His switch to stock-car racing would be a big blow to the IndyCar Series just as it’s trying to bolster its popularity after its reunion with the other major U.S. open-wheel racing group, the now-defunct Champ Car World Series.
“I won’t deny that I’m thinking about it,” Castroneves said. “It would be great to one day try the [stock] cars. But at this point I’m focusing on Indy cars and winning the Indianapolis 500 again.”
The ebullient Brazilian, 33, is one of the IndyCar Series’ most popular drivers, and his fame shot even higher this spring after he won the “Dancing with the Stars” television competition. Castroneves won with dancing partner Julianne Hough based on viewers’ votes, and he help crown the show’s latest winners.
IndyCar is making a stepped-up effort to market its drivers, much as NASCAR already does, especially Castroneves and Danica Patrick, who last month became the first woman to win an Indy car race. Castroneves said the renewed interest in the IndyCar Series sparked by the merger and Patrick’s victory is one reason why he might not switch.
However, Castroneves said he’s also intrigued how other open-wheel drivers have migrated to NASCAR and is debating whether such a move is appropriate for him. “It depends on the opportunity,” he said. “It’s all about the timing and I’m not sure if the timing is right.”
Castroneves’ opportunity is better than many other drivers, though. He now drives for Team Penske, whose owner Roger Penske already has a three-car NASCAR Sprint Cup team and could add one more under NASCAR’s rules. And one of Penske’s stock cars is driven by three-time IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr., Castroneves’ former teammate, who switched to NASCAR this season. (Penske’s other Cup drivers are Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman.)
Castroneves said his contract with Team Penske is up for renewal after this season.
Asked if he had talked to Roger Penske about his interest in NASCAR, Castroneves said, “We’re going to talk after Indy.”
If he switched to NASCAR, Castroneves expects that NASCAR fans would embrace him. “I think it would be a good reception,” he said.
| 
|