EDMONTON, Alberta – Helio Castroneves didn’t want to hear any residual boos from Paul Tracy fans this weekend during the Rexall Edmonton Indy. So the Team Penske driver took a proactive approach – wearing an “I (heart) Canada” T-shirt with Tracy’s No. 15 inserted in the maple leaf heart at the circuit.

The reigning Indianapolis 500 champion wasn’t the most popular IndyCar Series driver in Toronto two weeks ago when his car got tangled up with Tracy’s as they competed for second place late in the race on the Exhibition Place course. Sustained boos – something the effervescent Castroneves isn’t used to hearing – rained when he returned to pit lane.

“I will use it most of the weekend,” he said. “I admire the fans. They’re supporting their people and that’s the way it should be.”

Both Tracy and Castroneves said the incident was “one of those racing things.”

“He’s the last person I would want to tangle with,” Castroneves laughed. “It’s unfortunate because it cost me a lot of points in the championship. That’s what people sometimes don’t understand. I was just trying to finish the race.”

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After a fourth place in Watkins Glen, Helio looks ahead to Streets of Toronto, to be broadcasted by ABC on July 12th at 1pm (EST).

Did you know: Helio claimed the third pole position of his career in Toronto in 2000.
Helio comments:
“I’m think it’s great that we’re going back to Toronto. I haven’t competed there since 2001, so it will be nice to get back on the circuit. The track definitely provides a number of challenges for the drivers and I think we’ll be able to put on a fantastic show on Sunday. The Canadian fans are so enthusiastic about racing and it’s always fun to interact with them. I think we should have a solid weekend, as Team Penske has proven that we’re very tough on street circuits.”

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Após o quarto lugar em Watkins Glen, Helio se prepara para “Ruas de Toronto”, será televisionado pela Bandeirantes no dia 12 de julho, as 14:00hs Horário de Brasília.

Voce sabia: Helio conquistou a terceira pole position de sua carreira em Toronto em 2000.
Helio comenta:
“Eu acho ótimo que estamos voltando a Toronto. Eu não corro lá desde 2001, então será muito legal voltar ao circuito. A pista definitivamente demonstra vários desafios para os pilotos e eu creio que poderemos proporcionar um show fantástico. Os fãs canadenses sempre tem muito entusiasmo quando o assunto é corrida, e é sempre divertido interagir com eles. Acho que nosso final de semana tem tudo pra ser muito sólido, já que o Team Penske tem provado estar forte nos circuitos de rua.”

On today’s Independence day Helio took the 14th position for Watkins Glen’s race.
Broadcasted by ABC at 1pm on Sunday (July 5th), this race brings a lot of excitement and starts of a series of road courses ahead.

Helio comments about this track:
“Watkins Glen has a lot of history and is a very challenging, yet fun, track to drive. We captured the pole in three of the last four years, but for various reasons, haven’t been able to find the race results we are capable of achieving. Hopefully, we’ll find the same speed that we’ve had there in the past and combine it with the finish we’ve been looking for.”

Also, everyone, tomorrow (July 5th) is Kati’s Birthday!

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No Feriado de hoje de dia da Independencia nos Estados Unidos, Helio fica com a 14a posição no grid de largada para Watkins Glen.
Televisado pela Band as 2 da tarde (Horário de Braíilia), esta corrida trás muita intensidade e inicia uma série de corridas em circuitos mistos.

Helio comenta sobre a pista:
“Watkins Glen tem muita história e é uma pista com muitos desafios, porém divertida de pilotar. Conseguimos a pole position em tres dos quatro anos anteriores, mas por diversas razões, não conseguimos encontrar os resultados que sabemos que podemos alcançar. Espero que possamos encontrar a velocidade dos anos anteriores e combinar com a posição de chegada que estamos em busca.

Também, pessoal, amanhã (dia 5 de Julho) é aniversário da Kati!

Indy 500 winner, Helio Castroneves, won a hotly-contested vote for the second quarter DRIVER OF THE YEAR 2009.

The Brazilian, who won his third Indy 500 – from the pole – this May, narrowly edged NASCAR’s Tony Stewart, 119-116. It was the closest margin of victory since Stewart lost the overall award in a tie-breaker in 2002.

Castroneves, who drove a Team Penske Racing Dallara-Honda in the IndyCar series backed up the Indy 500 win with a victory at Texas Motor Speedway, in the quarter which ended on June 21rst.

The ebullient driver, also known as Spiderman for his fence climbing antics after his victories, said “I’m really honored with the prestige to be included in such an incredible group of drivers,” when he learned he beat such other racing icons as Stewart who was voted DRIVER OF THE YEAR in 2005 and the ageless Mark Martin.

He continued “honestly it’s an honor to be in an amazing group. Mark Martin is an incredible driver – nothing against Tony Stewart – I want to be like him when I grow up.”

Barry Schmoyer, President of the Driver of the Year Foundation, said “I’m amazed at the coincidence that Tony Stewart was beaten again in such a close vote and that Stewart also is a fence climber after a race win.”

In the voting Castroveneves took eight first-place votes and was on every ballot. Stewart, who drives the #14 Old Spices/Office Depot Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing, was second only three points behind Castroneves. He also garnered eight first-place votes.

The ageless, but 50-year old Mark Martin, who drives for #5 Kellogg’s Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series was third in the voting with 42 points. Kyle Busch also received one first-place ballot. A total of 19 drivers scored points in the first quarter voting.

In its 42nd year, the DRIVER OF THE YEAR title is unique and the oldest award of it’s type. A panel of 17 leading journalists from across the U.S. determines the winner. In quarterly voting, points are awarded on a declining 9, 6, 4,3,2,1 basis. Castroneves will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch to be presented at a later date.

“I want to thank my Penske team. Without them I couldn’t do what I’m doing. And I want to thank my loyal fans.”

THANK YOU GUYS!