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Column: IndyCar drivers shine in Rolex field full of stars

Winners of the LeMans Prototype 2 class in the Rolex 24 hour auto race, from left to right, Mexico's Patricio O'Ward, Eric Lux, Devlin Defrancesco and Cotlon Herta pose at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Winners of the LeMans Prototype 2 class in the Rolex 24 hour auto race, from left to right, Mexico's Patricio O'Ward, Eric Lux, Devlin Defrancesco and Cotlon Herta pose at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Winners of the LeMans Prototype 2 class in the Rolex 24 hour auto race, from left to right, Mexico's Patricio O'Ward, Eric Lux, Devlin Defrancesco and Cotlon Herta pose at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

By JENNA FRYER / The Associated Press 6 min read

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- Helio Castroneves seemed to be nearing the end of his storied career when Roger Penske no longer had a seat for him after 21 years, three Indianapolis 500 victories and an IMSA sports car championship.

Convinced he still had a lot of racing left in him, Castroneves searched for new rides. He teamed with Wayne Taylor Racing last year to win his first Rolex 24 at Daytona, something he failed to do in four tries with Penske, then Meyer Shank Racing took him back to Indianapolis and Castroneves broke through for his record-tying fourth victory.

That win helped develop a full program with Shank for the upcoming IndyCar season, and on Sunday Castroneves added a second consecutive Rolex watch to his collection at Daytona.

It was the headline on a spectacular day for IndyCar, which had 12 drivers in the field of 235 of the world’s best endurance racers. Five IndyCar drivers left with Rolex watches and seven total scored podium finishes.

The haul could have been higher but teams featuring reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou, six-time series champion Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson and Jimmie Johnson dropped out of contention. Indy Lights champion Kyle Kirkwood, set to make his IndyCar debut this season, saw his his team finish fourth.