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CASTRONEVES IN THE CITY OF ANGELS AS AWARDS PRESENTER AND NOMINEE

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves is taking time away from the hectic IndyCar Series schedule to go to Los Angeles for two events this week.

Monday evening, Castroneves will be attending Univision’s “Premios Deportes” Awards in Pasadena, CA. Castroneves has been nominated for an award in the “Auto Racer of the Year” category. In addition, Castroneves will be presenting the “All-Star Soccer Team of the Year Award,” which will be decided by fan votes.

Monday's ceremonies mark the first-ever “Premios Deportes” Awards that were created to honor Latin athletes and their talent, perseverance, and character; as well as their impact on the Latin Community. The “Premios Deportes” nominees were selected by a panel of current and former professional athletes and sports writers, including famed boxer Oscar de la Hoya; legendary Mexican soccer goalie Jorge Campos; retired NFL player Tony Casillas; NFL Hall of Fame inductee Anthony Muñoz; former Mexican soccer coach Jesus Bracamontes; and Enrique Borja, legendary Mexican forward and team president of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) Tigres.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized by the Latin community for my contribution to the sports world,” said Castroneves of his award nomination. “Being from Brazil, the Latin community in the United States is a tremendously important part of my life. To be considered one of the top Latin drivers competing in America is something I’m very proud of, and I will certainly keep my fingers crossed at tonight’s ceremony!”

CASTRONEVES TO PROVIDE BEHIND-THE-SCENES COVERAGE AT THE ESPYS

As if one awards show this week wasn’t enough for Castroneves, he will remain in Los Angeles to attend the 16th Annual ESPY Awards on Wednesday night hosted by Justin Timberlake.

Castroneves' role at the Ceremony will be two-fold, he will present the “Female International Athlete of the Year” ESPY, and he will work as a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight.

While he has been nominated for an ESPY Award in the past (2002), it will be the first time in his career that he will be presenting. In addition, the 33 -year-old Brazilian will reprise his role as an Entertainment Tonight correspondent as he reports from the red carpet and behind the scenes at the Nokia Theater. As the ET ESPY correspondent, Castroneves will pick up where he left off when he provided post-show interviews for the entertainment show during the most recent season of “Dancing with the Stars.”

In addition, Castroneves will also be taping a segment with professional snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler, which is slated to air during the “Countdown Show” leading up to the awards broadcast. The piece will feature the pair as they highlight the gift bags that ESPY nominees and presenters will be receiving.

“I am really looking forward to attending the ESPYs this week,” explains Castroneves. “The evening is a perfect opportunity for athletes to interact with one another away from the track, field and court; and it’s always a good time. And this year, not only do I have the honor of presenting an award, but I also get to work with ‘Entertainment Tonight.’ I had a blast trying things on the other side of the camera during the most recent season of ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ so I’m definitely looking forward to hitting the red carpet on Wednesday night.”

The Entertainment Tonight piece will air on Thursday, July 16, while the ESPYs are scheduled for Sunday, July 20.  Please check your local listings.