One of a series of stories highlighting where current Verizon IndyCar Series stars rank statistically in the history of the sport.

With 16 races scheduled for the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season, Helio Castroneves could move into the top five on the all-time Indy car list for starts.

His fellow Brazilian Tony Kanaan, who holds the record for consecutive starts at 249 and counting, also could move up the list.

Their longevity in the physically- and mentally-demanding sport is a testament to their skill, success and conditioning along with being relatively injury-free.

Castroneves, who has competed the past 16 seasons with Team Penske, made his first Indy car start on March 15, 1998, at Homestead-Miami Speedway with Bettenhausen Motorsports. He started 22nd and finished 24th (contact).

He has amassed 29 victories, including three in the Indianapolis 500, and 45 poles in his 311 starts.

Kanaan, the 2004 series champion and 2013 Indy 500 winner, also made his first start in 1998 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He started 18th and finished 29th (contact) with Tasman Motorsports. He won the 1997 Indy Lights championship the year prior with the team.

How did Castroneves wind up with one more Indy car start than Kanaan? The difference boils down to three seasons.

Castroneves raced Verizon IndyCar Series events at Indianapolis and Phoenix in 2001 in addition to the full-time CART schedule, giving him two more starts than Kanaan that season.

Kanaan, who missed four races in 2000 and a race in 2001 because of injury, remained in the CART in 2002, when Castroneves and Team Penske moved to the Verizon IndyCar Series full time. The difference in schedules, combined with Kanaan’s start at Indianapolis, gives Kanaan five more starts in 2002.

Castroneves missed the 2009 season opener at St. Petersburg, giving him one more start than his longtime friend and rival.

Reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon is the other active driver who could move up the career starts list in 2016.

Most Indy car starts
Modern Era (1946 - 2015)

** Active Drivers