By Dave Lewandowski
indycar.com

MOTEGI, Japan - Some statistics to consider regarding IndyCar Series points leader Helio Castroneves’ results in his immediate race before winning at Indianapolis:

2001 (Phoenix International Raceway)
Car: Penske Auto Center Special Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone Started 17, finished 18 (led four laps; engine problem curtailed day after 142 laps)
In the standings: 18th (after one event)
Indianapolis: Started 11 (led 52 laps)

2002 (Nazareth Speedway)
Car: Marlboro Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone Started second, finished fifth (led 51 laps)
In the standings: Third (after four events)
Indianapolis: Started 13th (led 24 laps)

Four years removed and Castroneves is on a roll in the No. 3 Marlboro Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone heading to the 90th Indianapolis 500. He dominated at Twin Ring Motegi on April 22, leading 184 of 200 laps to win the Indy Japan 300. He was quickest in both practice sessions, and won for the fourth time from the pole (of nine career victories).

With back-to-back victories (the other in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg) and a runner-up finish on the Homestead-Miami Speedway oval March 26, Castroneves is the early favorite to provide team owner Roger Penske a 14th Indianapolis 500 championship. Practice begins May 9.

“Everybody on our team is really looking forward to May,” said Castroneves, who has finished second, ninth and ninth in the succeeding years at the Brickyard. “We have a long month to work. We’re going to continue thinking like that, and hopefully the result will pay off the way it's paying off right now.

“It’s just a matter of finally everything gets going (in) our direction. It’s a combination of a lot of hard work from everyone back in the shop and here. It’s finally coming together.”

In the Toyota Indy 300 at Homestead, Castroneves and Dan Wheldon hooked up in a late-race duel to the finish that the reigning IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 champion won by 0.0147 of a second. On the 1.5-mile Twin Ring Motegi oval, Wheldon was the runner-up - but not by a similarly close margin.

“Helio's got a little bit of momentum,” said Wheldon, who trails Castroneves by 42 points in the standings. “But he certainly can be stopped and we'll do our best to stop it.”

Last year, it was Wheldon who took the momentum into “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” He had won three of the initial four races, including the Indy Japan 300 for the second consecutive year.

How much carries over to Indianapolis? The first four days of practice May 9-12, leading into WorldPoints Visa Card Pole Day, will be an indication.

“We had a lot of things going for us (at Motegi),” Marlboro Team Penske president Tim Cindric said. “He drove a great race. I think it’s the first time he’s won two races in a row. We’re out to win three in a row, for sure.”