Helio Castroneves to attempt 2026 Indianapolis

Helio Castroneves will pursue his fifth victory this May, while Takuma Sato will also return to attempt to join an elite group.

Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian (MSR) announced on March 17 that Castroneves, a four-time winner of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” will strive for an unprecedented fifth “500” victory in the team’s No. 06 Cleveland-Cliffs Honda entry in May. Later that day, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced that two-time “500” winner Sato will drive the team’s No. 75 AMADA Honda in May.

The 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Castroneves is among four drivers with four victories in the world’s most prestigious auto race, joining A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Rick Mears.

“The drive for five is still alive!” Castroneves stated on X. “We’re going to be ready for the Indy 500. Let’s get ready together.”

The Brazilian Castroneves, who turns 51 on May 10, achieved his first three “500” victories with Team Penske in 2001, 2002, and 2009. He secured his place among the race’s legends with his fourth victory in 2021 with MSR, where he is now a part-owner.

He has also claimed four “500” poles, in 2003, 2007, 2009, and 2010.

Castroneves will attempt his 26th start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Only Foyt (35), Mario Andretti (29), and Unser (27) have made more starts in the race’s history. Castroneves has 17 top-10 finishes in his 25 starts and has earned a race-record $15,911,549 in “500” prize money.