Helio Castroneves drove for Arrow McLaren SP in the INDYCAR Harvest GP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. © [Andy Clary/ Spacesuit Media]
By Joe Jennings
Meyer Shank Racing announced this week that three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves has signed with the progressive team to drive a second car for them in 2021 for six NTT IndyCar Series races. The announcement came during a Zoom press conference with team
Shank said the addition od the second car was part of a carefully thought-out plan and thar Castroneves fully met all of their selection metrics. “I think the passion Helio has is as strong as any 20-year-old out there and his knowledge is times four of anybody out there,” commented Shank. “We’ve built our program around Jack Harvey and we think that Helio can help Jack.”
Said Meyer, “Adding a second driver and eventually moving to two full-time cars on the INDYCAR circuit was a key cornerstone of the program we laid out four years ago and I couldn’t be more thrilled that we’re on our way.”
The overall program also benefitted from the recent investment in Meyer’s Sirius XM Satellite Radio Corporation by Liberty Media, the controlling arm of Formula 1.
“I’m back, man. I’m so excited. This is so incredible,” cheered Castroneves. “Mike and I have known each other for a long time (2007) and he and his wife built this team from scratch, and look what they have been able to achieve.”
Castroneves is looking forward to working with Harvey, particularly with the speed he has shown on the track. “I’m looking forward to working with this group and to the races. I know it is only six races; however, one of them is extremely important to me, which is the Indy 500.”
The team will debut in April at the Barber Grand Prix, then to Long Beach, to Indianapolis for the 500 and the Harvest race in August lastly to Portland and Laguna Seca. Interestingly, the Castroneves Honda will be numbered 6 and that will complement No. 60 on the Harvey machine.
After 20 years with Team Penske, the switch to Meyer Shank represents a significant change to the Brazilian ace. Before agreeing to the change, he sought counsel with Penske, who gave his blessing as did Tim Cindric, Team Penske president. “Team Penske is part of my life and my career. Roger felt it was a great opportunity for me.”
With Team Penske expanding to four full-season teams in 2021, Castroneves knew there wasn’t going to be a seat available to him.
“I can’t stop smiling because I am so excited. We have a lot of work to do, but I am ready for the challenge. This is over the top for me. The sky is the limit,” Castroneves stated.
For the expanded operation, which includes the new Acura DPi entry, Meyer Shank will be moving into a new shop in Ohio, occupying some 50,000 sq. ft. of space. And they will also benefit from their technical alliance with Andretti Autosport.
In closing, Castroneves said, “I’m going to be digging everything I can, because it’s what I love. The only thing I know how to do is drive cars, and that’s part of my passion. Man, this is going to be great.”
