Penske May Replace Castroneves

By Mike Brudenell - Detroit Free Press

Indianapolis, IN. Nov. 29, 2008, Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, celebrates after winning the IndyCar Series' PEK Indy 300 auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, celebrates after winning the IndyCar Series' PEK Indy 300 auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Penske Racing might announce before Christmas whether it will replace two-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves on its IndyCar Series team for 2009.

Castroneves, a two-time Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix winner, is embroiled in a serious legal fight. The Brazilian-born driver will go on trial March 2 in Miami on conspiracy and tax evasion charges involving about $5.5 million in income. Castroneves' sister and manager, Katiucia, and attorney, Alan R. Miller of Birmingham, also are charged in the case.

With the IndyCar Series season set to start on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., on April 5, Penske Racing has been placed in an uneasy situation with testing to commence in February.

This month, a federal judge rejected a request from lawyers for Castroneves and Penske to delay the trial until after the season in October. Under his contract, Castroneves must be available exclusively for all races.

''We are still in the middle of considering the alternatives," said Penske Racing spokesman Bud Denker this week of Castroneves' status. "We're probably two-three weeks away from a decision. We've had drivers calling us on the phone -- it's been pretty lively, as you could expect. There are lots of drivers looking for work."

Castroneves joined Penske in 2000. This year, he teamed with Australian Ryan Briscoe. He finished second to Scott Dixon in the championship.

Castroneves, 33, has been a rock at Penske since his arrival, winning the Indianapolis 500 for team owner and Birmingham businessman Roger Penske in 2001 and 2002. He began his trademark fence climbing celebrations after winning at Belle Isle in 2000, and became a national celebrity by capturing the title on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" in 2007.

''We hoped this (case) could be resolved," Denker said. "But we certainly haven't pulled the trigger on (replacing) him as yet."

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE: Former Penske open-wheel driver Sam Hornish Jr. has the team's full support in his second full season of NASCAR Sprint Cup racing next year.

Hornish, a three-time IndyCar Series champion and winner of the 2006 Indy 500, struggled this season in the No. 77 Dodge Charger in his rookie Cup year, finishing 35th in points and failing to qualify for the final race at Homestead. It was rumored he might even return to IndyCar.

But Denker said Hornish, who will have Mobil 1 and AAA sponsorship on his Dodge in 2009, would play a pivotal part in the Cup campaign with fellow Penske drivers Kurt Busch and David Stremme, who replaces Ryan Newman.

''We're absolutely committed to Sam," Denker said. "We're behind him and are blessed to have sponsorship from Mobil and AAA. We are very committed to Sam and expect him to do well."