New interview with Helio Castroneves

Posted By: admin On: December 8, 2007 Comments: ( 0 )

 

Full article found here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/richard_deitsch/12/04/helio.qa/

Helio considers himself a champion not only in racing, but dancing.  When asked if beating Marie Osmond feels better than beating Dario Franchitti, Helio responds that it is different, but it does give him a sweet taste in his mouth.  Which one, Helio? Beating Marie or Dario? I think beating Marie would taste sweeter because then you can wipe that smug “I’m gonna win this on popularity alone” smile right off her face.  He sure did that too. 

Helio was serious when he said that his Mirrorball Trophy was going right between his 2 Indy 500 Trophys.  He says when he looks at them he will know that those are two things he put his heart and soul into.  Awww…he also mentions that he will be using his new found fame on starting more business ventures such as car dealerships and will rely on mentor and coach Roger Penske who Helio refers to the King of Dealerships. Helio also has franchises in Brazil - some car dealerships and Burger Kings.

When asked why he wanted to do Dancing with the Stars, Helio responded with his friend Apolo Anton Ohno encouraged him to do stating it was fun - hard work, but still fun.  Helio then had to get permission from his team, but permission came quickly since it was a positive family show. Helio thought the only downside was if he was a bad dancer and getting voted off first.  I think it is kind of ironic how his friend Apolo Anton Ohno urged him to do it and they both were paired up with the same partner.  Were strings pulled to see that Helio was paired with Julianne or was it the luck of the draw?

Helio said he isn’t really being followed that much by paparazzi, but that people recognize him on the streets and tell him congratulations.  He did mention that he hasn’t been to his house in Miami for quite some time, but that his secretary mentioned that people have been hanging out by his house.  Helio said that’d be interesting, but stated that if people came by he’d invite them in giving them bread and juice. Awww…don’t we just love Helio?

When asked about Mark Cuban as a dancer - Helio thought he was going to be horrible, but that he surprised them all.  Helio’s most famous person in his phone is Wayne Newton. LOL! Wayne is THAT famous? I beg to differ. He did go to Las Vegas and had lunch with Wayne at Wayne’s house.

When asked why Brazlians are so happy Helio responded with “It must be the sun and that Brazilians are loose (whatever that means - maybe laid back?) and they are really tight with their families which keeps them happy.

Helio states he wants to “pretend” to be single for now and that the breakup was upsetting, but that life is full of surprises. He is going to enjoy being a bachelor and whatever happens in the future - happens.

When asked about his teammates and their support, Helio stated that he got calls from Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Mark Martin. Helio said that Roger Penske was his biggest supporter calling him every Tuesday to lend his support and find out what happened.

When asked about Julianne, Helio mentioned they had the same personality - very fun and friendly. He mentioned that they both love what they do and are very determined people. He mentioned that their relationship wasn’t a “sea of flowers” and that sometimes they had to sit down and talk serious, but that it was all good for their relationship to improve - that they were a team.

When asked about Julianne’s age only being 19 - Helio said that on the dance floor there really wasn’t any room for discussion, but that off the dance floor the age difference was noticeable in that she often times brought things to the dance floor that needed to be kept off, but Helio understood because he was 19 once.

When asked about his ever expanding fame - Helio referenced Paul Newman where Paul stated you don’t want to try everything and to know your limitations. Helio said that right now all of this is a good thing and that he will continue to enjoy his life.