By: Spencer Neff
February 19, 2023

The 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season saw major changes within Meyer Shank Racing. After his record-tying fourth win at the 105th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, Helio Castroneves was signed to a full-time ride in the No. 06 entry.

Following the departure of Jack Harvey, Castroneves would be joined by former Penske teammate Simon Pagenaud. The 2016 series champion and 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner would pilot the No. 60 car.

Simon Pagenaud

In each of the first three races, MSR had at least one driver qualify in the Top 10. After Simon Pagenaud finished 11th at Barber Motorsports Park, both drivers turned in season-best performances at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the month of May.

In conditions reminiscent of his 2019 win, Pagenaud made his way from 20th to second, scoring his first podium finish since the 2020 event on the infield road course.

Pagenaud would end the month eighth at the “500” after starting 16th. The Montmorillon, France native would go on to record finishes of 12th or better at the next four races and a 10th-place effort on the streets of Nashville.

For the first time in his career, Pagenaud finished a full season without leading a lap. With the past success of both himself and Meyer Shank, the No 60 will look for a bounce-back second year together.

Helio Castroneves

For the Sao Paulo, Brazil native, much of the focus for 2022 was on the “Drive for Five”. 30 years after the last “500′ four-time winners A.J. Foyt and Rick Mears, Castroneves begun his quest for an unprecedented fifth win.

Castroneves led his only lap of 2022 at Texas on March 20 before he was involved in a multi-car crash.

In his “Drive for Five”, Castroneves rebounded after qualifying a disappointing 27th. In his 21st “500”, he worked his way up to finish seventh. A month earlier in Long Beach, he finished ninth after qualifying 14th.

During the Pataskala, Ohio-based outfit’s “home” race on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Castroneves finished eighth after starting 15th. After four part-time seasons, Castroneves earned his first Top 10 on a natural terrain road course since the 2018 race on the IMS Road Course.

30 years after the late Al Unser made his final “500” start and Foyt made an emotional retirement from INDYCAR, Castroneves takes the “Drive for Five” into a second year.

Header Image: Pagenaud (60) and Castroneves (06) side-by-side through Turn 1 at Iowa Speedway during the Hyvee-deals.com 250 on July 23 (Chris Jones/INDYCAR)