Castroneves hints at possible finale
Helio Castroneves sat on a concrete wall as shadows began to cast over pit road at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday. His expression suggested he was unsure of exactly how to feel. If this were to be the final race of the 42-year-old’s 20-year career as a full-time open-wheel driver, he might have allowed himself a more outward display.
If this were simply the end of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season, he could have reconciled himself with a fifth-place finish in the race, fourth in the standings and moved on mentally to how he would try to chase his teammate and first-time series champion Josef Newgarden next year.
But even though Castroneves said he and team owner Roger Penske have not officially undertaken the final talk about whether he will be moved to the team’s new sports car program full-time next season, this felt a lot like goodbye.
And scores of those who enjoy working with or being around the sport’s most ebullient driver did not wish to miss a chance to show how they felt.
“I do have some sort of idea. We’ll see what happens,” he said, when asked about his future.
“The only thing I can say is, sometimes you’ve got to dance according to the music. You know? But at this point, I feel sad that the season is over. I’m not going to deny I love this series. I love open wheel. I love this environment. I’ve done this for my entire life, basically.
“But I really treasure this organization, as well. And at this point, sometimes you’ve gotta balance what you think is best for the future. At this moment I just love this team. I love these guys. I’m on board. Whatever they decide.”
Castroneves was guarded but noted that he’ll be testing an Acura sports car this week at Sebring International Raceway. And as he spoke of his two decades as an open-wheel driver, 17 with Penske in which he won the Indianapolis
500 three times, he drifted into the past tense.
Penske told USA TODAY Sports on Saturday that the team would make a decision on Castroneves’ future in “30 days, max.” He said Sunday that Castroneves would be a “long-term player with us as we go forward.”
Becoming the type of company man that former Penske champion and four-time Indianapolis
500 winner Rick Mears has be- come is something for which Castroneves yearns.
He’s ventured into the auto sales business with Penske. He cherishes the loyalty Penske showed in not divesting himself of bad optics when Castroneves was tried and subsequently acquitted of tax evasion charges in 2009. He feels the company will find a good place for him.
But on this day, Castroneves seemed to be left wondering what it would be like if he was never on this pit wall ending another IndyCar season.
Crewmen wearing the firesuits of his three teammates wandered by to slap shoulders or caress his head. Team president Tim Cindric did the same and when Castroneves grinned and asked, “TC, what are we doing?”, Cindric just grinned back. “You and Roger can do all the talking,” he replied.
“I’ll be driving next year, for sure,” Castroneves said. “I feel that we are looking for something good for me.”
One thing Castroneves does seem certain of is he will continue to contest the Indianapolis 500 in search of a record-tying fourth win in IndyCar’s greatest race. That would mirror the move Penske made with two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and series champ Juan Pablo Montoya, who was replaced in IndyCar this season by Newgarden. Montoya was named to drive one of Penske’s two IMSA programs next season.
“We’ll see more from Castroneves. No question about it,” he said, as he walked away to congratulate Newgarden. “I definitely can’t wait for a start next year.”
But he’ll have to wait longer to see where it takes him.