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Simon Pagenaud, Helio Castroneves fastest in first Indy 500 practice sessions

INDIANAPOLIS -- Team Penske topped opening day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as Simon Pagenaud and Helio Castroneves paced the first practice sessions for the Indianapolis 500.

It was a big boost of confidence for Castroneves, who wasted no time getting up to speed at his favorite racetrack. The three-time Indianapolis 500 winner was fastest in Tuesday afternoon's practice session, while Pagenaud led the morning session.

Pagenaud went 225.787 mph in the morning to earn fastest driver of the day. Castroneves went 224.665 for fastest in the afternoon. The Brazilian was moved by team owner Roger Penske to sports cars this season but returned to IndyCar last week for the road course race at Indy to prepare for a run at a record-tying fourth 500 victory later this month.