Helio still in a spin over IROC.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves is still hearing friends and fans talk about his amazing save during the season-opening True Value IROC race Feb. 14 at Daytona International Speedway.
Castroneves was running second to NASCAR Winston Cup star Jimmie Johnson. Another car touched Castroneves' car, sending Castroneves into a spin into the infield grass. Castroneves returned to the track at the pit road exit entering Turn 1 at the tail of the field, but he didn't lose the all-important aerodynamic draft from the pack of cars.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves is still hearing friends and fans talk about his amazing save during the season-opening True Value IROC race Feb. 14 at Daytona International Speedway.
Castroneves was running second to NASCAR Winston Cup star Jimmie Johnson. Another car touched Castroneves' car, sending Castroneves into a spin into the infield grass. Castroneves returned to the track at the pit road exit entering Turn 1 at the tail of the field, but he didn't lose the all-important aerodynamic draft from the pack of cars.
The crowd went wild. And many of the veteran stock-car drivers praised Castroneves - in only his second year of IROC - for the save after the race. When the tape of race was broadcast on ESPN on Feb. 16, Castroneves' phone starting ringing.
"Everybody said: 'I saw it. That was a hell of a job,'" Castroneves said. "Even Roger (Penske) came up to me and said, 'Hey, man, people are still talking about IROC and that save you did.' I saw it on the TV yesterday and said, 'Yeah, good job, Helio.'"
Castroneves finished 11th in the race.
