablo Montoya. “Same as today, but he puts a lot more stuff in his hair now.”

The milestone also comes a day before his 40th birthday.