Record Indianapolis 500 pay cheque

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A delighted Helio Castroneves waves the sprays the traditional bottle milk after winning the Indianapolis 500 for a third time.

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Helio Castroneves has earned a record $US3,048,005 ($NZ5 million) for his third Indianapolis 500 victory.

The prize money from yesterday's (NZ time) race was announced at the annual victory dinner early today, and Castroneves' share for Team Penske broke the former record of $US2.99 million to Ganassi Racing's New Zealander, Scott Dixon, last year.

The total purse of $US14.3 million was just short of the record $US14.4 million last year.

Runner-up Dan Wheldon received $US1.26 million, just under the second-place record $US1.27 million to Vitor Meira a year ago. Danica Patrick took home $US763,305 for third place and Townsend Bell received $US445,305 for fourth.

The $US3 million first prize boosted Castroneves' career winnings in nine races at Indianapolis to a record $US8,663,628.

-AP