Helio Castroneves

Auto Racing Driver

A two-time Indianapolis 500 champion, Helio Castroneves began the celebratory tradition of climbing the racetrack fence in 2001, racing for Team Penske. A native of Brazil, Castroneves was partner and owner of the NasrCastroneves racing team, which competed in the Brazilian Stock Car V8 Championship. During his tenure as a driver, he amassed 12 wins and 49 top five finishes during his IndyCar career and up until the time he became an American household name by joining the cast of the popular reality dance competition, "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC, 2005- ). One of the few cast members with no dance experience whatsoever, Castroneves teamed up with reigning champ Julianne Hough to not only make it to the 2007 finals, but to snatch the mirrored disco ball trophy away from odds-on-favorite, Mel B, of Spice Girls fame.