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Jury Decision Has Castroneves Dancing On Air

Long Beach, Calif. – After a six-month absence from racing, Helio Castroneves made a welcome return to IndyCar racing at Long Beach this weekend, one day after a Miami jury acquitted him of tax evasion charges. The popular Brazilian driver was relieved and thrilled with the judicial outcome, knowing he could once again have control of his life.

Castroneves jetted to Long Beach Friday evening and strapped himself into the cockpit of his familiar No. 3 Team Penske car Saturday morning for the second round of IndyCar Series practice. IndyCar officials allowed him to participate in both practice sessions and the popular driver showed no evidence of rust as he clocked the seventh fastest time.

Trailed by hordes of reporters and photographers along with adoring fans throughout the early part of the day, Castroneves, car owner Roger Penske and Team Penske president Tim Cindric greeted an overflow crowd of reporters in a mid-day press conference.

Opening the session, Penske said, “I think we won one of the biggest races that we’ve ever had, to get Helio back in this car. I just have to say that I’m proud to see him walk out and get into the car. It’s amazing what happens in your life, and I am sure Helio wants to close the chapter in this book.”

Said Castroneves with sincerity, “It feels like I just woke up from a nightmare. (Crying) I’m sorry everybody, as I have such a mix of feelings, obviously. Everybody knows I’m a pretty emotional guy. And to go through this with my family, it was very difficult. Not only the family but the fans were just amazing. So many people sent prayers through Facebook, through the Internet and my website. I never lost faith. Sometimes I questioned it a little bit, but those prayers kept me really strong and focused.”

Over and over, Castroneves reflected on his weeks of travail and said words couldn’t describe how relieved he is to have the trial concluded and to be back racing again. When he learned that Team Penske was taking an extra car to Long Beach, it made him believe the trial would have a satisfactory outcome.

Cindric said he advised the media yesterday that their driver would be ready to race Saturday and race he did. “Helio asked me, as we started up the engine, ‘Is this a dream?’ I said, “No, it’s reality and there are a lot of people watching, so don’t stall it.”

Castroneves, a fitness buff, admitted that it was difficult to maintain his workout routine due to the nonstop series of meetings with his attorneys and others, but he did run as often as he could.

He also indicated that mornings were the most difficult for him, as the court case was on his mind as soon as he awakened. As the days accumulated, he became more confident that the case would work out in his favor. But his tension mounted when the jury reached a verdict on his attorney but not on him and his sister.

Returning to the race car was the best medicine he could be prescribed. “I never felt so much comfortable being here in my entire life,” the colorful driver said. “I was early getting to the car, as I usually wait until the last minute, but this time I just wanted to be in the car. The first few laps I was smiling through my helmet, and I feel like I want to hug everybody today.”

When Penske was asked if he had ever faced a similar situation, he said, “No, not really unless you go back to 1981 when we won the Indianapolis 500 and the next day they said we didn’t.” Weeks later the case was resolved in Penske’s favor.

Castroneves confirmed that he talked with Will Power, his substitute, and that the latter accepted his reduced roll well. “He said to me this morning, ‘Hey, man, the car’s ready for you and it is fast.’ You can’t ask for a better person to come up and say that.”

Penske confirmed that Power will race a third team car at Indianapolis and his talent can’t be understated. “Will has proved he’s fast and he’s a great team player working with Helio and his crew.” Power will race for Penske this weekend but not at the upcoming oval race at the Kansas Speedway.

Castroneves closed by saying the best way for him to heal is to race, saying he’s a different person when he dons his helmet. “I’m glad to be back to my normal life, and from now on, it’s just going to be pedal to the metal.”

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