A notably talented road racer, Helio Castroneves had crashed out of all three street/road racing events in 2005 source: irl.racing-live.com - ORS / CAPSIS International In St. Pete, he certainly did not take it easy, pushing and shoving his way through traffic en route to his eighth IndyCar Series win to go along with six CART victories. "I was really pushing out there," said Castroneves who had radio problems which prevented him from understanding his team's strategy at time. "Even when I was in the lead, I was getting too close to the wall, trying to make up time. I drove it like I stole it." The excitable and emotional Brazilian gave a fitting and personalized tribute to a fallen competitor - screaming in victory lane, "Paul Dana - you are in our hearts buddy, you and your entire family." Every car and many of the driver's and official's helmets carried the letters, "PD" in honor of Dana, who was killed last Sunday in a practice crash at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Castroneves led a total of 40 laps in today's race, though the early going was dominated by pole sitter Dario Franchitti. He would jump out to a comfortable lead until lap 15 when a failed wheel bearing ended his race. Scott Dixon appeared to have the field covered at times, but damage to his front wing would eventually slow him slightly - handing the victory to Castroneves. "We went into the second stint of tires and somehow broke the front wing," said Dixon who even after the race is not exactly sure how the wing got broken. "I just couldn't turn right. Once I got behind lapped traffic, any kind of dirty air, I just couldn't get off the corner, and couldn't pass anybody."
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