Indy 500 Odds at online bookmaker SBGglobal.com have two-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves listed as the favorite to win the 2009 Indianapolis 500. Castroneves, who was on trial for tax evasion in April, is on the pole for the most recognized race in all of motorsports.
Castroneves is currently 10th in the Indy Racing League points standings with 66 ; however, the Brazilian missed the first race of the season, the Streets of St. Petersburg on April 5th. Helio was facing federal tax evasions charges, but was welcomed back to Team Penske after being acquitted on April 17th.
It did not take Castroneves long to feel comfortable again in a race car. The 34 year old took seventh in his first race back, the Streets of Long Beach on April 7th, and he finished second at the Kansas Speedway on April 26th.
Roger Penske, who has seen 14 of his cars win the Indy 500, was more than pleased to see his driver excel after going through such a difficult situation.
"To have Helio, after his time off, to come back and show everybody how good he really is — it was a thrill for me and obviously for him and all the people who stood behind him over the last five or six months," Penske said.
For Castroneves part, the support Team Penske showed him, coupled with the approach they took upon his return was key.
"The team has been incredible," Castroneves said. "They gave me all the tools to take it easy and take my time. That is extremely important. I didn't take any rush. I was like, go with the flow."
Helio Castroneves, who won the Indy 500 in 2001 and 2002, also indicated that being a part of the most successful race team in the IRL history has helped him regain his form in quick fashion. He credits Penske for his becoming the Indy 500 odds favorite.
"The good news is, when you have good equipment and people like that, it's just like riding a bicycle," Castroneves said. "It comes back really quick."
The Indianapolis 500 will take place Sunday, May 24th at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be broadcast live on ABC at 1:00pm ET.
Helio Castroneves +300
Scott Dixon +350
Ryan Briscoe +500
Dario Franchitti +650
Tony Kanaan +850
Danica Patrick +850
Marco Andretti +1000
Dan Wheldon +1500
Graham Rahal +1500
Paul Tracy +2000
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