INDIANAPOLIS -- Helio Castroneves monitored the first four IndyCar races of the season from afar.
He learned to cope with the emotions of competing outside the series, being away from longtime friends and surrounded by his biggest fans. The itch to be out there, competing, never waned, though.
On Friday, the beloved Brazilian will get the best belated birthday gift he could: Returning to the track as he prepares to make his season debut Saturday in the IndyCar Grand Prix.
"It's really hard when you drove for 20 years and all of a sudden you're doing something else," Castroneves said Thursday as he celebrated his 43rd birthday.