CASTRONEVES TYING THE KNOT
While things on the track may have slowed down a bit for
Helio Castroneves during the off-season; his life off of it has
been just the opposite. This past weekend, the 31 year-old
Brazilian was in his native country to announce some very
important news about his personal life.
The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner traveled to Brazil to
tell his family and friends that he is engaged to Aliette
Vazquez, his girlfriend of five and a half years. A
November 2007 wedding in Miami is planned.
Castroneves proposed over the Thanksgiving holiday and
played it by the book the entire way. Before he popped the
question to Aliette, a Miami resident, he did the right thing
by making sure he had her father's blessing. Castroneves
took the time to check with dad and make sure he supported
the couple before proposing to the bride-to-be.
Castroneves also selected the perfect engagement ring to
blend the Brazilian and American cultures. It's a tradition in
Brazil to propose with a simple wedding band rather than
one with diamonds as is customary in the United States. In
order to create a compromise, Castroneves selected a band
of diamonds and meshed the two cultures together.
"I'm so happy, I just can't put it into words," said
Castroneves. "Ali has been a special part of my life for so
long and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her.
She's been so supportive of me on the track and I am just so
excited to start our new life together."
TOM GERMAN NAMED TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
OF PENSKE RACING, INC.
Long-time Penske Racing engineer Tom German has been
named Technical Director of Penske Racing, Inc. German,
who joined Penske Racing in 1997, has been race engineer
for the #6 team since 2000 when he worked with two-time
CART Champion and 2003 Indianapolis 500-mile race
winner Gil de Ferran. He will continue as race engineer for
three-time IndyCar Series Champion and 2006 Indianapolis 500-mile race
winner Sam Hornish, Jr.
As race engineer, German guided the #6 team to 16 wins,
including two Indianapolis 500-mile race victories, 22 pole
positions and three championships.
"I'm looking forward to continually improving our
competitive position in the IndyCar Series as Technical
Director of Penske Racing, Inc." said German. "I think
that the 2007 season will be a challenge, but we certainly
have the right people in place to meet our goals next year."
CASTRONEVES JUST MISSES CHAMPIONSHIP
Helio Castroneves' final chance at a 2006 Championship
fell short this past weekend when his Brazilian Stock Car
Team encountered difficulties in the final race of the season
in Sao Paulo, Brazil. NasrCastroneves Racing driver
Hoover Orsi entered the race in second place in the point
standings, but was involved in an early race incident that left
him unable to finish. As a result, Orsi placed third in the
final season standings, a position familiar to Castroneves,
who also finished third in the IndyCar Series Championship
battle.
"Obviously, we hoped that we could come away with the
Title, but it just wasn't meant to be. Sometimes you get
caught up in situations you can't avoid, and that's just
racing. I've had my fair share of them during my racing
career," Castroneves said. "Overall, we had a great season,
and just like the IndyCar Team, we'll be back next year and
I hope to come away with both Championships."
Castroneves wasn't limited to Team duties during his trip to
Brazil for the race. He also provided commentary for the TV
network O Globo for the third time this season. In addition,
Castroneves and his Team were featured in a show for TV
Record (Brazilian TV network), which documented his day
at the race and his involvement with the Team.
HORNISH JR. TO SPEAK AT FUNDRAISER
On December 22nd, the Eagles of Defiance will be hosting a
fundraising event for the Defiance Senior Center building
fund (an estimated $3.5 million project).
The evening will honor local racers and feature Sam
Hornish Jr., who has given his time and money to the
Defiance Senior Center building fund, as a guest speaker.
The event will also have 50/50 drawings, as well as live and
silent auctions in hopes of raising $25,000 for the Defiance
Senior Center building fund.
-credit: mtp
