Helio Castroneves, a two-time Indy 500 winner and one of the most colorful drivers in IndyCar Series history, will be replaced on Tuesday when Team Penske announces its driver lineup for 2009.
Castroneves was indicted on income tax evasion in October, and while team owner Roger Penske and president Tim Cindric stood behind their driver, it has become increasingly difficult to have a competitive effort with a driver about to go to trial.
Justin Wilson of England, Will Power of Australia, Ryan Hunter-Reay of the United States and Romain Dumas of France are among the drivers expected to take Castroneves’ place in the No. 3 car. It will mark the first time since 2000, when Castroneves was given that ride after Greg Moore was killed in the 1999 CART season-finale at California Speedway, that the likeable Brazilian driver has not been part of the team.
Castroneves, a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, was indicted last October on federal tax-evasion charges and faces a trial scheduled to start March 2. The Brazilian has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Castroneves’ ride is considered one of the most coveted in motor sports in light of Penske’s strong record in the IndyCar Series, including 14 Indy 500 victories alone. Penske’s other IndyCar driver is Ryan Briscoe.
Canadian Paul Tracy is considered an outside shot. Having driven for Penske in the past, the 40 year old spent much of last season on the sidelines after Gerald Forsythe elected not to move his Champ Car team to the IndyCar. His one and only appearance last season saw Tracy battle from the back of the grid to finish fourth in Edmonton, proving he still has what it takes.
Internally, Penske could turn to Romain Dumas, who piloted his ALMS Porsche prototype entry last year. However, after that programme was mothballed, Dumas has signed on to drive in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series for Penske.
Penske could also turn around and announce he will stick with Castroneves, who has been with the teams since 2000, taking over the seat which was destined for Canadian driver Greg Moore until he was tragically killed in the final race of the 1999 season.
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UPDATE: January 14, 2009 05:43 am
Two-time Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix winner and “Dancing with the Stars” champ Helio Castroneves thanked Penske Racing for its support at Indianapolis Motor Speedway today as the team introduced his replacement for 2009 preseason testing and possibly the year.
With Castroneves facing court in Miami on March 2 on tax-evasion charges, his spot in the No. 3 Dallara/Honda has gone to Australian Will Power, at least for testing, and perhaps subsequent races, depending on the outcome of the trial.
If Castroneves, a two-time Indy 500 champion, beats the charges, Penske Racing might look at running three drivers in the IndyCar Series this season, with the Indy 500, which Castroneves won in 2001 and 2002, a strong likelihood. Aussie Ryan Briscoe is the other current Penske driver.
“Roger (Penske) and Tim (Cindric, president of Penske Racing) back me up all the way; it’s good to have friends like that,” Castroneves said. “I’d like to talk more about my situation, but I’m not able. My life is all about racing, and I feel confident those other things are going to be over. I am innocent of these charges.”
Castroneves said that he hoped to drive during the IndyCar season that begins in April.
Castroneves said his life was about racing and that he was “very confident” of his return to racing.
Castroneves’ trial on charges of conspiracy and tax evasion involving about $5.5 million in income stashed in offshore accounts is scheduled to begin on March 2 in Miami. Tim Cindric, the team president, said that Castroneves needs to spend his time between now and then preparing for his defense rather than driving.
“We need to be sure that we’re ready to go and we’re ready to win as many races as we can,” Cindric said.
Because of all the unknowns about Castroneves’ future, Power’s future is also in doubt. If Castroneves’ case is resolved and he is available to race on April 4, Cindric said, “The No. 3 car is his.”
Power said he has no problem with the uncertainty. Such is the attraction of driving for Penske.
“When I was given this offer,” he said, “I didn’t give it much thought. I just thought it was the best direction for me. I can learn a lot in this team. These guys have got a lot of experience. I think no matter what happens, I’ll come out of it a better driver.”
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