Helio Castroneves looking for the Texas Two-Step this weekend

Two weeks ago, Castroneves put together everything that he needed to do to win the Indianapolis 500, however came up short, finishing second. The disappointment was evident on Castroneves’ face at the end of the Indianapolis 500, and some people wondered how he would fare moving forward and whether it’d eat at him.

The disappointment wasn’t evident at all this past weekend, though, as Castroneves was able to win the second race of the weekend in Detroit.

“We were able to compose ourselves, come back here and focus,” he commented. “The first day, Saturday, it didn’t go our way, even having the best car.  Today, just never give up.  We proved today it was perfect. Physically, yes, it’s tough, especially coming from one month at Indy, then to come back here in Detroit, which is a very physical place.  But today is a statement of my trainer, Carlos Bailly, we were spot on.  I sweat, but not that bad.  I felt good all day, all the time, and I’m ready for Texas.”

Now sitting only 19 points behind teammate Will Power, Castroneves heads to a track that has treated him well in the pas – Texas Motor Speedway. Castroneves holds the record for the most wins there – four – after dominating last year’s event in leading 132 of the 228 laps.

“We are not playing around.  I’m very confident with my team,” Castroneves noted. “The Hitachi car, we know what we got, especially after Indy.  Ovals, we improved quite a lot. We need to know what kind of rules they’re going to have in terms of downforce.  But we are ready.  We are definitely ready.”

Though while the victories continue to add up, there’s one question that surrounds the past Dancing with the Stars Champion – when will he win his first IndyCar Championship? Since the first race of the season, Castroneves has been fast and running upfront, mounting his charge for the championship after coming so close last season.

Perhaps it will be this year as Castroneves feels that he’s at his best right now.

“I think I’m becoming wiser I guess with the age,” he commented. “But I’ve been able to pay attention in details that I haven’t seen before, able to work with engineers better than before.  I think this is the second year in a row I have the same engineer, same crew.  Crew actually changed.  First time I had Roger.  Last time I had part-time Roger.  When you go from that kind of changes, it takes a little time for them to understand, for you to understand, and everything is clicking the right way, especially Jonathan.  Everybody knows engineers is the key to keep you going.  When you have a guy that understands what you’re saying, it’s great.  For me Jonathan is doing an outstanding job.”