The 105th Indianapolis 500 demonstrated the magical power of these races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the unique manner in which mere mortals become motorsports legends. Helio Castroneves’ introduction to U.S. open-wheel racing came in a four-man tryout for Tasman Motorsports’ 1996 Indy Lights team, and the young Brazilian almost didn’t get the gig due to being sick. But Castroneves impressed well enough to get the ride alongside boyhood friend Tony Kanaan, then finished second to Kanaan in the 1997 championship,...