Rick Mears: Consequences If Helio Castroneves Wins Fifth Indy 500

When Autoweek asked Rick Mears during Friday’s Team Penske press conference just how supportive he’s going to be for former teammate Helio Castroneves’ bid to win a record-breaking fifth Indianapolis 500 on May 29, Mears responded with a straight face, “I’m not going to be supportive.”

Mears quickly burst out in a laugh, showing everyone in attendance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that he was only kidding.

But Mears wasn't done with his good-natured ribbing and one-liners.

“As a matter of fact, I told him just the other day … you'd better be very careful what you wish for here,” Mears chuckled, noting that if Castroneves wins, he would be out of the “Four-Time 500 Winner’s Club” that includes Mears, A.J. Foyt and the late Al Unser.

“If you win that fifth, first of all, we're going to kick you out of the club and you're going to be all by yourself, nobody to hang out with, so be careful,” Mears said with another laugh.

But Mears then grew serious and said he’s pulling for Castroneves to make history on May 29th.

“It would be great,” Mears said. “It would be great for the sport, it would be great for the series if he did get the fifth. Hopefully, we (Team Penske) will make it a little tougher on him to get that fifth one this year (because Castroneves is driving for the rival Meyer-Shank Racing team), but it would be outstanding.”

And just to make sure there was no misunderstanding, Mears stoically added, “And I do support him.”

Follow Autoweek contributor Jerry Bonkowski on Twitter @JerryBonkowski