Brazil's Helio Castroneves captured the IndyCar Series season opening race Sunday then celebrated the win with an emotional tribute to fallen IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon. After taking the checkered flag at the finish of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Castroneves got out of his car and paid tribute to his friend by stopping in turn 10 where he climbed a fence and patted a street sign in honour of Wheldon. When he got to the green and white sign, Castroneves also lifted up his head and pointed skyward. Wheldon died five months ago in a horrific 15-car smash at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This was the first race since the death of Wheldon, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and the 2005 series champ. Castroneves, who has won three Indy 500s, became the first three-time winner on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street circuit. It also marked his first win since September 2010 when he clinched the Twin Ring Motegi. Castroneves finished 5.529 seconds ahead of Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon.
