Pictures
Videos
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!
Helio (Estoy muy orgullosa de ti y de tu carrera)! Proud of you and happy that you were aquitted from the Tax Evasion charges as i was praying for you! Cogradulations on your 3rd Indy 500 win!!!! : )… Well deserved forever your fan Nivia Rivera XOXOXOX
Sad to hear you qualified 14th Helio. Don’t let it bother you. You CAN make it to the front. I’m sure Rick and Tim have something up their sleeves to help you get there.
I see a good day for you tomorrow.
Good luck and stay safe!!!
(((hugs)))
Good luck tomorrow Helio…and congratulations on your newest award. You rock, buddy!
Sorry quals didn’t go your way today.
Shake it off, things will be better tomorrow.
I know you will do your best to move up from 14th
to the front of the pack. We will be rooting for
you no matter what your position.
Helio, you are our champion. You are still in the hunt. Go get em!
Good luck, be fast, and more importantly be safe.
Happy 4th of July to you and your family. Good luck in qualifing today. Tomorrow go fast,stay safe and have fun. Your fans will be cheering you on and praying for you
Your fan forever.
Cherie
Happy 4th of July to the Castroneves and Assola families.
Will be watching qualifying today (IndyCar.com)and the race tomorrow (ABC). Enjoy that fast and safe racing and WIN for all of us. I’ll be praying for a winning race for you and Ryan, AND especially for you Helio. HUGs from all your faithful fans.
l will also be watching part of the Grand Am race today )SPEED)expecially Team Penske: Timo and Romain in #12 car.
GO TEAM PENSKE!!!
Oi!!!
Parabéns!!! Nunca é demais te dar os parabéns, e sempre há motivos p/ isso!!!
Com certeza, serão teus os outros ‘2 quarters driver of the year award’ que faltam!!!
Muita, muita, muita sorte e coisas boas p/ ti em Watkins Glen!!! É uma região linda, pelo que vi a respeito…
Vai tranquilo e com fé, que vai dar tudo certo!!! Pole e mais uma vitória, vai que é tua Hélio…!!!
Beijo carinhoso, até mais…
Happy 4th of July.
Watchign timing and scoring of practice. Keep digging Helio. Hopefully, Watkin’s Glen will finally not bite you like it has in the past.
Good luck and be safe today and tomorrow.
Happy 4th of July. Be safe out there tomorrow!
Happy 4th of July!
Hope to see you take the pole and the win this weekend.
Good Luck Helio! Be fast, be safe, and enjoy the ride!
Helio, Congratulations on your well deserved award - should be Driver of the Year, though! And you are to all your fans!
Happy Fourth of July to you and the entire Castroneves family! Quals should be exciting today - Go for the Pole, Helio, and as always …..
GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED!
BE QUICK!
MOST IMPORTANT, STAY SAFE OUT THERE!
@Castroneves Racing PR: No need to correct stuff like that. The different language is part of what makes people from other countries special!! Just having a joke with you guys.
Besides, I misspelled Portuguese in my post. 
I won’t be able to watch the race on Sunday as I will be in the office all day so best of luck!! As I always say…..Go get em Racing Champion!! va recebe-os correndo campeao
Helio,
Congratulations!!!!! It may sound corny, but YOU will always be my driver of the year!!!
Good luck this weekend. (I’m ready for some road courses)
As always,
DRIVE FAST, BE CAREFUL AND HAVE FUN!!!
Yep…..what a guy…..YEAH BABY!!!!!
Congrats!
Take the Checkered at The Glen. YES!!!!!
your fan
A well deserved award, for a skillful driver and gracious winner.
You are simply the best! Congratulations Helio!
Congratulations Helio!!! What a terrific award for a terrific driver.
Good luck this weekend at Watkins Glen!
@Chuck in Atlanta: Thanks once again, Chuck! It has been corrected.
Helio
Congratulations you truly deserve the award. You are the best. Good luck this weekend go fast,stay safe and have fun. oxoxox
Your fan forever
Cherie
Northern California
Congratulations on your award!!! We all know what a great driver you are already. You’re the best!!! We love you, Helio!
Good luck and stay safe this weekend.
Kelli
Las Vegas, NV
Should be Helio “WINS” That’s okay. I’m sure your English is better than my Portugese!!
Obrigado.
CONGRATULATIONS Helio! You are one amazing race car driver. We love you. HUGs from
Ann in SO CA
Congratulations, Helio!!! You earned it.
Parabéns, mineirinho! Corra muito em Watkins e vamos atrás do título!
Great job, congratulations. We all love you! xoxo
Congratulations Helio!!!
Beating Tony is a big deal. He’s kicking butt in Cup right now.
O Twitter funciona… Vc precisa usar mais…
Parabéns por mais esta conquista.
Juliana
Vai lá Helinho!!!
Vamos fazer a pole e vencer desta vez homem aranha!