Castroneves Has Penske's Support As Tax-Evasion Trial Nears
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Castroneves Thanks Penske Racing For Support
Heading Into Tax-Evasion Trial In March |
IRL driver Helio Castroneves yesterday discussed his impending March 2 tax-evasion trial and said Penske Racing Owner Roger Penske and President Tim Cindric “back me up all the way,” according to Mike Brudenell of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. At a press conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway introducing Will Power as Castroneves’ temporary replacement, Castroneves “thanked Penske Racing for supporting him through his ordeal.” Castroneves said of the charges he is facing, “We will prove they are absolutely wrong and mistaken. This is a very sad situation, but we are well-prepared, and I am more than confident. I didn’t do this. You get to go through life and … this is going to make you stronger and a better person” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/14). Castroneves added Penske “knows what’s going on, (that) it’s not true.” Cindric said that Penske “felt bound by a nine-year relationship with Castroneves not to cut ties before his trial, whatever the defense.” Castroneves is “accused of not reporting more than $5[M] in revenue, but called the situation a misunderstanding stemming from contract language.” Castroneves, who is from Brazil, said, “I’m reading stuff with that type of language, I have no idea what it is. Even if it was Portuguese, it would still be confusing to me.” A trial is expected to last at least three weeks (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 1/14).
STAND BY YOUR MAN: Cindric said, “We aren’t making any commitments other than we are standing behind Helio. If Helio is ready by [the April 5 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg], then the 3 car is his. And then we will determine what to do with Will beyond that. Helio has been with us for nine years and he is still our guy.” SI.com’s Bruce Martin wrote Castroneves, “one of the most colorful drivers in IndyCar Series history,” leaves his car to Power, a driver “who shuns the spotlight and is so quiet off the track, he is barely noticed.” Power “was lost in the shuffle” during yesterday’s press conference (SI.com, 1/13). But in Indianapolis, Curt Cavin writes while Castroneves "claimed innocence" yesterday, he "often looked like the odd man out” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/14).
OPEN SEAT: In Toronto, Dean McNulty reports driver Paul Tracy is in “serious talks with KV Racing Technology [KVRT] about taking over” their IndyCar series entry from Power. KVRT co-Owner Jimmy Vasser said that he is “actively negotiating with Tracy and is seeking American and Canadian corporate support to help make the deal happen.” Vasser: “I definitely think that [Tracy] has a few good years left in him. I know he has some sponsors that he is working on. I just thought it would be a good idea if we worked together” (TORONTO SUN, 1/14).
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