Haute 100 Miami Update: Helio Castroneves

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets—Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These people continue to make moves, so rather than waiting for the next Haute 100 issue to come out, we thought we’d provide you with regular updates on those Haute 100 members who are making headlines. Check back daily for more info on the most powerful people in your city. Today, we are happy to honor Haute Living cover subject Helio Castroneves, who is on target to capture his fourth Indy 500 flag next Sunday.

HELIO CASTRONEVES
CATEGORY: Athletes
COMPANY: Penske
INDUSTRY: Formula 1 Racing

WHAT MADE HIM HAUTE: Castroneves’ captivating personality and thousand-watt smile (not to mention his paso doble) won him legions of fans and victory in the 2007 season of ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars. The Coral Gables resident graced the cover of Haute Living Miami in the summer of 2009, just a few months after he was acquitted on tax-evasion charges. Immediately following the trial, Helio boarded the Penske team jet to California, where he finished seventh in the Long Beach Grand Prix after leading the race for several laps. This was an extraordinary feat for a man who had not trained for nearly seven months. But he soon topped that by winning the pole position at Indianapolis and then the 500 itself—the Golden Grail, motor racing’s biggest and most celebrated event. It wasn’t his first time in the winner’s circle; he also roared across the finish line in first place back-to-back in 2001 and 2002.

WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE NOW: This weekend, Castroneves roared around the track at the Indy 500 Pole Day Shootout, setting the fastest time recorded since the speedway opened for practice the week before, according to Sports Illustrated.  The magazine reports that “it was Castroneves’ fourth Indianapolis 500 Pole, tying him with A.J. Foyt and Rex Mays. It was the 16th Indy 500 pole for Penske Racing but, most importantly, it puts Castroneves one step closer at becoming the fourth driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times in his career.” It earned Castroneves the No. 1 pit stall for next Sunday’s Indy 500. Best of luck to Castroneves during next week’s race. We’re rooting for Miami’s hometown hero.