INDIANAPOLIS — Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves said Wednesday he doesn’t plan to leave the IRL’s IndyCar Series for NASCAR any time soon.
Refuting a story in Wednesday’s editions of the Los Angeles Times that speculated on the Brazilian driver following former IRL stars Sam Hornish Jr. and Dario Franchitti to NASCAR as early as the 2009 season, Castroneves said his comments were taken out of context.
“It’s kind of strange to print a statement like that,” said Castroneves, who will start fourth in Sunday’s 92nd running of the Indy 500. “I did not understand much. I found my English is apparently getting worst. (They) definitely took it out of context.”
“They asked me questions about thinking about NASCAR,” the 33-year-old Castroneves said. “Every driver (is) thinking about NASCAR or new challenges, let’s put it this way. But it depends on the opportunity, and my opportunity right now is great being here in IndyCar, especially with the merger.”
Castroneves said he will discuss his future with Penske and team president Tim Cindric after the 500, but added: “That’s the way we always do it with this team. It doesn’t mean I’m going to go anywhere.”
Wheeler retires
CONCORD, N.C. — Humpy Wheeler announced his retirement as president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, ending a 33-year career as one of NASCAR’s top promoters.
Wheeler will step down after Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at the track near Charlotte, N.C. No replacement was selected for the 69-year-old Wheeler, who plans to write a book and host a television show.
