Indianapolis, Indiana. Helio Castroneves goes for a record third consecutive Indy 500 victory on Sunday, May 25, 2003 ... A feat that has never been accomplished in the 86 year history of the May classic.
Helio made a great start on backing up his past two Indy 500 championships by taking the pole for the 500. "Spider Man" is just the latest chapter in Team Penske's impressive record at the Brickyard:

Helio Castroneves ninth career Indy Car pole and his first at the 
Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

2003 marks Team Penske's record 12th pole at Indy in 70 attempts (18%)
Past Pole winners include:
 

Rick Mears (6) four-time Indy 500 winner 1979, 1984, 1988, 1991
Emerson Fittipaldi (1) two-time Indy 500 winner 1989 & 1993
Al Unser, Jr (1) two-time Indy 500 winner 1992 & 1994
Bobby Unser (1)  three-time Indy 500 winner 1968, 1975, 1981
Tom Sneva (2) Indy 500 winner 1983

Penske Racing had 3 consecutive poles at Indy from 1988-1991

Penske Racing has started on the front row 30 times in 70 attempts (43%)

Penske Racing has won from the pole 5 times in the 500:
Rick Mears 1979, 1988 & 1991
Bobby Unser 1981
Al Unser, Jr 1994

Helio Castroneves Wins The Pole Position 2003
Oak Park Journal photo by Dan Peters

With his 2003 Indy 500 pole, Helio Castroneves has now started in the top 
five in each of the three 2003 Indy Racing League Indy Car Series races run to date (Indianapolis)
 

Helio has scored four wins from the pole:
Laguna Seca, 2000
Long Beach, 2001
Detroit, 2001
Phoenix, 2002

With his pole at Indy, he now has four poles on ovals
Milwaukee, 6/6/99 (Career first pole)
Japan, 5/18/01
Phoenix, 3/16/02
Indianapolis, 5/11/03

This is Marlboro Team Penske's 141st Pole.