INDIANAPOLIS -- A few weeks ago, Helio Castroneves was facing the prospect of spending years in prison, but the month of May provided a dramatic turnaround to his fortunes.

Castroneves claimed his third Indianapolis 500 victory Sunday in convincing fashion, pulling away from Dan Wheldon and Danica Patrick in a 17-lap sprint to the finish.

Slideshow: Castroneves Win

"This is incredible," Castroneves said, sobbing uncontrollably as his mother hugged him after the race. "I think my tears speak for everything."

Just five weeks before the race, Castroneves was found not guilty on tax evasion charges. With a new lease on life, he immediately jumped back into his comfort zone, an Indy car.

The month of May couldn't have gone better for Castroneves, who won the pole and whose team claimed the pit crew competition. The Indy 500 victory capped a perfect month, a fact that wasn't lost on Castroneves.

"This is the best month ever," he said, with a wide smile.

It was Castroneves' third Indy 500 victory, and perhaps the most meaningful for him.

Several drivers led during the day, including, Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti and Ryan Briscoe, but Castroneves simply drove away from Wheldon and Patrick, leaving little doubt for the outcome ahead.

"I had a really good car on long runs," Patrick said. "It just wasn't enough really."

"It was a tough day, but a very rewarding day after a tough month," said Dan Wheldon, who qualified 18th but steadily moved up all day.

Vitor Meira and Raphael Matos tangled in a nasty crash on lap 173, bringing out the eighth caution of the day and giving drivers a chance to get in the pits and get fuel for the final run.

Meira was hospitalized with what he called extreme lower back pain, but was moving his arms and legs.

Justin Wilson crashed in lap 159, prompting the seventh caution of the day.

Five crashes in the first 98 laps of the race led to numerous lead changes and took several drivers, including Tony Kanaan, out of the race.

Something went out on Kanaan's car on lap 98, causing him to slam into the wall. Flames shot from the right side of Kanaan's car, but he was not seriously injured.

"I knew it was going to be a big one. I'm pretty beat up," said Kanaan, who was limping after the hard hit.

Kanaan has had plenty of frustration in years past at the Indy 500, despite having finished in the top five three times in seven starts.

Davey Hamilton hit the wall on lap 83, prompting the fourth caution of the day.

Fan favorite Graham Rahal crashed in turn four on lap 57, eliminating him from contention.

Ryan Briscoe took the lead a few laps before Rahal's crash with a pass of Dario Franchitti, but Briscoe lost numerous track spots after a series of pit stops, leaving Scott Dixon with the lead for several laps.

Franchitti had the lead earlier for less than 30 laps after he passed polesitter Castroneves.

The race started with a bang as two drivers got together in a first-lap crash.

Mario Moraes and Marco Andretti collided, putting both of them out of the race. Moraes moved outside and into Andretti, who was on the high side.

"I was really worried about that, and sure enough," Andretti said, calling Moraes "clueless."

Moraes shot back that Andretti's car hit him, a statement that wasn't backed up by replays.

Ryan Hunter-Reay bowed out of the race when he made contact with the wall in lap 21.

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