Castroneves Black Flagged By U.S Government
Helio Castroneves, who is coming off a great season in which he placed second in the championship standings, is going to face a tough off season. Helio has been indicted for tax evasion. He is being accused of failing to pay taxes over a five year period for a total of over 5 Million dollars. A relative and his attorney are being charged as well.
This is big news seeing that it will most likely affect next season. We have seen how government charges can affect athletes. Kobe Bryant who was charged with rape several years ago played basketball significantly well but dropped up to 15-20 pounds by traveling for court appearnances, not to mention with his future of not only being able to play in the NBA in the balance but the chance of being in prison for years to come as well.
Castroneves is not a basketball player obviously. With that said it won’t be safe for him to go behind the wheel of race car with mental stress that will drain him physically without question. It could affect his well being as well as others on track when traveling over 200 mph. As we know mental and physical strength is something that is a necessity to drive a race car.
Now the topic is what will Roger Penske choose to do with his driver. Granted Castroneves is a great driver, but with the Government hovering over him he won’t be able to perform and the last thing the boss wants is a distraction and having to answer questions day in and day out.
November 6th, 2008 at 17:38
I bet Mr. Penske will have to get another driver in that car next season. The team can’t have the huge distraction hanging over there head for the whole season. It is a shame to Castroneves is a great driver but you don’t mess with the IRS. I am sure all of us Florida residents no what just happened to Wesley Snipes for simaliar charges he is now in prision for awhile. yikes !!!
November 9th, 2008 at 23:09
I will have to agree w/ you Chris…. after watching the Austrailia race…it didnt seem like Helio was on his “roadcourse game”….granted it was for “show” not “points” but he just didnt seem his chipper happy go lucky self…. I hope this gets resolved one way or another and we can go racing for fun again
November 11th, 2008 at 03:38
Heres a few names to bit on, the newly unretired Gil De Ferran. Sure he’s unretired, and sure he has his own ALMS team. But ALMS and Indy Car share companion events
How about a guy named……Sam Hornish. Hornish is struggling in NASCAR and should move back ot the Indy Cars, but recently commented on “winning races in nascar in ’09″. Tough to do when you run 35th every weekend sam.
Other names? The ex-Paul Tracy, or Tomas Scheckter. Scheckter ran well for lil Penske but couldn’t provide him with reliable equipment.
Obviously this is random stuff and in speculation and basically nothing more than a “what if…” is Helio does find himself in a battle. Lets hope Helio the best