As a highly paid professional athlete and the collector of a $3 million check for winning Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, Helio Castroneves doesn’t lack or want for much. But he still eyes something new.

Before winning the 500 for a third time, Castroneves saw a photograph of a former Indy winner having a crown placed on his head. He immediately requested one from Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Joie Chitwood.

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Replied Chitwood: “If you win five times, we’ll get you a crown.”

Such bling would be fitting because a fifth 500 victory would make the Brazilian the event’s undisputed king. He’s already near the throne.

Castroneves is one of nine drivers with at least three 500 victories, and only three have four Indy wins. Castroneves not only is the only active driver in the bunch, he’s properly positioned to complete a magical run at race history.

Castroneves has a multiyear contract to drive for the most successful team in race history, and team owner Roger Penske said Monday he’s committed to providing his prince a chance at the throne.

“We’ve got to have him break the all-time record,” Penske said. “He’s certainly in the mode to do it.”

Castroneves won’t shy from the challenge.

“It might be a young man’s game, but experience plays a big factor, especially at this place,” he said.

“If you still have the fire inside and you’re with a competitive team, I think as long as you have fun, you can do it.”

Castroneves just celebrated his 34th birthday, and Penske figures he could race “another four or five years, for sure.”

Among the four-time winners, A.J. Foyt was 42 when he won his final 500, Al Unser was 48 and Rick Mears was 39.

“Look at Mark Martin beating a lot of young kids and doing so well,” Castroneves said of the 50-year-old NASCAR driver.

“If you work for it, you can go a long time.”

With the Indy Racing League’s equipment package remaining the same for at least the next two years, Team Penske doesn’t figure to lose its competitiveness. It has won 15 500s, including five of the past nine and 39.4 percent it has been involved with (since 1972).

“And we know we’re coming back (next year),” Penske joked.

Team Penske’s check for winning the race was a record $3,048,005 and part of an overall purse of $14,315,315. Second-place Dan Wheldon received $1,258,805 for Panther Racing.

Alex Tagliani, who finished 11th, was named Rookie of the Year. The Canadian driver did not earn a starting spot in the race based on time, but he took Bruno Junqueira’s seat at Conquest Racing for sponsorship considerations.

Vitor Meira, who was involved in a crash with Rafael Matos, said he will miss four to six months of racing due to the two fractures in his lower back.

A.J. Foyt Racing has not named a replacement, but it will compete this week in Milwaukee. Matos visited Meira in Methodist Hospital on Monday.

“It shows who he is,” Meira said of his fellow Brazilian.

Tony Kanaansaid his second impact in Sunday’s crash broke the tub at his back. It was a 195 mph impact with a hit of 175 Gs. He suffered multiple bruises but no confirmed breaks, although he suspects he has broken ribs. . . . Penske said his team will fieldWill Power, who finished fifth in the 500, in additional races this season, but not at Milwaukee. . . .Sarah Fisherreceived the Scott Brayton Driver’s Trophy for her competitive spirit in the 500. . . . NeitherAlex LloydnorEd Carpenterhad seen the arrival of their second child as of Monday night. Their wives are due to deliver at any time.