Biography

While Helio Castroneves ranks as the elder statesman in the Team Penske stable of drivers, he still possesses the speed and skill necessary to win at the highest levels of motorsports and he continues to have the drive and enthusiasm of an eager rookie racer. One of the most successful and popular drivers of his era, Castroneves is best known in racing circles as a three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and one of the winningest drivers in Team Penske history. The 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season marks the 20th year of competition under the Team Penske banner for Castroneves, and he is showing no signs of slowing down.

The fast Brazilian continued his winning ways in 2018 as he and No. 7 Acura ARX-05 Prototype co-driver Ricky Taylor drove to victory in the Acura Sports Car Challenge at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The performance produced the first win for Acura Team Penske and it marked the 17th season in Castroneves’ illustrious career in which he won at least one race. The veteran driver was a key cog in helping Acura Team Penske build a solid foundation for the future while the organization returned to where it began – as a sports car team back in 1966. Castroneves and Taylor finished the season with one win, two podium finishes and one pole position.

Last season’s success added to the impressive accomplishments across Castroneves’ career.  He has earned 32 victories, 54 pole positions, 95 podium finishes and 6,403 laps led in INDYCAR and Sports Car competition. While he is energized and excited about the challenge of racing sports cars, Castroneves also isn’t done with INDYCAR racing just yet. He will back at the hallowed grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May as he pursues the immortality that comes with admittance to the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner’s club, as he looks to join his mentor and Team Penske Hall of Fame driver, Rick Mears.