But just weeks before the May 24 Indy 500 race in which he nabbed his third victory, a jury acquitted Castroneves of most of the charges (the final charge was dismissed just two days before the race), clearing the way for him to enjoy his third win (making him the first foreign-born three-time Indy 500 champ) and his multimillion dollar paycheck.
Castroneves took a break from his Indy celebrations to talk to AOL TV about his big wins (on the race track and the 'DWtS' stage), shakin' his groove thang on ABC again, his plans for that Indy 500 check -- no worries, IRS. -- By Kimberly Potts
Helio Castroneves Photos
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves visits the Reata Resturant on May 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo By Tom Pennington/Getty Images for the Texas Motor Speedway) *** Local Caption *** Adriana Henao;Helio Castroneves
Getty Images
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves and Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage speak at the Reata Resturant on May 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo By Tom Pennington/Getty Images for the Texas Motor Speedway) *** Local Caption *** Adriana Henao;Helio Castroneves
Getty Images
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves and Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage speak to the media at the Reata Resturant on May 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo By Tom Pennington/Getty Images for the Texas Motor Speedway) *** Local Caption *** Adriana Henao;Helio Castroneves
Getty Images
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves and Adriana Henao arrive at the Reata Resturant via a horse drawn carriage on May 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo By Tom Pennington/Getty Images for the Texas Motor Speedway) *** Local Caption *** Adriana Henao;Helio Castroneves
Getty Images
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves and Adriana Henao arrive at the Reata Resturant via a horse drawn carriage on May 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo By Tom Pennington/Getty Images for the Texas Motor Speedway) *** Local Caption *** Adriana Henao;Helio Castroneves
Getty Images
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves and Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage arrive at the Reata Resturant on May 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo By Tom Pennington/Getty Images for the Texas Motor Speedway) *** Local Caption *** Adriana Henao;Helio Castroneves
Getty Images
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves speaks to the media at the Reata Resturant on May 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo By Tom Pennington/Getty Images for the Texas Motor Speedway) *** Local Caption *** Helio Castroneves
Getty Images
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves and Adriana Henao arrive at the Reata Resturant via a horse drawn carriage on May 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo By Tom Pennington/Getty Images for the Texas Motor Speedway) *** Local Caption *** Adriana Henao;Helio Castroneves
Getty Images
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves adjusts the cowboy hat given to him by Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage (R) speak at the Reata Resturant on May 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo By Tom Pennington/Getty Images for the Texas Motor Speedway) *** Local Caption *** Adriana Henao;Helio Castroneves
Getty Images
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves and Adriana Henao arrive at the Reata Resturant via a horse drawn carriage on May 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo By Tom Pennington/Getty Images for the Texas Motor Speedway) *** Local Caption *** Adriana Henao;Helio Castroneves
Getty Images
1. This has been a trying year for you, to say the least. Was it all worth it when you crossed that finish line first in Indianapolis?
Oh yes, there are so many things I can talk about. This month has been unbelievable. Actually, this year has been unbelievable. To win is incredible. It's something that you never plan, it's something outside of my control.
2. What's more exciting: winning the Indy 500 for a third time or winning 'Dancing With the Stars' in season 5? And would you compete on 'DWTS' again, maybe if they did an all-star season with all the past winners?
Ah, well, I have to say that, even though I worked really hard on 'Dancing With the Stars,' winning Indy this year was really special. I am very thankful to win that one. And yes, without thinking [I would go on 'Dancing With the Stars' again]. For sure. It was so much fun, plus, I got in the best shape. It helped me a ton, and not just as a driver -- it's always good when you're in really, really good shape. [Driving] is a different sport -- you don't move your hips in the car -- but being on the show was an awesome experience.
3. The 'Dancing With the Stars' prize can't touch that record-setting $3,048,005 check you got for winning in Indianapolis, we bet. Oh, absolutely. Though, I want to make clear that that money is not all mine. [Laughs] I want to make that clear! But yes, this is a great paycheck, and it's going to be awesome to pay the rest of my attorney fees.
4. Did you watch 'Dancing With the Stars' this past season? Did the right person win?
Yes, I did watch most of the [episodes]. It was fun to watch. As for winning, it's not about the right person, it's about who the fans love. I understand it was really close. They loved Gilles [Marini] and they loved Shawn [Johnson], and probably the reason Shawn ended up winning was because she did extremely well [on the final] night.
5. You've said in the past that you would like to become an American citizen. Do you still feel that way after everything you went through with the IRS?
Funny thing about that ... a fan said to me, "Now that you've had the IRS come after you, you are an official American." But I love this country. I love to be here, and it's nice to be in a place where you feel very welcome. So yes, it's definitely something I think about and something, in the future, I will consider.
Dancing With the Stars Winners
Season 7: Brooke Burke
Partner: Derek Hough
Best Moves: Brooke dominated the competition from the start, topping the scores eight out of 10 weeks.
ABC
Season 6: Kristi Yamaguchi
Partner: Mark Ballas
Best Moves: Kristi had the perfect ending when she became the first contestant to score 90 out of 90 points in a 'Dancing' finale.
ABC
Season 5: Hélio Castroneves
Partner: Julianne Hough
Best Moves: In week eight, the judges were quick to give Hélio and Julianne's quickstep perfect tens. The next week, they followed up with straight 10s for their rousing renditions of the Foxtrot and Cha-Cha-Cha.
ABC
Season 4: Apolo Anton Ohno
Partner: Julianne Hough
Best Moves: Apolo and Julianne's chemistry sizzled mid-season when they finished in 1st place for two consecutive weeks, first for the Samba and then for the Rumba.
ABC
Season 3: Emmitt Smith
Partner: Cheryl Burke
Best Moves: Emmitt and Cheryl's moves improved all season, then danced it out of the park during the finale, earning 2 sets of perfect 10s for their Samba and Mambo.
ABC
Season 2: Drew Lachey
Partner: Cheryl Burke
Best Moves: The 98 degrees singer proved he could heat up the dance floor with Cheryl Burke; the dancing duo finished in 1st place for five out of the season's eight weeks.
ABC
Season 1: Kelly Monaco
Partner: Alec Mazo
Best Moves: Kelly proved she was a major threat for the 'Dancing' title when her Freestyle garnered three 10s from the judges.
ABC
Reader Comments (1)
dish network at 2:12AM on May 30th 2009
Helio is a great race car driver; but I feel that he beat the system by not paying taxes on millions of dollars. Just because he beat the rap, doesn't mean that he is innocent.