Helio Castroneves life and biography

Helio Castroneves is a Brazilian auto racing driver currently competing in the North American IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 14 wins and 28 poles, and has never placed lower than sixth in the standings in a complete season of racing. Prior to IndyCar, Castroneves competed in the CART championship with a highest championship points finish of fourth.

Known for his electric smile and enthusiasm, Hélio Castro Neves has driven and danced his way into the hearts and minds of people around the world. As the only active driver to have earned the distinction of being a three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and the only race car driver ever to become a "Dancing with the Stars" Champion, Castroneves in many ways is in a league of his own.

uring the course of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season, the native of Sao Paulo, Brazil continued to prove that he possessed the speed, the skills and the determination to excel at the top level of racing. Castroneves established himself as a championship contender early in the season at Barber Motorsports Park as he won the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. The following month he earned his fourth career Indianapolis 500 pole position in dominant fashion. Later in the season, he captured the checkered flag at Kentucky and went on to win the pole, lead the most laps and score a victory at Motegi, Japan for back-to-back wins. The 2010 season saw Castroneves earn his 25th career victory, which placed him tied for 12th on the IndyCar all-time wins list. He extended his record streak of winning a race to 11 consecutive seasons as he finished fourth in the final IZOD IndyCar Series standings. Castroneves also holds IZOD IndyCar series records for the most wins from the pole (nine), pole-positions (29), and top-five finishes (82) and he became the series career laps led record holder after the dominating win at Motegi.

In 2007, Castroneves brought his incredible passion for life to a much wider audience when he competed on ABC's hit television show, "Dancing with the Stars." The combination of his charismatic personality, dedicated training and his dancing skills won him the hearts of millions of new fans and the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. He has since parlayed his foray in the entertainment world into working as an occasional correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight." In the fall of 2010, Castroneves was invited back to the set of "Dancing with the Stars" to serve as a judge on the show after being voted as one of the top-10 best dances from the first 10 seasons of "DWTS."

Castroneves' celebrity status has afforded him an array of opportunities worldwide, the highlight of which came in 2004, when he had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of a private audience with Pope John Paul II while visiting Vatican City. His garage boasts a 2009 Acura RL; the 2001 Indianapolis 500 Pace Vehicle Oldsmobile Bravada; a 50th Anniversary Special Edition Chevrolet Corvette, which he received for winning the 2002 Indianapolis 500, and his latest addition a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Indianapolis 500 Pace Car.

In May of 2010, Castroneves also released a popular book about his life and how he's met its challenges. "Victory Road The Ride of My Life" chronicled Castroneves' dramatic rise to stardom and how he handled his high-profile tax case and his triumphant return to racing.

Castroneves enters the 2011 season once again ready to compete for the IZOD IndyCar Series championship for Team Penske and battle for a record-tying fourth Indy 500 victory. Castroneves, girlfriend Adriana Henao and their daughter Mikaella reside in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

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