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CNN Live At Daybreak

Controversy at Indy 500

Aired May 27, 2002 - 06:44   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Winning the Indy 500 is a matter of preparation, skill, luck and split seconds. Well yesterday for Paul Tracy his luck ran out in a blink of an eye as he surged into the lead on the next to last lap. After a five-and-a-half-hour controversy, the Indy Racing League ruled that Tracy had not finished passing the leader when a caution light came on and that decision gave Helio Castroneves his second straight Indy 500 victory.

Our Ray D'Alessio picks up the story from there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAY D'ALESSIO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Under normal circumstances the second-place finish here at Indy would be cause for a major party, especially for Paul Tracy who in four previous appearances in the 500 finished no better than 20th. However, afterwards, Tracy was in no mood to celebrate.

PAUL TRACY, SECOND-PLACE FINISHER: I feel that I'm the winner of the race to me (ph) unless IMS can prove us otherwise, because I was ahead of Helio when the yellow came out. I passed him going into turn three, the yellow came out and you know, he's down at the victory podium now. So a little disappointing for the 7-11 crew.

BARRY GREEN, OWNER TEAM GREEN: The only question we have is when the yellow light came on was Paul Tracy in front or behind Castroneves. And if he was in front, he's the winner of the race. If he's behind, he is -- he's in second place. And it's a very close call.

HELIO CASTRONEVES, INDY 500 WINNER: I would have -- I would do the same thing in his shoes, you know, because, hey, it's an Indy 500 and a -- and a -- and again, it was a very close call. And everything was under control but he would have passed me like easy the way he passed me. I would have give a little more hard time, you know, so that's why I don't understand why the controversy you know. And again, that's the way it goes.

D'ALESSIO: So while Paul Tracy contends the winner's ceremonial swig of milk is now spoiled, Helio Castroneves can relish in the fact he becomes the first repeat winner at the 500 since Al Unser Sr. in 1970 and '71.

At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I'm Ray D'Alessio, CNN. (END VIDEOTAPE)

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