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Helio Happy To Make Room For Growing Trophy Collection

INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007 – If he reaches his goal next May,
Helio Castroneves will need a new mantle at home to display his growing
collection of trophies.

Castroneves visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Dec. 11 to show
off the Mirror Ball Trophy that he won with dance partner Julianne Hough
for triumphing Nov. 27 in the hit ABC show “Dancing with the Stars.” He
posed with the Mirror Ball and the Borg-Warner Trophy that honors
winners of the Indianapolis 500. Castroneves’ face is on that famed
trophy twice, for his victories in 2001 and 2002.

“The (Mirror Ball) trophy is great,” Castroneves said. “I never thought
I would have a mirror ball in my house, but now I do. When I look to
that trophy, it means I can do it if I put my heart and soul,
determination, I can do it. That for me is going to be huge.”

Adding the big Mirror Ball trophy to his collection has been nice, but
Castroneves hopes to add a smaller trophy to his expanding collection-a
third Baby Borg, the replica trophy that is given to the winner of the
Indianapolis 500 each year.

“In spirit, the Baby Borg is still bigger,” Castroneves said. “But in
size, yes, (the Mirror Ball is) a little bigger, but nothing is going to
compare with Indy.”

Throughout the competition, Castroneves received support from many of
his fellow racers, including his new Penske Racing teammate Ryan Briscoe
and NASCAR stars Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin. Throughout
the contest, Castroneves gained new followers and received strong
support from his race fans.

“I could not believe how many people were supporting me and how many
fans I had, and that for me was very special,” Castroneves said. “They
made me work a little harder than I was working, and I do believe that
their votes definitely paid off to bring me the Mirror Ball trophy.”

Castroneves hopes to welcome several of his “Dancing” celebrity co-stars
to the 92nd Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25, 2008, including Dallas
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, entertainers Wayne Newton and Marie Osmond,
champion boxer Floyd Mayweather and actress Jane Seymour.

The recent test at Homestead-Miami Speedway was the first time
Castroneves has been in an IndyCar Series car since his dancing success.
It whetted his appetite for the 2008 IndyCar Series season, including
the month of May in Indianapolis.

“I can’t wait to come back and to do the championship,” Castroneves
said. “I really feel that next year we have a great team. I see good
things for 2008.”

***

2008 IMS tickets: Tickets for all three world-class events in 2008 at
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the 92nd Indianapolis 500, 15th
Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP –
are on sale.

Fans have three easy methods to buy tickets: Online at
www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time; on the phone by calling
(800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally
between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; or visiting the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office on the first floor of the IMS
Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis from 8
a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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