What is Helio Castroneves' net worth?
Helio Castroneves is a renowned Brazilian race car driver with a net worth of $40 million. Best known for his IndyCar career, Castroneves has won the prestigious Indy 500 four times. In 2021, he also secured a win at the 24 Hours of Daytona and was a runner-up in the IndyCar Series drivers’ championship four times. Known for his energetic personality and the celebratory ritual of climbing track fencing after victories, Castroneves is one of the most popular figures in IndyCar. Over his two-decade-long career, he has accumulated over $30 million in on-course prizes.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Hélio Castroneves was born in 1975 in São Paulo, Brazil, to Hélio Sr., a car dealer, and Sandra, a former school teacher. He has one older sister, Katiucia. The family relocated to Ribeirão Preto in 1977, where Hélio Sr. ventured into the ethanol processing business.
At age seven, Castroneves received his first go-kart from race car driver Alfredo Guaraná Menezes. Later, with his father’s support in establishing a karting team, Castroneves won his first trophy at the Karting State Championships. By 13, he left full-time schooling to focus on karting and at 14, he won the 1989 Brazilian National Go-Kart Championship. He continued to pursue his passion by flying to Italy in 1990 to compete in the Karting World Cup, ultimately finishing 16th.
Junior Racing
In 1991, Castroneves advanced to Formula Chevrolet Brazil, finishing as a runner-up with one victory and 92 points for the season. He then moved up to the higher-tier Formula 3 Sudamericana, again ending as runner-up. The following year, he competed in the Brazilian Formula Three Championship, securing second place with three victories, and placed third at the Masters of Formula 3. In 1996, he won at Circuit Trois-Rivières in France. By 1997, he was the Indy Lights championship runner-up to teammate Tony Kanaan.
CART
In 1998, Castroneves joined the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART), driving Bettenhausen Racing's No. 16 Reynard 98i-Mercedes-Benz and secured his first top-ten finish at the Grand Prix of Long Beach. The next season, driving for Hogan Racing, he achieved his first CART pole position in the Miller Lite 225 and other top-ten finishes. The 2000 season saw him earn his first series victory by leading the final 24 laps of the Grand Prix of Detroit. He also won the Miller Lite 200 and the Grand Prix of Monterey. In 2001, he led all 82 laps at the Grand Prix of Long Beach for his fourth career win, earning additional victories at the Grand Prix of Detroit and the Miller Lite 200.
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IndyCar
Castroneves debuted in the Indy Racing League in 2001. Starting 17th, he retired due to engine failure, but bounced back by leading the final 52 laps to win his first Indianapolis 500. He repeated his win the following year and maintained top-nine finishes for the next nine races. In 2003, he earned two top-threes, two second places, and wins at Nazareth Speedway and Gateway International Raceway. In 2004, he secured nine top tens and four pole positions, ending the season with a win at Texas.
He finished third in the 2006 season and was runner-up to Scott Dixon in 2008. After being acquitted of tax evasion and conspiracy in 2009, he won his third Indianapolis 500. Over the next four seasons, he consistently finished top-four and in 2013, he was second to Dixon again. In 2014, he was the runner-up to his teammate Will Power. Castroneves’ final series win came in 2017 with his dominant performance at the Iowa Corn 300, leading 214 laps.
IMSA SportsCar Championship
Stepping down from full-time IndyCar racing in 2017, Castroneves joined Penske's IMSA SportsCar Championship program. In 2018, he won one race and ranked seventh in the Prototype standings. His performance improved in 2019 with five podium finishes. In 2020, he won three consecutive races, culminating in a championship win by one point at the season-ending 12 Hours of Sebring. Castroneves also celebrated a significant victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona in the 2021 season.
Personal Life and Media Appearances
Castroneves has a daughter with his partner Adriana Henao. In 2007, encouraged by Olympic speed skater Apolo Ohno, Castroneves participated in the ABC dance competition series "Dancing with the Stars," winning the competition with partner Julianne Hough. He returned to the show in 2012 with Chelsie Hightower but was eliminated in the third week. His other media appearances include “American Ninja Warrior,” “Celebrity Family Feud,” and “Celebrity Wife Swap.”
