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. On our Haute 100 Miami list is Helio Castroneves, the racing star who is constantly making headlines with his dedication to speed.
Helio Castroneves
Category: Athletes
Company: Penske
Industry: IndyCar 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, Castroneves 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: Castroneves, who is known as one of the greatest stars in the motorsport realm, is the latest driver to be included in this year’s Armor All Gold Coast 600 from Oct. 22-24 in Surfers Paradise, Queensland. Castroneves is a three-time Indy 500 winner IZOD IndyCar Series star; he will share the spotlight and co-drive with Tim Slade in the Wilson Security entry.
The driver, who just recently entered the competition, made the Indy 500 a race including the last four winners and five of the top six drivers. Castroneves’ teammates, Will Power and Ryan Briscoe, will also be racing at part of the Team Penske organization.
Castroneves will also grace the Texas Motor Speedway’s 2011 event; the race is unique in that it has a two-race format, making the course somewhat difficult. IZOD IndyCar Series also released plans for a new chassis that Castroneves spoke about in the Chicago Tribune; he will start driving the car in 2012.
News
August 18, 2010Haute 100 Los Angeles Update: Michael Milken
