This is an update to:
Judge Turns Down Castroneves Request To Postpone The Proceedings
The scheduling of Indy Racing League driver Helio Castroneves’ federal tax evasion trial for March 2 does not necessarily mean the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner will be released by Penske Racing, team president Tim Cindric said. Cindric added that the team continues to “try and get smarter every day” before deciding whether to sever ties with the popular and charismatic Brazilian, considering the possible negative reflection on the organization.
“He’s been indicted. He hasn’t been found guilty of anything,” Cindric said. “Sometimes people get ahead of themselves. You have to be careful that way.”
With the IndyCar season set to begin April 5 at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Penske filed an affidavit in U.S. District court on Nov. 10 stating he “could likely not keep Castroneves should there be a March 2009 trial.” Penske seemed to reiterate that last week before the request for a November trial was denied. But Cindric said, “(Owner) Roger (Penske) didn’t say that anything was definite. He just said that it would be much more difficult at that point in time, which obviously it is.”
Helio Castroneves had hoped his trial on federal tax evasion charges would be delayed until after the 2009 IndyCar Series season so he could compete without distraction, but that won’t be the case.
Castroneves’ trial in Miami will begin March 2, just four weeks before the season opener in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The 33-year-old is free on $10 million bail.
The famed Brazilian driver was indicted on charges of conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion for purportedly failing to report to the IRS about $5.5 million in income between 1999 and 2004. Each count carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.
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