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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.”
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.”
Thanks CNR for not posting that. I was lacking sleep and felt grumpy.
Hi Helio – Am assuming you are back from Brazil to either Canada or US in good health and ready for practice on your weekend race at Edmonton. Sorry that’s a mouth-full! (LOL). Go get them this coming race and win some more points and the race. Keep those smiles coming! Love them… Hugs from So CA.
Post whenever you have time. Love to hear from you. (I don’t use twitter nor trust them. Hear so many negatives about them.) Heard some facebook acct are at risk at this time – so not using it often either. I think your website is safer to post.
Welcome back!!
Looks like you had a good trip to Brazil.
Hope you got to relax and have some fun on your days off.
Have great practices. Go out there and do what you do best!!
Good Luck this weekend!
Olá!!! Espero que o Brasil possa ver o belo trabalho que vc faz no USA, adorei QUANDO O LULA FOI COLOCAR O CAPACETE,,, RSRSRS
Helio,
Sounds like youare going to have an exiting visit in Brazil. Please post some pictures on twitter.
Have a safe trip. Can’t wait until the race this weekend, but it’s the next race we are really looking forward to. We will be at the one in Kentucky and then the next one at Mid-Ohio. We can’t wait. Do you know how to get hot pit passes for the Kentucky race? Last year all they had were cold passes. Tell Kati and Eduardo “Hi”. I love the bike she got for her birthday. Watching you ride it was cute. She’ll have to get a child seat so she can take little Eduardo for a ride. Our kids loved that. Take Care, be safe, have a great race this weekend.
Lots of Love and a BIG HUG from Rhonda
I hope you have a great visit to Brazil Helio (sounds like you will). Post some pics to Twitter if you get a chance.
Can’t wait for next weeekend’s race.
Also read that you went to Brazil to meet with your President. What an honor! Hope you have fun meeting also with family and friends while you are there. Be safe and well. Looking forward to your return back home to US. HUGs from your fan from So CA.
Hi Helio…..Hope you have a safe flight to Brazil and that you have a wonderful visit.Heard you were meeting with someone pretty important there!Hope you get to spend a few days to see old friends and family in your home country..and have fun.
Get back safely in time for Edmonton,I know you are going to have better results there.We are all looking foreward to rooting you on to taking the checkers and another fence climb.
Helio—–have a great visit!! And Congratulations!! Excellent!!
your fan
I’m sorry about the crash in Toronto, but am really glad you were okay. I was also disappointed to see that you didn’t win either of the ESPYs that you were nominated for. As others have said, you definitely deserved them!
Hopefully, you are enjoying your time off between races. Good luck and stay safe in Edmonton! I’ll be rooting for you!!!
Love you, Helio!
Kelli in Las Vegas
Helio,
Sorry that you did not win either award for the ESPY’S. You certainly deserved both of them. We all know that in our hearts you won. Okay, in our hearts you always win. That’s why you have such great fans. Hope you are enjoying some free time to relax before the the next race. Take it easy,
BIG HUG from Rhonda
@helio3indy: I agree. Helio was only one of two drivers who got nominated for something other than best driver.
We know know you’re one of the best Helio.
Why don’t they consider more drivers and their performances and triumphs?
I don’t think the results for the ESPYs awards from fans was accurate because the screen to vote didn’t show all the buttons to click and though I tried many times, I could not vote. Despite the results, you are still our choice for Best Driver and Best Moment categories, Helio. HUGs from your So CA fan.
Looks like the Olympics kinda took over the ESPYS.
Sorry you didn’t win, but it is certainly an honor to be nominated!!!
You’re the Best!!
your fan
Just saw the winners list from the ESPYS and disappointed your name was not next to either of the awards you were nominated for.
Oh well. We’ve got the Speed Performance Awards in the fall. We’ll vote for you like crazy for those.
@Tom: As an Helio fan, I wanted to say thank you for your thoughtful post.
Hi Helio. I am sending you this message because as a Canadian racing Fan, I am embarrassed by the way those “pit area” spectators in Toronto reacted toward you after the incident with Paul. (It was difficult for me to watch the subsequent ESPN interview that took place at your pit stall) Clearly this behavior was completely inappropriate toward you and the team. You have nothing to apologize for. I am certain that the vast majority of fans, including us Canucks, all share this view. I am also very proud of the way that Yourself and Paul handled the interviews that followed. This demonstrates what first class professionals you really are. Those “lay blame” individuals are completely absurd.
Anyway, I hope your team will nail the car set up in Edmonton and You have a great race. I will watch You there. (I live in Alberta) GOOD LUCK!!!!
@PenskeRed3:
Hahaha! I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t see it.
@Kelly…it should be “dessert”..not “desert”..sorry! Fingers not working with brain and eyes!
The dessert looked yummy,just looking at it packed on the pounds to all the places i don’t need it!!
I just got around to watching Wind Tunnel and I have to disagree with Dave Despain’s perspective of the crash between you and Paul. I watched the clip over and over again and all that I can determine is that Dave is being fooled by a classic magician’s trick. You know the one, I’m sure, get your audience to focus on the left hand so they don’t see what the right hand is doing. Someone emailed his show and said to look at your left hand before the crash. I did, and it could appear incriminating. But then I watched the clip several times more and could see Paul’s hands turning his car towards yours also. My verdict remains the same, that it was just one of those things that happens in racing. So Helio, please don’t let anyone’s negative talk get you down. I hope other racing fans will not be as eager to mischaracterize the crash and you as did Dave Despain. I figured Dave would do what he did, which is why I hesitated watching his program, but at least Robin Miller agreed with your and Paul’s comments about what happened on The Speed Report. From the comments other fans have posted it sounds like you’re having some fun. Glad to hear that!
Kelly~
Glad to see you and Paul shook hands and were sporting about the get together in Toronto! You were having a good race up until then– too bad. Helio, you inspired me this week and I won my first outing at a sport car club race in Ohio driving a Mustang! All those years of watching Indycar finally paid off. ha ha! Hope you had fun at the Espys and good luck in Edmonton.
PenskeRed3, did you mean dessert or desert?
Love your pics from today Helio, especially the one of your dessert. Yum.
Can’t wait to see some pics of you from tomorrow night’s ESPY Awards. Hopefully, there will be one during the show of you accepting an award (would prefer two).
Which desert were the photos from, penkered3? Is there any other place the photos can be seen? I signed up for twitter on the net but can’t remember my name or password. I recall trying several names before getting one that wasn’t taken. Now I can’t remember it. I never had time to figure out how twitter works, so I decided to just come here. I feel badly that I’m missing so much. I should get with the times, but I just have too many irons in the fire right now.
kelly~
Helio,you were such a gentleman ,and Paul too after the racing incident in Toronto.Its a shame that the fans didn’t see it your way too but displayed rudeness and ignorance.I hope the Edmonton fans are more respectful! It was a shame that it happened but as you always say..”It is ,What it is!”the points shuffled a little but you’re still in fourth.Hopefully Edmonton will be better for you.its still early and that Championship is still within reach.Go get’em.
I have to say we love the pictures from Twitter,the desert looks wonderful and plenty of fun to be had on those go-kart things!The rain not so much.Glad that Adriana gets to join in the fun too.Hope you have a few days to relax altho the ESPYs are on tap….obviously we pray for a win there too for you.Good luck…have a safe trip.
Always a fan.
We had so much fun watching you at the Toronto Indy. We hope you’ll have a better luck in Edmonton.
Good Luck Helio!
Glad you are o.k. after that little mishap. I am also glad that Paul didn’t come after you like he has to others in the past. He must be maturing finally!
Hey lot’s of athletes get booed all the time. Manny Ramirez for one! No comparison though right? HA HA!
They were just upset their canadian was out of the race.
That was pretty crazy though.
Have a nice break and I will watch you in the next race. Take care.
Denette
I watched you and Paul patting each other on the back on Speed Report today. Hopefully his Edmonton fans will fall in line with the humble graciousness demonstrated by you two professional athletes. Also, I’m glad Adriana was there to support you. I saw her in the background while you and Paul were talking with each other. Judging by her demeanor I’d say she’s got your back whenever you need it. You and she will make a great partnership, if you know what I mean; but that’s none of my business.
Enough of that, let’s talk racing. I’m always amazed by Tim’s strategy for you. You’re running mid-pack and all of sudden as the race begins to close you’re upfront. This happens repeatedly and I’m fascinated by it. Knowing that you and Paul were okay, what saddened me most about the accident is that I didn’t get to see how your strategy on red tires was going to play out. During the race I was wondering if you and Tim hoped for a caution to enable to you to switch to the blacks without losing position. Guess we’ll never know–unless you care to tell us (hehehe), but maybe that’s a secret best saved for use in another race. Godspeed, Helio! You’re still the best!
kelly~
Helio,
Hope you are doing alright. Don’t worry about the crash with Tracy. It was just racing. Best of luck to you next time. Take care.
Anita
Helio
Too bad about the crash. I am glad you are okay. Don’t worry about the boos. It was just racing. You have lots of fans here in the U.S. love you. Enjoy your time off with your friends and family and look toward the next race. I will look forward to cheering you on in the next race. Take care and keep smiling. You are the best.
Here is a big hug. Love you
Diane
Sorry you didn’t win the race in Toronto, i am from Mississauga, just outside of Toronto, i’am such a big fan of yours. will watch you race the next one. stay safe and good luck.
Hi Helio,
Sorry about the crash. I’m just glad that you are okay.
As far as boos go, some of the top athletes in the world have been booed.
That is the fans attitude problem not yours. Keep smiling.
We love you, you won’t have any boos here.
You guys were doing your job out there, trying to win a race.
Stuff happens, and you go on.
Get some rest. Enjoy your time off with your family and friends.
Then get back out there and do what you do best.
A big hug from Dawn (Chicago)
Good luck at the ESPYs!
Oi…
Só p/ te mandar um gggrrraaannndddeee abraço… a corrida ontem foi ótima até que a batida aconteceu… chata a ‘recepção’ dos canadenses quando tu saiu do carro, mas, imagino que logo após já se deram de conta da mancada deles… tudo passa…, e que venha Edmonton, até lá: aproveita para descansar e relaxar, que a vida não é só trabalho… diverta-se e te cuida, sempre, sempre, sempre, dentro e fora das pistas…
Até mais…
Too bad about the crash. Don’t worry about the boos, you have 1000 more people who love you !! I’m sure the Canadian fans were disappointed and took it out on you. They will get over it. Keep your chin up and keep smiling ! You are one of the most loved people I know of.
Helio,
Sorry that you crashed in with Paul Tracey today. I was glad that he said the same thing you said it was an accident. I was not happy with the booing you received from the fans there. That was just rude. Please don’t let that get to you. Look onward to Edmondton, things will go better there.
Take Care, BIG HIG from Rhonda
I was also out of town with my hubby and children + son-in-law and his brother during the weekend but I DVR’ed the race. I was fortunate to see the result of the qual on a laptop brought by my SIL’s brother but heard about what happened during qual on Sunday ABC news prior to the race.
After watching the race I recorded, I agree 100% with what Paige wrote. I am still your #1 fan because of your attitude before, during and after a race. I still trust that you can still up your standings in the series leader board, and win more races. HUGs from So CA.
I didn’t watch the race today (was out with friends), but I rewound it far enough to see the accident with PT and his fans’ reaction (which I found a little rude). You looked upset afterwards.
If it was the PT fans who booed you, don’t let them get you down. It was just racing hard for 2nd.
If it was tangling with PT, don’t let that bother you either. Even he said it was a racing incident.
Y’all were racing hard for the same position and got tangled up.
Was watching “Wind Tunnel” and Roger said you and PT left the track together. Sounds like there are no hard feelings and both of you are alright.
Now it’s time to (as you say) “Turn the page” and go on to Edmonton in two weeks. If you receive anymore boo’s over there, just flash your biggest and brightest smile for all to see and go out there and get another top 5. Show everybody you can come from 70+ points back to contend for Title #1. We all know you can do it.
Have fun this week. Squeeze in a little tennis, play with Tuggy and little Eduardo (two of your biggest (and cuddliest) fans), and have lots of fun @ the ESPYs Wednesday night. Hope you take home at least one, but hopefully, TWO trophies.
P.S. Love, love, LOVE your 2nd quarter “Driver of the Year” trophy. It’s a neat looking one. Is it going somewhere special?
The good news is that you’re still 4th in the championship points. I believe you will narrow that margin soon enough. I hope you will get some good R & R before Edmonton in two weeks.
Hi Helio,
Excellent driving today!!! So sorry that the race was cut short for you. I also didn’t care for the booing that you got, but I understand the fans love for their driver. I know because I love MY driver
On to the next race and victory!!!!!!!!!
Really crash-filled race. Again, I don’t like this track…too dangerous, no speed.
Writer on speed tv wrote something like…if pt hadn’t made that bullish pass on you…I agree…
I remember that pt was loudly booed at the Indy 500 this year, so I guess the Canadians felt they had to make some noise…….for no reason…IMO
Great Try, Helio!!!!!!!!!
Great Racing!!!!!!!!!
your fan
Helio,
Sorry about your bad luck in the race today. There was no booing in this house that was really uncalled for. We know it was just an accident. Even Paul Tracy implied that. Hope you are ok an we know your team will get your car back in great shape. Great job for Ryan and Will for the team. Take care. Take it easy and we will get them next time. Hope you have a good week. We will be thinking of you as always.
Dave and Deb
I haven’t been able to watch the race yet today because I was working, but I’ve already seen it didn’t end as well as we would all like for you. Great job to Ryan and Will though. Hope all is ok with your car and you! xoxo
Hey Helio, nice move on Tracy. He just always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, eh? Still a nice finish for the rest of the Penske guys. Were you having as much trouble with the tires as it seemed? Hope to see you back on the podium next race with a smile on your face. Happy belated birthday to Kati and on to the winner’s circle.
Are you f’ing kidding me!!!
i threw my son’s crayons at the tv….i was so pissed!
as soon as i saw that tracy was behind you, i told my husband that he was going to crash into you.
AND LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED!
it was horrible. but i called it (sorry).
well, sad to see that you’re out, but you kept the great attitude, helio.
see you in two long weeks.
Monica
Helio, Toronto looks like a very tricky race course – please be extra careful today! Know you’ll be on top of your game for the race this afternoon, and as always, I wish you…
GOOD LUCK & GODSPEED!
BE QUICK!
MOST IMPORTANT, STAY SAFE OUT THERE!
Go get em Raching Champion!! I think it’s time for another fence climb in the near future!!
Good luck in qualifications today and the race tomorrow, Helio. I will be watching and cheering for you. Be safe. You are the best.
Love you Helio
Diane from Indy
Best of luck in qualifications today and the race tomorrow.
Be fast, be safe, and enjoy the ride!
Helio, don’t worry about tomorrow. Saw your qualification and you have the speed just couldn’t get around other cars. Work on short pit stops with the crew. You can do it.
Helio, it looks like good weather for the quals – who would have thought that after the storms in Toronto this morning? Go for the Pole!
GOOD LUCK & GODSPEED!
BE QUICK!
MOST IMPORTANT, STAY SAFE OUT THERE!
Helio—–be safe in the Rain!
Looks like the delayed practice will start soon.
Best of luck at Toronto!!!! With you 100%
your fan
Wishing you the best of luck this weekend in Toronto.Hopefully the little side step you took yesterday is out of the way and the highlight of today will be a shot at the pole……..fingers crossed that Team Helio will put #3 on the pole.Toronto is a finicky track so everyone needs to be careful out there.Praying for a good safe race and a better finish for Team Penske…obviously with you being #1.
@Denette..I remember Danny Sullivan and yes I am dating myself!!I have followed racing forever and i seem to remember Danny won a CART Championship in the late 80′s racing for Helio’s boss..Roger Penske.Helio said whilst on DWTS he was “King of the Grandmas”….yeah,I’m one of them too!
Good luck this weekend and, most importantly, stay safe out there. I’ll be watching and rooting for you!!!
Love you, Helio!!!
Kelli from Las Vegas
Good luck this weekend Helio. I know Paul Tracy will be trying his hardest!
Love you much and will be rooting for you big time.
Hey try to talk them into racing at Laguna Seca again! That’s a great place.
How many of you fans would like Laguna Seca again????
Let’s try to get that on the schedule in the coming years. I know it was CART years ago but many of us loved it there. It’s a beautiful place. We saw Danny Sullivan win the championship there.
How many of you remember that??? Just curious of you California fans!!!!!
Good luck this weekend. We will be cheering you on
Debbie & David
Bom Dia Helio, Looking forward to this weekend race. It has been too long since we saw your face on the podium. Paul Tracy is about the only face I do not want to see so put him down hard early on. I liked the way the media protrayed Penske last week as Goliath to Wilsons David. You and Ryan should go out and prove that Goliath won most of his matches. Race hard, stay safe and win this one for the fans. CAC
Have a great weekend Helio, we will all be cheering for you. xoxo
Helio,
Looking forward to the race this weekend. This will be a great race for you. I love the street courses. Have fun and drive safe. BIG HUG from Rhonda
Best of Luck, Helio! I’m looking forward, as always, to the race. I do have my nephew’s birthday party that date but the race should be over in time enough to give me 30 minutes to make a 45 minute drive across town. Guess I will be racing that day too, lol. I’ll have to tell my husband to give me the keys because he doesn’t know how to make our Outback go fast, but I can. He always tells me that when he drives the Outback after I have that the car wants to take off out from underneath him. He recently did some repairs on it and told me I might have to pump the brakes some. He’d been driving it for a week and it was still acting up. I took the car and, although I have no automotive knowledge I do feel my car when I drive it, so I picked up right away what it needed even if I can’t explain it. So I stepped on the gas at three green lights and hit the brakes hard at the next red light each time. By that third light the car was running smoothly. When I told my husband I fixed the car, he asked me how. I told him he’s too gentle and needed to spank that baby. The car has run smoothly ever since and it’s been two months. I guess some women have weird intuitions about odd things. ~smile~
Helio
Good luck in Toronto. Stay safe,drive fast and have fun. Your fans will be cheering you on.
Your fan forever
Cherie
Northern California
Ei camepão! Vai dar td certo, embora na CART seu retrospecto não é dos melhores nesta pista, na Indy Lights você já venceu ai em 1997.
Abração. Go Go #3
Visita nosso blog Helio
Helio – I DVR’ed the race in Toronto since we are going to be out of town that weekend and I don’t have a laptop to watch the qualifying nor the RACE. My prayers and positive vibes are with you during those races. HUGs from a fan from So CA.
Sounds like this weekend will be another good one for you Helio. Good luck north of the border. I’ll be cheering for you in the Lone Star State.
Good luck and be safe this weekend.