Indy 500: Two-Time Winner Helio Castroneves Takes Pole

"This is very special for Team Penske," said Castroneves at a press conference on Sunday. "We're going to have a lot of fun the whole season."

Completing the top three slots is Ryan Briscoe, Castroneves' teammate on Team Penske, with a speed of 224.083 mph, and Dario Franchitti of Target Chip Ganassi Racing in 3rd place at 224.010 mph.

A 28-year-old rookie, Raphael Matos, posted the fastest average speed over four laps at 223.429 mph and made it to the Indy field in 12th position for the May 24 race. Perhaps the greatest excitement of the day came as Scott Sharp was the final qualifier of the day, with 20 minutes left to spare, at an average of 222.163 mph. Sharp was on the pole for the 2001 Indy 500 and has started the race 13 times. He'll start in 20th position this year.

The third round of qualifying takes place next Saturday.

Inside Line says: The pageantry continues in the run-up to Memorial Day weekend. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent