Rank: 4 Points: -109
Helio Castroneves returns with Team Penske in 2010. The 2009 season brought Castroneves success, as he won two races, earned two poles and he continued his streak of winning in each of his 10 seasons with Team Penske. He is the current IndyCar Series all-time record holder in wins from the pole (eight), pole positions (27), and top-five finishes (73).
A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Castroneves has always seemed to shine during the month of May in Indianapolis and that was certainly the case in 2009. After missing the first race of the season while he dealt with tax issues, Castroneves returned to the track behind the wheel of the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda in April. He then won his third Indy 500 pole position in May and followed it up by winning the team Pit Stop Competition and his third Indianapolis 500 victory for Team Penske’s record 15th win at the Brickyard. Helio finished fourth overall for the season.
In 2008, Castroneves,finished second in IndyCar Series standings for Team Penske, the previous year placing sixth in the points standings, posting an IndyCar series record seven poles in one season. In 2006, Helio finished third in the championship standings; 2005-he finished sixth, and 2004-fourth.
In 2003, Helio finished third in IndyCar Series standings with race victories at Gateway and Nazareth. Scored nine top-five finishes, tying him with three other drivers for most top fives. He captured the MBNA Pole for 87th Indianapolis 500, becoming the first back-to-back "500" winner to win the pole for his attempt to win three in a row. The driver finished second in the race, making his results of first, first, second in his first three starts at Indianapolis the best of any driver in "500" history. The two previous years-2002- Helio, winning the Indy 500, finished second in the points standings, and in 2001, narrowly defeated Team Penske teammate, Gil de Ferran while competing in CART. In 2000, Castroneves garnered his first CART victory-at Detroit.
Prior to signing with Team Penske, Helio ran with Hogan Racing, and in his rookie year in CART-Bettenhausen Motorsports. His earlier racing career included the PPG Dayton Indy Lights, British F3, and South American F3. He got his start in karting, winning the Brazilian National title, and racing in the World Cup Go-Kart championship in Europe.
Castroneves is known for his signature victory celebration of climbing the fence after taking the checkered flag. His witty attitude and bright smile coupled with his unpredictable outbursts of unbridled enthusiasm make him one of the shining stars in all of motorsports and have landed him on the pages of People, Newsweek, TV Guide, Esquire and Maxim.
In 2007, Castroneves brought his incredible passion for life to a much wider audience when he competed on ABC’s hit television show “Dancing with the Stars.” A combination of his charismatic personality, intense training and dancing skills won him the hearts of millions of new fans and the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. He has since parlayed his stay in the entertainment world into working as a correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight."
Castroneves’ celebrity status has afforded him an array of opportunities worldwide, the highlight of which came in 2004, when he had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of a private audience with Pope John Paul II while visiting Vatican City. His garage boasts a 2006 Acura RL; a 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo; the 2001 Indianapolis 500 Pace Vehicle Oldsmobile Bravada; and a 50th Anniversary Special Edition Chevrolet Corvette which he received for winning the 2002 Indianapolis 500. There was big news off the track in 2009 for Castroneves as he and his girlfriend, Adriana Henao, welcomed a baby girl — Mikaella — in December. …..follow Helio on his twitter page, http://twitter.com/h3lio and website http://heliocastroneves.com/ |
