Castroneves’ life decelerates after ‘Dancing with the Stars’ title

INDIANAPOLIS – Helio Castroneves has been living life at a relatively pedestrian pace since he got back behind the wheel of a race car.\nIn the months following his “Dancing With the Stars” title last November, he called off his engagement, went on a national tour with the other dancers and participated in a seemingly endless stream of interviews and appearances.\nAnd, oh yes, he has also been racing his Team Penske IndyCar.\nNow, the charismatic Brazilian with the big smile and fancy footwork is focused on his true passion – driving.\n“After the ‘Dancing’ and the tour, I couldn’t wait to get back into a race car because it slowed down (my life),” Castroneves told The Associated Press last week in his garage at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Literally, the speed is going faster, but the rest of the outside stuff really slowed down a lot.”\nCastroneves said his appearance on one of America’s most popular television shows served its purpose because it brought the Indy Racing League to a new group of potential fans. He hopes some remember him and watch the Indianapolis 500 on May 25, when he tries to add to his wins in 2001 and 2002.\n“People that have no idea about racing know my name,” he said. “Probably now, they’re going to be tuning into racing. That’s what I want. It obviously helped my name, and I believe it helped this series to be out there. I think it was a win-win situation.”\nNew fans could see Castroneves join an elite group. Only three drivers – Mauri Rose in the 1940s, A.J. Foyt in the 1960s and Al Unser in the 1970s – have won three Indy 500s in a single decade.\nCastroneves has driven in seven Indy 500s, placing in the top three four times and the top 10 six times. He finished third last year, and will start fourth in the 33-car field this year.\n“I do feel I have a great car,” he said. “Inside second row is a fantastic place to start.”\nCastroneves’ popularity off the track did not cost him with die-hard fans, either. MainGate, a company that tallies merchandise sales, said last week that Castroneves’ numbers at tracks were up 68 percent from last year at the same time.\nCastroneves says none of that affects him.\n“Certainly, I got a little more exposure, but I’m still the same,” he said. “I love what I do, I enjoy being here in race cars. This is my world, and that’s what I’ve lived for all my life.”\nCastroneves, whose resume still lacks a series championship, leads the IRL points standings even though he has not won a race this year. He placed fourth in the opener at Homestead, second at St. Petersburg, second at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan and fourth at Kansas Speedway last month.\n“It’s consistency,” he said. “So far, we’ve been in the right place at the right time. I do believe this year, it’s going to take that to win the championship.”\nHe would like to balance his consistency with a few victories.\n“Yes, you do have to win as well,” he said. “Certainly, other teams seem to be a little more aggressive, but we’re right there. We just need to find a little more, and work a little more to get that win.”\nCastroneves did not wait until May to show up in Indianapolis. He and partner Julianne Hough danced between the first and second quarters of an Indiana Pacers game on Nov. 2, nearly a month before he was announced as the season five winner.\n“It was scary at first because people know me here as a race car driver,” he said. “I can’t thank enough the Indianapolis and Indiana area for the support because I received a lot of votes from here. Without those votes, I wouldn’t have been able to win.”