It’s not an uncommon sight to see racers who don’t finish first lose their cool—if you witnessed Danny Way’s temper tantrum on Saturday after the pro/celebrity race, or if you’ve seen some of Danica Patrick’s highlight reel, you know that.  But at the Grand Prix in Long Beach, there was one driver (who’s had his share of first-place finishes) who was more than happy to finish off the podium: Helio Castroneves.

Castroneves was racing on slightly less than 48 hours of notice, after being flown out from Miami following his acquittal on tax evasion charges on Friday.  “I just wanted to get out of there,” said an unusually introspective Castroneves.  “I wanted to come to Long Beach and see all my friends.”

And that’s exactly what he did, with a little bit of racing thrown in for good measure.  Talking about getting back in the car again, and the warm reception he got from racing fans, Castroneves’ familiar smile and excitable personality bubbled out again.  “I’m back in the game,” he said, unable to wipe the smile from his face.  “And I’m happy about that.  The crowd here was so great.  It was fantastic to get out there.”

Of course, his return doesn’t come without its challenges, from the serious (it’s hard to see a fantastic driver like Will Power bumped from his car, and have to sit out next week at Kansas) to the not so serious (Castroneves said the muscles in his butt were sore after the Saturday qualifying round).  Power for his part, has been more than gracious, as the defending LB GP champ moved into a new car a day-and-a-half before the race.  “I’m just happy to be given an opportunity,” said Power, “Especially with a team like Penske.”

All of the buzz and swirl of the last two days melted away when he got back into town, though, according to Castroneves.  “You get butterflies sometimes before a race,” he said.  “Not me last night.  My mind caught up to me: I’m in Long Beach.”

But while Castroneves put on an ebullient performance for the media, and while he’s clearly overjoyed to be back behind a wheel, it’s obvious that the darkness of the last few weeks will not be easily erased.  “That scar will always be there,” he said.  “But it will make me appreciate the smaller things when I see it.  I can honestly say I’m a better man for it now.”

All in all, a few errors cost him a chance to compete for the top spot, but for Castroneves, the opportunity to compete—perhaps one of those smaller things he says he’ll appreciate now—is fine.  “It would’ve been a great finish [to win]…But seventh is still very good,” he said with a smile.  Perhaps—but not as satisfying as it is to see one of racing’s most exciting personalities back where he belongs.