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American Morning

Castroneves Discusses Indianapolis 500 Win

Aired May 28, 2001 - 09:58   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.
LAURA OKMIN, CNN ANCHOR: In 84 years, only seven rookies have ever won racing's most prestigious event, the Indianapolis 500.

After yesterday's race, we have an eighth, and he is joining us right now live -- Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves.

Helio, how does the new title sound? Are you getting used to it?

HELIO CASTRONEVES, 2001 INDY 500 WINNER: I'm still actually dreaming. I'm still in the clouds, feeling the great atmosphere here. I don't want to go home. I want to stay here.

OKMIN: You've got your sleeping bag. Have you even slept, or have you been partying all night, hopefully?

CASTRONEVES: I tell you, it's unbelievable. You know, it's a great feeling. Everybody just did a spectacular job.

I have to thank you guys, to make me look good on the TV, saying my name right. You guys are the experts.

OKMIN: I think we'll get it now, for sure, after yesterday.

Helio, one month ago, you were participating in a rookie orientation program at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Did you ever even fantasize for a minute you would actually be winning it a month later?

CASTRONEVES: I tell you what: I think the most important things were the rookie orientation. I was a rookie, no doubt. I was learning every lap at this track; 200 laps definitely taught my a lot of stuff.

At the same time, I was asking a lot of opinions from the great champions: Rick Mears, Bob Unser, Al Unser Sr., Johnnie (ph) -- all these guys. I was always asking opinions because everyone was giving a different tip. Luckily, I was a good listener, because I was able to put it on the track, and I think I came really well-prepared for this racetrack.

What a dream come true.

OKMIN: Talk about a dream come true, a lot of people were a little surprised when you climbed the wall yesterday. I know you're known as the Spiderman, and racing fans should have known that you were going to do that, but did anybody tell you you maybe you shouldn't do it here, at racing's most prestigious track -- why don't you just drive over to Victory Lane and celebrate the normal way?

CASTRONEVES: Basically, a lot of people, when I started doing that, which was last year, my first race in Detroit, where I won, people were at first shocked because you don't see a car stopping and the driver jumping and climbing the fence. But when I did it was to express my feelings, my emotion, my happiness. It's so tough to win a race, and people need to realize how tough and how happy everybody is.

And of course, you guys saw how happy I was yesterday. I couldn't contain myself, and I think, actually, I said I owe the team -- Let's go, you guys deserve this because this is a traditional race.

This is the race that everybody always dreamed to win. And I did it fantastic job. What a lucky guy I am. I just have to thank the guy upstairs, and of course, my family.

OKMIN: Congratulations again, and thanks for joining us. You look pretty good in that milk shower. Enjoy, OK?

CASTRONEVES: Thank you very much, I appreciate that.

OKMIN: Thank you.

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