Hélio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈɛlju ˈkastɾu ˈnɛvis]; born Hélio Alves de Castro Neves; 10 May 1975) is a Brazilian auto racing driver. He competes part-time in the IndyCar Series, driving the No. 06 Dallara-Honda for Meyer Shank Racing. He is one of four drivers to have won the Indianapolis 500 four times: in 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2021, and was runner-up in the IndyCar Series drivers' championship in 2002, 2008, 2013, and 2014. Castroneves also competes in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. He is a three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona, consecutively in 2021 with Wayne Taylor Racing and 2022 and 2023 with Meyer Shank, in addition to the overall 2020 IMSA championship with Team Penske.
| Hélio Castroneves | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Castroneves in 2018 | |||||||
| Nationality | Brazilian | ||||||
| Born | Hélio Alves de Castro Neves 10 May 1975 São Paulo, Brazil | ||||||
| IndyCar Series career | |||||||
| 312 races run over 23 years | |||||||
| Team(s) | No. 06 (Meyer Shank Racing) | ||||||
| 2022 position | 18th | ||||||
| Best finish | 2nd (2002, 2008, 2013, 2014) | ||||||
| First race | 2001 Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200 (Phoenix) | ||||||
| Last race | 2023 Grand Prix of Monterey (Laguna Seca) | ||||||
| First win | 2001 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
| Last win | 2021 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
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| Champ Car career | |||||||
| 79 races run over 4 years | |||||||
| Years active | 1998–2001 | ||||||
| Team(s) | Bettenhausen Racing Hogan Racing Team Penske | ||||||
| Best finish | 4th (2001) | ||||||
| First race | 1998 Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami (Homestead) | ||||||
| Last race | 2001 Marlboro 500 (Fontana) | ||||||
| First win | 2000 Tenneco Automotive Grand Prix of Detroit (Belle Isle) | ||||||
| Last win | 2001 Miller Lite 200 (Mid-Ohio) | ||||||
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| Previous series | |||||||
| 1993–1994 1995 1996–1997 | Formula 3 Sudamericana British Formula Three Championship Indy Lights | ||||||
| Championship titles | |||||||
| 2001, 2002, 2009, 2021 2001 2020 2021, 2022, 2023 | Indianapolis 500 Winner Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (DPi) 24 Hours of Daytona Overall Winner | ||||||
Castroneves began competitive go-karting at age 10, before progressing to car racing, in the Formula Chevrolet Brazil, Formula 3 Sudamericana, the British Formula Three Championship, and Indy Lights. He entered Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) in 1998 with Bettenhausen Racing and with Hogan Racing in 1999, achieving one second place each with both teams. Castroneves moved to Team Penske in place of Greg Moore for 2000 and 2001, winning three races in both years.
He debuted in the Indy Racing League (IRL) in 2001, competing in two races for Penske and winning the Indianapolis 500. Castroneves drove full time in the IRL from 2002, winning the Indy 500 for a second straight year and finishing runner-up to Sam Hornish Jr. in the championship. He finished third in 2003 and 2006 and was runner-up to Scott Dixon in 2008. During the 2009 season, he won the Indianapolis 500 for the third time, and was fourth three times over the next four seasons, before coming second to Dixon in 2013, and his Penske teammate Will Power in 2014. Castroneves achieved one further series win in 2017 before leaving full-time IndyCar racing to make his IMSA SportsCar Championship debut with Penske at the 2017 Petit Le Mans, paired with Ricky Taylor. He won one race and finished seventh in the 2018 Prototype standings and improved to third with five podiums in 2019. In 2020, he would win three races in a row and his first auto racing title.
One of the most popular drivers in IndyCar, his celebration of climbing the fencing beside the track after a victory, would earn him the nickname "Spider-Man". Castroneves has represented IndyCar in the International Race of Champions series, the Race of Champions event, and the Superstar Racing Experience. Among other media appearances, Castroneves won the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars with professional dancer Julianne Hough.