Patrick's third-place finish proves just how driven she actually is

INDIANAPOLIS -- While the motion picture that is Helio Castroneves' life has more sequels than the old "Rocky" movies, the back story to Sunday's 93rd Indianapolis 500 included the two stars of the 2005 race.

It was four years ago that a flamboyant, Englishman who looks and sounds like the Geico Gecko named Dan Wheldon drove to victory in the Indy 500 but his win was overshadowed by the emergence of a beautiful female who nearly won the race in her rookie year named Danica Patrick

This year, Wheldon and Patrick once again engaged in battle late in the race with Wheldon getting the edge over his female nemesis but their story was overshadowed by Castroneves' victory of epic proportions.

To call Castroneves' latest triumph over adversity when he was tried in federal court for tax evasion only to be acquitted, return to racing and win the Indy 500 a Hollywood story has become cliché -- everyone loves a happy ending.

But, it has to be a big story if Patrick's third-place finish in the Indy 500 is overshadowed.

That is what happened Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Patrick and Wheldon played supporting roles on the biggest auto racing stage of the world to a race driver that once won ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."

As former driver and current IndyCar team owner Jimmy Vasser once said, "Helio Castroneves is my favorite actor." By winning the Indy 500 for the third time in his career emphasizes Castroneves' ability to perform under extreme pressure.

Castroneves was the main act but the "Dan and Danica Show" was not only entertaining, it was impressive.

After driving for one of the best teams in IndyCar at Target/Chip Ganassi Racing since 2006, Wheldon's act had grown old and when team owner Chip Ganassi tried to lure Tony Kanaan to the team last summer, Wheldon knew it was time to hit the road. So he returned to the team where his IndyCar Series career started in 2002 at Panther Racing.

By finishing 1.9819-seconds behind Castroneves, Wheldon came close to winning his second Indy 500 in a car that was camouflaged for his sponsor, The National Guard.