News

                                                        

In one of the most dramatic championship races in recent memory, Castroneves, Ricky Taylor and Alexander Rossi captured the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC) in the Daytona Prototype international class for the No. 7 Acura Team Penske ARX-05 team.

The accomplishment was even more special because it was the finale race for Castroneves as a Team Penske driver. To use a baseball reference, it was like a walk-off homerun with a 3-2 count. Not only was Sebring the last of his 344 career races with Team Penske, an early issue in the 12-hour race  – while leading – forced the team to the garage before the one-hour mark. The repairs to the No. 7 Acura resulted in the team losing 11 laps to the race leaders and basically taking the control of their championship destiny out of the hands of Castroneves and Taylor, who brought a slim two-point lead in the standings into the season finale.

Yet, it was as if all the love and support that Castroneves has received from fans, competitors, officials and partners throughout his career would not let him go one more day without a title. Incredibly, both of the No. 7 Acura’s chief competitors for the championship also experienced misfortune throughout the demanding Sebring race. When the checkered flag waved on both the race and Castroneves’ career at Team Penske, he was finally a series champion.

“To be able to finally get the championship, and to do it with an amazing organization and an amazing group of people is very special,” said an emotional Castroneves while surrounded by his team on Saturday night. “I’ve made so many true friends during my time at Team Penske and that lasts forever. This is a night I will never forget. It’s emotional for sure because it has been a lot of hard work by many people. There were many ups and downs, and Roger (Penske) always says you win more than you lose and that is part of what makes the wins so special.”

For Penske, helping Castroneves win a title was a fitting way for the team to honor the driver that has contributed so much the organization's success over the years. 

"Helio has been such an important part of Team Penske for over two decades and he is certainly one of the greatest drivers in the history of our team," said Penske. "Winning a championship with Helio was certainly a great way to end this season."

For Taylor, who has developed a strong bond and lasting friendship with Castroneves during their three years as teammates on the No. 7 Acura, finishing off the championship was more about his co-driver than winning his second career IWSC title.

“To me, Helio is Team Penske,” Taylor stated not long after driving the final stint of the race. “What he has done for the team in his 20-plus years made it a privilege of a lifetime to get to drive for this team and to share a car with him. Winning the championship with him is one of the highlights of my life and my career.”