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Helio Castroneves
# 3
Team Penske
Biography
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Helio Castroneves became the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 two years in a row since Al Unser won in 1970 and 1971, and only the fifth driver in Indianapolis 500 history to win in consecutive appearances. At the age of 27, Castroneves became the youngest driver to win the race twice and the only driver ever to win in his first two attempts.
His trademark fence climb after each win has set the standard for post-race victory celebrations in all forms of motorsports. His charm and passion for the sport make Castroneves a driver that most everyone enjoys being around.
As once described by ESPN: The Magazine, "In a sport demanding a razor-edge precision and laser-beam focus, Helio Castroneves somehow remains a blithe spirit, charmingly Brazilian, engagingly gregarious and so laugh-out-loud funny he could pass for Roberto Benigni's kid brother."
A former "Dancing with the Stars" champion, he has been a correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight."
Content Provided by www.indycar.com.
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Career Stats |
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| Year | | | | Notes | |
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| 2008 | | | |
- Finished second in IndyCar Series standings for Team Penske.
- Won at Infineon and Chicagoland, where he set series record for driver to start from farthests back (28th) to win.
- Recorded series-record eight runner-up finishes, and finished in the top five in 15 races.
- Extended series-record streak of consecutive seasons with a pole start to seven at Nashville. Won three poles overall, including career 25th at Mid-Ohio.
- Infineon victory set series record for consecutive seasons with a victory (eight).
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| 2007 | | | |
- Finished sixth in IndyCar Series standings for Team Penske with victory at St. Petersburg.
- Recorded six top-fives and 11 top-10 finishes.
- Won pole for the 91st Indianapolis 500.
- Set IndyCar Series record with seven poles (St. Petersburg, Motegi, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio and Belle Isle).
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| 2006 | | | |
- Finished third in IndyCar Series standings for Team Penske with four victories and five earned pole positions.
- Won at St. Petersburg, Motegi, Texas and Michigan.
- Recorded nine top-five and 12 top-10 finishes.
- Won consecutive pole positions at Milwaukee, Michigan and Kentucky and earned pole positions at Watkins Glen and Richmond based on practice speed.
- Also started on pole at Motegi, when lineup was set by points.
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