HELIO HAPPY TO MAKE ROOM FOR GROWING TROPHY COLLECTION

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.”

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