Helio Castroneves
Helio Castroneves
Hélio Castro-Neves, better known as Hélio Castroneves, is a Brazilian auto racing driver competing in the IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 23 wins and 38 poles, and placed second in the season standings four times, third two times and fourth four times. Prior to IndyCar, Castroneves competed in the CART championship, with a highest championship points finish of fourth; he recorded six wins and seven pole positions in the series...
NationalityBrazilian
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth10 May 1975
CitySao Paulo, Brazil
CountryBrazil
I think it will be important to make sure I'm in the best condition possible for this weekend. At the beginning of the season, I began preparing for the road courses by lifting more weights and trying to improve my conditioning. I've found that the combination of swimming and then running really adds a new dimension to my overall performance as I have built my stamina significantly over the past several months.
I was trying to go as fast as I could. I didn't know I was in the lead. I was this close to the wall.
I don't think we ever touched. At the beginning, I think he was trying to know what I was doing and tried to see what my car was capable of doing. I respect him a lot after this race, not that I didn't respect him before. He definitely drove like a champion.
Even when I was in the lead, I was getting too close to the wall, trying to make up time. I drove like I stole it.
It was a bad move on Ryan's part, you know. He had a great car, he was fast. Both of us were fast. Danica was trying -- she noticed that we were really fast and she was trying to give us a way. I don't know what the heck he was thinking. He just decided to pass everybody in one corner and he ended up taking everybody out. It's just ridiculous. He's a good driver. He's fast, but there was definitely no patience at all.
I was just trying to get the side draft. We were trying to get so slow. I wasn't sure if Sam was trying to pass or push. I didn't know which way he was going. I really thought the finish line was ahead of me. I was thinking, 'Look! It's right up there!' And they were telling me on the radio that the race was over.
I was just trying to follow Dan but my car kept moving up. Then I saw Sam coming and that put me side by side. If this was like NASCAR and we had bumpers, I would have won. I'm kind of sad to be second but then again I'm kind of happy to be second. I have mixed feelings.
I tell you, if we would be like NASCAR - have bumpers - for sure I would have won the race. But this is not NASCAR.
We were very close many times. I don't think there were a couple of times that a hair could have even be between the wheel and my wheel. I don't think we ever touched. I tell you, I respect him a lot after this race. Not that I didn't respect him before, but he definitely drove like a champion.
People might see an opportunity, but I hope people are more patient a little bit, ... This is the last road course, but there is nothing I can do. It's out of my control.
Let me show that I have that (talent).
We had some trouble with the engine electronics this afternoon. I still think we're in good shape.
You have to be smart. He went from hero to zero, getting the pole position and doing what he did.
I don't think I would be a good actor! People enjoyed 'Dancing With the Stars' because I was myself, and every time they told me to say something, I would say my own words, so I don't think I could follow a script well!