IMSA – Castroneves confirmed with Penske

Team Penske has confirmed the presence ofHelio Castroneves within its program IMSA where the Captain's team will field two Acura ARX-05s. The three-time Indy 500 winner will thus give up his steering wheel in IndyCar to focus on the American Championship endurance races.

Helio Castroneves will be lined up alongside Juan Pablo Montoya and Dane Cameron next year on one of the two prototypes entered by Team Penske. The Brazilian who finished fourth in the IndyCar Drivers' standings this year will also be present this weekend at the IMSA final in Petit Le Mans (Georgia) alongside simon pagenaud and the Colombian on an Oreca 07.

“I have been very fortunate to be able to achieve so many goals with Team Penske over the last few years, comments Helio Castroneves. I will take on a new challenge by helping Roger (Penske, the owner of the team of the same name), the team and the staff by starting this program with them with Acura. "I'm proud of everything we've accomplished in IndyCar, but I'm now focused on developing the ARX-05 to try to win the 24 Hours of Daytona (Florida) and the IMSA Championship with Acura in 2018."

Helio Castroneves is not completely drawing a line under IndyCar since the Brazilian will be entered in the 102nd edition of the Indianapolis 500.

“This race has a special place in my heart and I really want to try for a fourth victory in my career. We have come close several times in recent years with this team and I dream of being able to make a little more of the history of this event”, added the Brazilian who could equal the record of AJ Foyt, Al Unser Sr and Rick Mears.

Helio Castroneves already has five starts with Team Penske in the American Endurance Championship with two poles, three podiums and a class victory at Petit Le Mans in 2008. He has to date 30 victories and 50 poles in IndyCar, this which makes him the winningest driver for Team Penske in car after 18 seasons in the discipline.