versão em portugues abaixo

The Brazilian driver won in track, what would be his second victory of the year and 24th in the IZOD IndyCar series, but was penalized on the grounds of blocking Will Power in final re-start.
 
Although Helio Castroneves of Team Penske, was the winner of the Honda Indy Edmonton, the 11th stage of the 2010 IZOD Indycar Series raced in Canada today, the points the 1st place was awarded to New Zealander Scott Dixon, the Chip Ganassi Racing.
 
According to the race chief steward of the Indy Racing League, Brian Barnhart, Castroneves was penalized for, in the opinion of the sports authorities, blocking the Australian Will Power (Team Penske) during the re-start on lap 92.
 
The race ended on lap 95 and the Brazilian was confirmed as the 10th place, after the penalty of 20s added to his final time. “Obviously, I disagree with the decisions made by the race officials on the last restart in today’s race. It was absurd, because I never changed my racing line,” said Castroneves.
 
However, the driver lamented the fact that he acted emotional after the race and wished to apologize. “Although we do not agree to the penalty, but there is no excuse for my actions after the checkered flag. I apologize to my team, our sponsors, the fans and the entire IZOD IndyCar Series community for my behavior. My actions were totally wrong and I acted inappropriately to some people who are my friends and people I respect very much. Obviously, I am a very emotional person and today I let my emotions get the better of me and I’m very sorry for that. ”

Versão em Portugues

Helio Castroneves vence em Edmonton, mas recebe punição

O piloto brasileiro conquistou, na pista, aquela que seria a sua segunda vitória no ano e 24ª na Fórmula Indy, mas foi punido sob a alegação de bloquear Will Power na última relargada

(Domingo, 25 de julho de 2010) – Apesar de o piloto brasileiro Helio Castroneves, do Team Penske de Fórmula Indy, ter sido o grande vencedor da Honda Indy Edmonton, a 11ª etapa do 2010 IZOD Indycar Series disputada hoje no Canadá, os pontos da 1ª colocação foram atribuídos ao neozelandês Scott Dixon, da Chip Ganassi Racing.

De acordo com o comissário chefe de corridas da Indy Racing League, Brian Barnhart, Castroneves foi penalizado por, no entender das autoridades desportivas da prova, ter bloqueado o australiano Will Power (Team Penske) quando da relargada na volta 92. Os protestos não foram aceitos em razão de o regulamento da categoria não admitir recurso para bandeira preta (drive-thru), mesmo neste caso, quando não houve tempo para que a punição fosse cumprida.

A prova foi encerrada na volta 95 e o brasileiro foi confirmado como o 10º colocado, pois teve 20s acrescidos ao seu tempo final. “Obviamente que eu não concordo com as decisões tomadas pela direção de prova. Foi um absurdo, pois eu não mudei minha trajetória”, disse Castroneves.

Entretanto, o piloto lamentou o fato de ter agido de maneira emocional após a prova e fez questão de pedir desculpas. “Apesar de não concordar com a punição, não há desculpas para minhas ações depois da bandeira quadriculada. Peço desculpas à minha equipe, os nossos patrocinadores, fãs e toda a comunidade IZOD IndyCar Series pelo meu comportamento. Minhas ações foram totalmente erradas e agi de forma inadequada em relação a algumas pessoas que são minhas amigas e que eu respeito muito. Sou uma pessoa muito emocional e hoje eu deixei minhas emoções me dominarem. Sinto muito por isso”.

Jornalista Responsável
Américo Teixeira Jr. (MTB 18.702)
@dmotorsport
55 19 9749-8111
press@diariomotorsport.com.br
Assessor de Imprensa do Piloto Helio Castroneves no Brasil

Pistop practice went on this morning for the #3 Team Penske carof Helio Castroneves, to ensure accuracy and speedy pitstops during the race.

It was also a practice for the pitstop competition, which will occur tomorrow(Friday) at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Foi também um treino para a competição de pitstop, que ocorrerá amanhã (sexta-feira) no Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

(Indianapolis, USA – Wednesday, May 26, 2010) Helio Castroneves of Team Penske, will launch on Wednesday in Indianapolis, his autobiographical book entitled “Victory Road – The Ride of My Life.” The event will be divided into two parts. The first will be at the bookstore of the Museum of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, between 11 am and noon, local time. The other will be from 7-8pm in downtown Indianapolis, at Border’s bookstore (11 South Meridian Street #110).

Helio Castroneves wins the pole position for the 2010 Indy 500.

Now, the Brazilian driver holds 38 starts in the pole position in the IRL, including four at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

(Indianapolis, USA) Helio Castroneves wrote one page of great significance in his career’s 13 seasons in the IZOD Indycar Series. He secured the pole for the main race of the calendar for the fourth time and went on to score his 38th pole position. This year’s new INDY 500 qualifying format also awarded Castroneves with 15 points towards the championship, passing to the second position, now with 177 points.

Fulfilled the first phase of Pole Day, Castroneves secured provisional pole position by indicating the average 226.774 mph on his second attempt.

“The Fast Nine” composed: Helio Castroneves, Alex Tagliani, Dario Franchitti, Will Power, Scott Dixon, Graham Rahal, Hideki Mutoh Ryan Briscoe and Ed Carpenter.

Castroneves noted in the first minutes of this final phase averaged 227.970 mph, 228.213 mph with a peak in the second of four turns. After that he followed the rest of the qualifying in the car, under the sunny afternoon in Indianapolis. Thus, the end of nearly an hour and a half maximum concentration, Castroneves could celebrate one that certainly was the most agonizing and tiring pole position of his career.

The 33 drivers, who secured a place for the 2010 Indy 500, are as follows:

Row 1
1 – #3 – Helio Castroneves (Brazil) – Team Penske – 227.970 mph
2 – #12 – Will Power (Australia) – Team Penske – 227.587 mph
3 – #10 – Dario Franchitti (Scotland) – Chip Ganassi Racing – 226.990 mph

Row 2
4 – #6 – Ryan Briscoe (Australia) – Team Penske – 226.554 mph
5 – #77 – Alex Tagliani (Canada) – FAZZT Race Team – 226.390 mph
6 – #9 – Scott Dixon (New Zealand) – Chip Ganassi Racing – 226.233 mph

Row 3
7 – #30 – Graham Rahal (USA) – Rahal Letterman Racing – 225.519 mph
8 – #20 – Ed Carpenter (USA) – Panther Racing – 224.507 mph
9 – #06 – Hideki Mutoh (Japan) – Newman Haas Racing – 223.487 mph

Row 4
10 – #99 – Townsend Bell (USA) – Chip Ganassi Racing/Sam Schimidt Motorsport – 225.097 mph
11 – #22 – Justin Wilson (England) – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing – 225.050 mph
12 – #2 – Raphael Matos (Brazil) – De Ferran Luczo Dragon Racing – 225.028 mph

Row 5
13 – #32 – Mario Moraes (Brazil) – KV Racing Technology – 224.888 mph
14 – #21 – Davey Hamilton (USA) – De Ferran Luczo Dragon Racing – 224.852 mph
15 – #24 – Mike Conway (England) – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing – 224.583 mph

Row 6
16 – #26 – Marco Andretti (USA) – Andretti Autosport – 224.575 mph
17 – #37 – Ryan Hunter-Reay (USA) – Andretti Autosport – 224,547 mph
18 – #4 – Dan Wheldon (England) – Panther Racing – 224.464 mph

Row 7
19 – #8 – Ernesto Viso (Venezuela) – KV Racing Technology – 224.380 mph
20 – #23 – Tomas Scheckter (South Africa) – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing – 224.261 mph
21 – #25 – Ana Beatriz Figueiredo – (Brazil) Dreyer & Reinbold Racing – 224.243 mph

Row 8
22 – #78 – Simona De Silvestro (Switzerland) – HVM Racing – 224.228 mph
23 – #7 – Danica Patrick (USA) – Andretti Autosport – 224.217 mph
24 – #36 – Bertrand Baghette (Belgium) – Conquest Racing – 224.189 mph

Row 9
25 – #33 – Bruno Junqueira (Brazil) – FAZZT Race Team – 225.662 mph
26 – #19 – Alex Lloyd (England) – Dale Coyne Racing – 224.783 mph
27 – #36 – Mario Romancini (Brazil) – Conquest Racing – 224.641 mph

Row 10
28 – #43 – john Andretti (USA) – Richard Petty/Andretti Autosport – 224.518 mph
29 – #67 – Sarah Fisher (USA) – Sarah Fisher Racing – 224.434 mph
30 – #14 – Vitor Meira (Brazil) – A.J. Foyt Enterprises – 224.388 mph

Row 11
31 – #5 – Takuma Sato (Japan) – KV Racing Technology – 224.178 mph
32 – #11 – Tony Kanaan (Brazil) – Andretti Autosport – 224.072 mph
33 – #29 – Sebastian Saavedra (Colombia) – Bryan Herta Autosport – 223.634 mph

Demais serviços da Castroneves Racing à Imprensa:
High Resolution Photos: www.diariomotorsport.com.br/castroneves
Helio Castroneves on Twitter: www.twitter.com/h3lio
Contact for PR in Brazil: press@diariomotorsport.com.br

Américo Teixeira Jr. (MTB 18.702)
Phone number in United States (305) 904-1215
Assessor de Imprensa do Piloto Helio Castroneves no Brasil

versão em portugues abaixo
Helio Castroneves’ birthday is today, but the attention is all for the Indy 500

The Brazilian driver turns 35 years today, on this Monday, May 10, but the gift he really wants is on the 30th of May, the day of the biggest espectacule on racing, the INDY 500!

(Sao Paulo, Brazil – Monday, May 10, 2010) Brazilian driver Helio Castroneves of Team Penske Indycar, is turning 25 this Monday. Born in the São Paulo neighborhood of Perdizes on May 10, 1975, he moved with his family to Ribeirão Preto.

As has happened since 2001, Castroneves celebrates his birthday in full preparation for the Indy 500, which will be raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30. The difference this year is that the activities ontrack will start on Sunday, 16, forcing this celebration day to be consumed by work in the backstage.

“Since 2001 is the same thing, I always celebrate my birthday on the climate of the Indy 500. Today, I do not think either party and on gifts. Attention is focused throughout the race and I really want to win this on the 30th because my goal is to win the Indy 500 for the fourth time. Let’s GO!! ” Summed up the driver, who has won the most important event of the calendar in years 2001, 2002 and 2009.

Versão em Portugues

Helio Castroneves aniversaria hoje, mas a atenção é toda para a Indy 500

O piloto paulista completa 35 anos nesta segunda, 10 de maio, mas o presente ele quer mesmo no dia 30, quando da realização da prova mais importante do calendário da Indy Racing League

(São Paulo, Brasil – Segunda-feira, 10 de maio de 2010) O piloto brasileiro Helio Castroneves, do Team Penske de Fórmula Indy, está completando nesta segunda-feira 35 anos. Nascido no bairro paulistano de Perdizes no dia 10 de maio de 1975, mudou-se com a família para Ribeirão Preto.

Como tem acontecido desde 2001, Castroneves comemora seu aniversário em plena preparação para a Indy 500, que será disputada no Indianapolis Motor Speedway no dia 30 de maio. A diferença deste ano é que as atividades de pista só terão início no domingo, 16, de modo que o dia festivo está sendo consumido pelos trabalhos de bastidores.

“Desde 2001 é a mesma coisa, eu sempre comemoro o meu aniversário no clima da Indy 500. Hoje, eu não quero pensar em festa e nem em presentes. A atenção está toda voltada para a prova e quero mesmo ganhar o meu presente no dia 30, pois meu objetivo é vencer a Indy 500 pela quarta vez. E vamos que vamos!”, resumiu o piloto, que já venceu a mais importante prova do calendário em 2001, 2002 e 2009.

Demais serviços da Castroneves Racing à Imprensa:
Fotos em alta resolução: www.diariomotorsport.com.br/castroneves
Helio Castroneves no Twitter: www.twitter.com/h3lio
Contato com a Assessoria de Imprensa no Brasil: press@diariomotorsport.com.br

Jornalista Responsável
Américo Teixeira Jr. (MTB 18.702) – 19 9749-8111
Assessor de Imprensa do Piloto Helio Castroneves no Brasil

Longside a promo IZOD Indycar Series car, Helio was live this morning on Good Morning America announcing the 2010 Indy 500 Pace car and driver.

The “Good Morning America” anchor, Robin Roberts, will drive the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car to lead the field of 33 drivers to the start of the Indianapolis 500 on May 30.

Castroneves, the defending race champion, introduced Roberts as the driver live on “Good Morning America.” The race will be televised live on ABC for the 46th consecutive year.

Stay tuned this weekend on ABC for the ST. Petersburg race: Sunday March 28th at 3:30pm (ET) Live.

As Always you can watch the practices, qualifying AND the race also live on www.IndyCar.com

Here is the Video, enjoy!

Credit: ABC (@gma)

Even missing one of the five races by the Indy Racing League in this street course, the Team Penske driver holds the main records of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
 
(Sao Paulo, Brazil – Tuesday, March 23, 2010) In order to expand the records he has accumulated in St. Petersburg over the past five years, the Brazilian driver Helio Castroneves, will compete next Sunday (March 28) on the second race of the 2010 IZOD Indycar Series Championship in this street circuit.

“St. Petersburg is a difficult track and the wall is always there telling you that you can not make mistakes. There are 14 curves and compared with Sao Paulo, is about 1 mile smaller. The memories are great here, where I have won important victories”, recalled the competitor who starts his 11th season in the Penske team and 13 in Indy.
 
In fact, some of the various track records that Castroneves has solidified in the series are in St. Petersburg. Held for the first time in 2005, the city with approximately 2.7 million people will receive the Indy Racing League for the sixth time. In the previous five, the Brazilian won two of them.

Tune in this Sunday (March 28th) at 3:30pm on ABC.

Credit: Américo Teixeira (@dmotorsport)

Helio Castroneves, did a tour with IndyCarNation of the Team Penske Buses, and ontrack garage.

The tour show a little behind the scenes of the Team structure.

Video was taken on February 24th in Alabama, where they were testing for 2 days.
Enjoy!

Hélio Castroneves, fez um tour com IndyCarNation nos trailers e garagem do Team Penske.

O tour mostra um pouco os bastidores da estrutura da equipe.

O vídeo foi gravado em 24 de fevereiro, no Alabama, onde eles estavam testando por 2 dias.
Esperamos que gostem!

versão em portugues abaixo

Team Penske anounced on Tuesday, 23 at Barber Motorsports Park, the new look that will be used throughout the 2010 season. After several seasons, the change comes with a predominant color black.

See firsthand the new firesuit of Helio Castroneves.

The Brazilian driver will be part of Izod’s Indycar Series open test, on February 24th and 25th, at the track located in the state of Alabama.

UPDATE: New Car picture added below (Feb. 24th)

Versão em Portugues

O Team Penske apresentou nesta terça-feira, 23, no Barber Motorsports Park, o novo visual que será utilizado em toda a temporada 2010. A cor predominante passa ser a preta.

Veja em primeira mão o novo macacão de Helio Castroneves.

O piloto brasileiro fará parte do Open Test da Fórmula Indy, de 24 a 25 de fevereiro, nesta pista norte-americana localizada no estado do Alabama.

UPDATE: Nova foto do carro adicionada abaixo (Fevereiro 24)

Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard talks to the racing star about dancing, driving and red meat.

His enthusiasm for life and his racing triumphs—not to mention a little grooving on the dance floor—have garnered Helio Castroneves the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. The Brazilian-born Coral Gables resident won his first two Indianapolis 500 races in 2001 and 2002, becoming the first driver in 30 years to gain the victory two years in a row. (He’s also the only driver ever to win in his first two attempts.) And last year, Castroneves took home the checkered flag for the third time just weeks after being cleared of tax-evasion charges. This media favorite’s charming openness and captivating smile dazzle audiences at the racetrack just as much as when he was shaking his booty to become the fall 2007 champion of televi- sion’s Dancing With the Stars. And now this energetic fireball is looking forward to a new chapter with a baby on the way.

STEPHANIE SAYFIE AAGAARD: It has been an eventful year for you, with ups, downs, curves and winds—kind of like an Indy race!
HELIO CASTRONEVES: So far my life has been like that,
and it’s not going to slow down either, especially now that I’m building a family. Oh, my God! The corners are going to be sharper and the speed is going to be faster.

It’s so fabulous to see how emotional you are when you win. But are you ever fearful when you get behind the wheel?
The good news is—and this is why I love what I do—when I am behind the wheel, I am in total control. If you ask me to go
on a roller coaster or other things where I don’t have control, that’s my fear. I am like, “Stop—I don’t want to go.” But when I am at the steering wheel, that’s when I am in my comfort zone, my territory. I
know what to do. I think well when I am in a racecar, because I have been doing this my entire life.

Is it hard to drive 55 on a regular highway?
If I’m not late, I have to follow the rules.

Are you more nervous before a race than you were during Dancing With the Stars?
I’m always a little nervous before a race, but with DWTSIwashorrified.Itwasoutsideofmyterritory. I asked Julianne Hough what Plan B was if I forgot the dance, and she said, “There is no Plan B, Helio. Know what to do!” I was freaking out. Maybe since I had only watched the show once or twice before, it was good, because not knowing what to expect made me feel less panic. I was like, Let’s see what’s next, and all of a sudden what’s next became winning the season. Now wherever I go, if it’s a nightclub or a grandma’s party, everyone wants to dance with me. I am like, “I learned a routine, I don’t know what to do anymore.” I am going to carry that for the rest of my life. But hey, if nothing goes right in racing from now on, I can go dance on a cruise ship.

What gave you more of a buzz, winning a race or winning the coveted mirrorball trophy?
I certainly did not expect dancing to become so huge, and wow, I have become more recognized from the dancing than the racing. It was hard, I worked hard and we won. When you have 25 million people watching you every Monday and Tuesday, it’s very difficult to beat that.

How did you know you wanted to be a racecar driver?
I started when I was 10 years old. When I was 11, my dad put me in a state championship in Brazil. I got my first trophy, for fourth place. I still have that trophy. Then it was like, I have to win more trophies. Up until this day, I drive for trophies. I want to win always. When I was 13 or 14, I said to my mom, “I want to be a racecar driver.” I decided to stop eating red meat and drinking sodas, I started training, and I always focused on racing. My
dad, my mom and my sister fully supported me.

You attribute a lot to your family. What makes that bond so close?
My mom—we called her the General—was strict, but in a good way. You need to put limits on your kids. I am going to learn now how to do it. But she always treated us equally. I was not favored because I was racing or my sister because of her dancing or her better scores in school. A family together can beat everything. Today that’s why I say a
big part of me is my family.

Charity is very important to you. Have you always wanted to give back?
I always want to start a foundation that helps the whole world, but unfortunately politics make it so difficult. When it’s the right time, we will do it. Some people just give money, but money is not everything. I used to go to The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and spend time with the kids. They taught me more than I taught them. They could not understand me very well because of my accent, and it’s funny because the kids asked, “Why do you talk like that?” It was really nice. People should experience that once in a while, because sometimes you get lost in materialism, and you have to
thank God for what you have.

What is your biggest thrill?
It’s gonna be my daughter, Mikaella. I am speaking ahead of time. But I am already nervous when I talk about it. It brings tears to my eyes. I can’t wait!

Steph Sez: What is your New Year’s resolution for 2010?
Helio Sez: My resolution? Oh, man, I will try to be a great dad!

source: detnews.com by Angelique Chengelis.

Detroit News reporter helps driving legend accomplish first career failure

Great partnerships are enduring despite ups and downs and the occasional personality conflicts.

They are built on trust and respect and knowing that success can only be achieved if the partnership is nurtured.

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, 34, has enjoyed great successes in his life and has done so with great partners. He couldn’t have won those Indy 500s without team owner Roger Penske, for whom he has driven since 2000, he certainly could not have won the “Dancing with the Stars” title in November 2007, without his professional dancer partner, Julianne Hough, and there’s no way he could have welcomed beautiful, weeks-old daughter, Mikaella, without girlfriend Adriana Henao.

And then there’s his tennis mixed doubles partner: Me.

Castroneves and I, both avid tennis fans, played a spirited singles match a few years ago that I’m pretty sure I easily won. (Editor’s note: Chengelis actually lost, 6-2, 6-1, but we can’t bear to remind her).

So, imagine my surprise not long ago when I received a call from Penske Racing’s Merrill Cain, who mentioned Castroneves would be in Detroit for the auto show this week and wondered if I was up for some tennis.

Me? Up for tennis? What could Castroneves be thinking? He needed to be schooled again on the same court with me? (Editor’s note: Please see first Editor’s note).

Ay, caramba!

Naturally, the answer was, ‘Yes,’ but this time I wanted to play as Castroneves’ teammate in a friendly mixed doubles match. After all, how better to understand a highly trained professional athlete than by teaming with him? You learn how the individual deals with the stresses and challenges of competition, his ability to strategize and how he works with others.

I must admit on Thursday morning to pre-match images of us overpowering our star-struck opponents, of hitting dropshots when needed, and un-hittable serves. Yes, I even admit to predicting we would “dance” away with the victory on Court 1 at the Beverly Hills Club.

Ah, so when did it begin to unravel?

Tough to say. It might have started during warm-ups when Castroneves, after hitting for a while with the club’s head pro, Richard Beijer, of the opposing team, walked back toward the baseline with me and muttered: “He’s really good.”

Me: “Um, Helio, I told you that.”

What I think I left out was just how good. Toy-with-you good. Show-no-mercy good.

Me: “Well, he’s won a men’s national doubles title, maybe a few of ‘em …”

Castroneves: No response.

See, there was a reason for non-full disclosure.

Beijer was teamed with my frequent doubles partner, Heidi Strauss. Like me, Strauss had a potential professional tennis career cut short by jobs and family. (Editor’s note: Oh forget it; you already know).

Among the first things I tell Castroneves about Strauss is that her bread-and-butter shot is her two-handed backhand, particularly crosscourt. It can be vicious. I tell him this. I know I told him!

Castroneves served to start the match. The first point was brilliant. A good, deep serve to Beijer, whose return I poached for a winner.

Seriously, for that brief moment, I’m pretty sure the C and C doubles team was convinced of its impending victory.

Hard to say what happened after that, but I do remember early on Castroneves lapsing into Spanish as he started berating himself while waiting to return serve, and I also remember an audible, “Ay, caramba!” after he missed a shot. I’m also pretty sure I remember watching Strauss rip a few backhands cross-court at Castroneves (I told him!). In lightning quick fashion, we lost, 6-1.

But the Castroneves-Chengelis partnership was as strong as ever! We would prevail, he assured me! Who am I to argue with a multiple Indy 500 winner and “Dancing with the Stars” champion?

Nope, the arguing and bickering would wait until the third set, the one that came after the 6-1 loss in the second set that took approximately 12 minutes.

The big rally

So this is when you find out about your partner. This is when you find out how you can dig deep together. Maybe we could “quickstep” our way to victory, to use a dancing term, and maybe we could overcome being two laps down to win.

Or, maybe not.

After being beaten by another Strauss backhand cross-court (I told him!), he started to call her “Gladiator”. Why? Because she swings with force and determination, and she likes to go for the kill. Gladiator. That one will stick.

Beijer had, throughout the match, looked every bit our version of Roger Federer. Smooth, efficient, deadly. There were a few points that involved Beijer and Castroneves almost exclusively and having taken many lessons from Beijer, I quickly recognized the I’m-toying-with-you look. So did Castroneves, who likened Beijer to a cat.

“He’s playing with the food,” Castroneves said, admiringly, knowing he had done similar things on a race track.

And then, the breakdown started within the C and C team. During a particularly spirited point that featured Beijer and Castroneves trading volleys, the ball came to me. I netted it.

“I do all that work, and you can’t finish the point?!” Castroneves says to me.

“Excuse me?” I reply. “Maybe I should remind you of a point from the first set and refresh your memory!”

We are splintering, but Castroneves, a true champion, wants to find a way to hold this together. His serve, and we decide to go all out. Not sure why it took us two sets to make adjustments, but, hey, at least we tried. The plan — as soon as he served, I was to make a cut across the net. Clearly, we intimidated them with this devastating plan and won!

After losing the next game — a forgotten blur — my serve. Castroneves gives me a quick neck rub to get me loose for serving. Too loose. Brutal serves! His fault!

So much promise and hope at the start of the third set. But virtually the same result, this time, a 6-2 loss.

But as good teammates do, even in defeat, there is appreciation and respect. A high-five and a hug. Time for lunch. While dining, Castroneves showed off baby pictures and posed for photos with admiring female “Dancing with the Stars” fans. Our 1-6, 1-6, 2-6 loss is but a distant memory, as is the Castroneves-Chengelis mixed doubles catastrophe.

And so it goes — some partnerships are not meant to be, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth trying.

source: detnews.com by Angelique Chengelis.

If the saying “To the victor go the spoils” is true, then Helio Castroneves was spoiled rotten for his victory in the 2009 Indianapolis 500.

Castroneves received the spoils of his third “500″ victory – the Herff Jones Champion of Champions Ring and the unveiling of his likeness on the famed Borg-Warner Trophy – in a ceremony Jan. 12 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.

“Where is it?” Castroneves said as he tried to locate his newest likeness on the trophy. “Ohh, here we go. Wow! We can see that the years are passing by. My hair is kind of going backward. I can see that. Isn’t that amazing? Oh my goodness! This is just incredible.”

Surrounded by the cars that A.J. Foyt, Wilbur Shaw and Johnny Rutherford drove to their third “500″ victories, IMS Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Belskus presented Castroneves with his winner’s ring. Event host Bob Jenkins and a crowd of fans counted down the time until Castroneves removed the covering from the trophy to see his face sculpted in sterling silver. Belskus also surprised Castroneves by giving him a basket of baby clothes as a congratulatory gift on the recent birth of his first child, daughter Mikaella.

In addition to the champion’s ring and likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy, Castroneves and Team Penske owner Roger Penske will receive scaled-down replicas of the Borg-Warner Trophy in a ceremony Jan. 13. The “Baby Borg” is traditionally presented by BorgWarner to the winning driver and car owner in Detroit during the North American International Auto Show. Castroneves’ likeness also will be featured on the event ticket for the 2010 “500.”

“I have to work four times harder now,” Castroneves said of his drive for a record-tying fourth “500″ win May 30. “I have the right team. I have great people surrounding me. I guess I know what I need to do. Certainly, it will be tough. It will be difficult, but I have no doubt in my mind that everything is possible, so I’m going to go for it.”

By Jana Strange – Indycar.com
source url: http://www.indycar.com/news/?story_id=15639

versão em portugues abaixo

Helio has been full of joy and smiles since the birth of his first daughter, Mikaella Castroneves, with girlfriend Adriana Henao.
He has been posting pictures (on Twitter) of the new baby since the birth on December 28th 2009. She was born with 7pounds 3ounces, and measuring 19 inches.

Mother and daughter are very healthy, and Helio is still figuring out how to do the diaper pitstop!
Some pictures at: http://twitpic.com/photos/h3lio

Versão em Portugues

Helinho tem estado aos sorrisos e cheio de felicidade desde o nascimento de sua primeira filha, Mikaella Castroneves, com sua namorada Adriana Henao.
Ele tem colocado fotos (em seu Twitter) da nova nenem desde seu nascimento no dia 28 de dezembro de 2009. Ela nasceu com 3,3kg e 48cm de comprimento.

Mãe e filha estão perfeitamente saudáveis, e Helio ainda está tentado fazer o pitstop da fralda!
Algumas fotos no link: http://twitpic.com/photos/h3lio

Mikaella is really close!!!
and here are some pictures of the proud parents-to-be!

Hope you guys enjoy it, and please leave your comments to Helio, Adriana, and Mikaella

A Mikaella está chegando!!!
abaixo confira algumas fotos dos futuros pais!

Esperamos que voces gostem, e por favor, deixem seus comentário para o Helinho, Adriana e a Mikaella.

Photos by Jonathan Harper

Note: This article and Video are in Portuguese, English translation coming soon!

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Helio Castroneves recebe o principal prêmio da imprensa brasileira

O piloto Helio Castroneves foi um dos destaques da noite de gala do automobilismo brasileiro, realizada em São Paulo na última terça-feira, 1º de dezembro. Promovido pela revista Racing e considerado o mais importante prêmio destinado aos pilotos brasileiros em atuação no Brasil e no exterior, seus vencedores são escolhidos pelo voto direto de aproximadamente 70 jornalistas especializados em esporte motor. Helio concorreu na categoria TOP e foi o mais votado, sendo um dos agraciados com o Capacete de Ouro, honraria máxima da noite.

Em razão de compromissos profissionais e pessoais, Helinho não pôde viajar ao Brasil e foi representado na entrega dos prêmios por seu pai, Helio Sênior. Principal incentivador da carreira do piloto, ele ficou muito emocionado com a vitória do filho e pelo vídeo especialmente produzido para a ocasião.

Com cerca de três minutos, o vídeo foi gravado em Miami e, nele, Helinho fez um emocionado agradecimento à família e aos amigos pelo apoio recebido recentemente, relembrou as grandes conquistas da temporada de 2009, festejou o fato de se tornar pai nas próximas semanas e, ao final, dedicou ao troféu a Helio Sênior, a quem definiu como “o meu herói”.

“O público brasileiro é apaixonado por automobilismo e a imprensa é muito exigente, acompanhando atentamente tudo o que fazemos nas pistas. Então, receber esse prêmio é motivo de muita alegria, pois é o reconhecimento do trabalho realizado durante todo este ano que, felizmente, estamos fechando com chave de outro, quer dizer, com Capacete de Ouro”, disse Helinho, brincando com o nome do prêmio, que em 2009 completou 13 anos de existência.

Texto por: Américo Teixeira (www.diariomotorsport.com.br e twitter: @dmotorsport )