BIRTH DATE: May 10, 1975	HEIGHT: 5' 8"
BIRTH PLACE: Sao Paolo, Brazil	WEIGHT: 147 lbs.
RESIDENCE: Coral Gables, FL	PRIMARY SPONSOR: Team Penske
CAR: #03 Dallara/Honda	RACE ENGINEER: Ron Ruzewski

When ESPN The Magazine named Helio Castroneves the "Next Hottest Racecar Driver" in the 2000 edition of its annual year-end "Next" issue, no one realized just how "hot" he would become. Over the course of his 13-year career in major open-wheel racing, Castroneves has captured 34 poles, finished in the top-five 88 times and brought home 22 victories, including wins in the 2001, 2002 and 2009 Indianapolis 500-mile races.

The 2009 season brought Castroneves continued success, as he won two races, earned two poles and he continued his streak of winning in each of his 10 seasons with Team Penske. He is the current IndyCar Series all-time record holder in wins from the pole (eight), pole positions (27), and top-five finishes (73).

A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Castroneves has always seemed to shine during the month of May in Indianapolis and that was certainly the case in 2009. After missing the first race of the season while he dealt with tax issues, Castroneves returned to the track behind the wheel of the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda in April. He then won his third Indy 500 pole position in May and followed it up by winning the team Pit Stop Competition and his third Indianapolis 500 victory for Team Penske's record 15th win at the Brickyard.

There was also big news off the track in 2009 for Castroneves as he and his girlfriend, Adriana Henao, welcomed a baby girl — Mikaella — in December.

Along with the big events in May and December, Castroneves won the race at Texas Motor Speedway and posted seven top-five and 10 top-ten finishes while he finished fourth in the series championship for Team Penske.

Castroneves is known for his signature victory celebration of climbing the fence after taking the checkered flag. His witty attitude and bright smile coupled with his unpredictable outbursts of unbridled enthusiasm make him one of the shining stars in all of motorsports and have landed him on the pages of People, Newsweek, TV Guide, Esquire and Maxim.

In 2007, Castroneves brought his incredible passion for life to a much wider audience when he competed on ABC's hit television show “Dancing with the Stars.” A combination of his charismatic personality, intense training and dancing skills won him the hearts of millions of new fans and the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. He has since parlayed his stay in the entertainment world into working as a correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight."

Castroneves' celebrity status has afforded him an array of opportunities worldwide, the highlight of which came in 2004, when he had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of a private audience with Pope John Paul II while visiting Vatican City. His garage boasts a 2006 Acura RL; a 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo; the 2001 Indianapolis 500 Pace Vehicle Oldsmobile Bravada; and a 50th Anniversary Special Edition Chevrolet Corvette which he received for winning the 2002 Indianapolis 500.

Castroneves enters the 2010 season ready to compete for the IndyCar Series championship for Team Penske and battle for a record-tying fourth Indy 500 victory. Castroneves, Henao and baby Mikaella live in Atlanta, Ga.