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!

—-
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 )

Take a look at Verizon Droid’s new commercial, featuring Helio. (in Spanish)

Assistam o novo comercial da Verizon Droid com o Helinho. (Em Espanhol)

Hi guys!
you can see on the picture that i was very sleep on the plane coming to miami, hehehe…
I’ll in Miami for the weekend.
About the dancing with the stars show on Monday, i wanted to say thanks all, i had a great time at the show watching everyone, miss the show a lot and heard they may do a all star dwts….how cool that would be!!
take it easy guys!
ciao!

——–
Oi pessoal,
como voces podem ver eu estava com bastante sono nessa foto indo pra Miami, hehe..
Vou ficar em Miami esse final de semana.
Sobre o dancing with the stars, eu gostaria de agradecer a todos, me diverti muito no show assitindo todos, sinto saudades, e ouvi dizer que eles talve façam um all star dwts, seria muito legal ne..
abracos
valeu!

Hello Everyone,
Helio has been traveling around, working out, doing appearances and sponsors events.

He is also preparing for January!

2010 brings a lot of great things! Keep on cheering!

In the mean time, as we promissed here are 2 of the commercials filmed for HCA EAST FLORIDA.

They aired only in East Florida, so this is a chance to all national and international fans to have a look.

We hope you enjoy them!

Here are some pictures from yesterday:

Kati Castroneves, Helio Castroneves, Michael Joseph, and Don Shula

Helio Castroneves and Don Shula

Helio and Don

and a Tease for the upcoming commercial:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Stay tunned for more info on Helio’s off-season and commercials!
Thanks!
Castroneves Racing PR

versão em portugues abaixo
Three-Time Indianapolis 500 winner and Season 5 “Dancing with the Stars” Champion, Helio Castroneves may be back in the ballroom. This season, as part of the “Design a Dance” program, fans of the popular ABC show will get to call the shots as they vote for their favorite past celebrity to dance again.

By selecting each component — dance, song, celebrity, pro dancer, and costume over a six-week voting period the fans are virtually in control of creating the ultimate audience-designed performance.

Castroneves was selected as one of nine celebrity candidates who’ve participated in the show over the previous eight seasons.

Voting is done online in four stages: the dance and song have already been selected, with viewers choosing the Paso Doble and “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. Celebrity voting began (CLICKING HERE TO VOTE) on Tuesday, September 29th at 6:00 pm PST and ends on Tuesday, October 6th and 9:00 a.m. Selection of the professional dancer will be conducted from October 6th - October 13th.

Let’s help Helio win the chance to dance once more, BY CLICKING HERE TO VOTE, it’s easy, and can be done as much as you desire.

Follow Helio on twitter (www.twitter.com/h3lio), as this week he will be asking for votes, and talking to his followers about it.

Thank you, and we count on you once more!

 

Versão em Portugues

O tricampeão das 500 Milhas de Indianápolis e da 5ª Temporada do “Dancing with the Stars”, Helio Castroneves pode estar de volta na pista de dança. Nesta temporada, como parte de um Crie uma Dança, os fãs da série popular ABC poderão votar para a sua celebridade favorita para dançarem novamente.

Ao selecionar cada componente - dança, música, celebridades, dançarina profissional, e fantasia sobre um período de seis semanas de votação, os fãs estarão praticamente no controle da criação de uma sensacional performance criada pela audiencia.

Castroneves foi selecionado como um dos nove celebridades candidatos que já participaram do programa durante as últimas oito temporadas.

A votação é feita em quatro etapas: a dança e a música já foram selecionados, os telespectadores escolher o Paso Doble e “Eye of the Tiger” por Survivor. A Votação para as celebridade favorita começou ( CLIQUE AQUI PARA VOTAR ) nesta Terça-feira, 29 de setembro as 19:00hrs Horário de Brasília e termina na terça-feira 6 de Outubro as 21:00hrs.
A seleção do dançarino profissional será realizado de 6 outubro à 13 outubro.

Vamos ajudar o Helio a ter uma chance de dançar mais uma vez, CLIQUE AQUI PARA VOTAR , é fácil, e pode ser feito quantas vezes voce desejar.

Siga o Helio no Twitter (www.twitter.com/h3lio), que esta semana ele vai estar pedindo votos , e falando aos seus seguidores sobre o assunto.

Obrigado, e contamos com você mais uma vez!

versão em portugues abaixo
Don’t miss the Season premiere of Dancing with The Stars tonight LIVE on ABC at 8pm (EST).

During the show, Helio’s HCA commercial will be aired for the first time to EAST FLORIDA!
The commercial was filmed recently featuring Helio on the famous Yellow Suit and also on a racing fire suit.

We will post the video here on Helio’s website after the commercial is broadcasted on TV live.
Let us know here what you think of the commercial after watching it.

Thank you!

 

Versão em Portugues

Durante o programa, o comercial que Helio gravou para a compania HCA será transmitido pela primeira vez para a FLORIDA!
O comercial foi filmado recentemente aparecendo Helio com um macacão de corrida e também com o famoso terno amarelo que ele dançou sua melhor dança quando participou do programa em 2007.

Após o comercial ser televisioado, colocaremos no site para os que não puderam acompanhar o lançamento.
Deixe seus comentários, dizendo o que achou se você assistir hoje a noite.
Obrigado!

versão em portugues abaixo

This weekend, Castroneves will be looking to become just the second driver to earn two wins in Japan (Dan Wheldon was the first in 2004 & 2005); he earned Team Penske’s first victory at Motegi in 2006 after starting from the pole and leading a race-high 184 laps.

Did You Know?
• In 2006, Helio Castroneves earned Team Penske’s first victory in Japan.
• In addition, Castroneves has started from the pole the past three seasons.

Helio’s Comments:
“I’ve always liked the track at Motegi. It’s a very challenging oval, with two different ends; so it’s difficult to get the set-up right to handle well in both Turns 1&2 and Turns 3&4. We’ve achieved some great results in Japan and I’m hoping for more of the same this year. I’ve started from the pole the past three years and I won in 2006, so we know we can win there. Team Penske has been performing well on the 1.5-mile ovals all year, which gives us a lot of confidence heading into the race.”

- Qualifying: Friday, September 18 - 6 pm ET on VERSUS
- Race: Friday, September 18 - 10:30 pm ET on VERSUS (LIVE)
- Also you can watch both at www.indycar.com


 

Versão em Portugues

Neste final de semana, Helio buscará se tornar o segundo piloto a ganhar duas vezes no Japão; em 2006 ele conquistou a primeira vitória para a Equipe Penske em Motegi, após começar a corrida na pole, e liderando 184 voltas (das 200).

Você sabia?
• Em 2006, Helio Castroneves conquistou a primeira vitória para a equipe Penske no Japão.
• Castroneves largou na pole position nas últimas 3 temporadas.

Comentários de Helio
“Eu sempre gostei da pista de Motegi. É um oval muito desafiador, com duas extremidades diferentes, por isso é difícil conseguir o set-up certo de segurar bem em ambas as curvas 1 e 2 e curvas 3 e 4. Nós conseguimos alguns bons resultados no Japão e eu estou esperando mais do mesmo este ano. Eu larguei na pole nos últimos três anos e ganhei em 2006, por isso sabemos que podemos vencer lá. O Team Penske tem tido um bom desempenho no oval de 1,5 milhas esse ano, o que nos dá muita confiança indo para a corrida. ”

- Tomada de tempos: Sexta-feira, 18 de setembro às 19:00hrs (horário de Brasília) no site www.indycar.com
- Corrida: Sexta-feira, 18 de setembro às 23:50 (horário de Brasília) ao vivo na Bandeirantes
- Você também pode assistir a corrida ao vivo pelo site www.indycar.com

Last week Helio filmed a commercial for HCA Healthcare, the following teaser video is a behind the scenes look of it.

Filmed in different locations, such as a park, an ER room, and also at Helio’s own house in Miami, the final version of the commercial will be featured here once it’s ready to be aired.

We know it’s just a tease, but we want you to see and know what is going on with Helio at this time.
We hope you like it.
Click on the movie below to watch

Na semana passada Helio fez um comercial para HCA Healthcare, e o video a baixo é o making of.

Filmado em diferentes localidades, como um parque, uma sala de Emergencia, e tambem na própria casa de Helio em Miami, a versão final do comercial será anunciada aqui quando estiver pronto para ir ao ar.

Sabemos que é só um pedaço pequeno do comercial, mas gostariamos que voces soubessem o que está acontecendo com o Helio neste momento.
Esperamos que gostem.
Clique no video abaixo para assistir