Cleared of Tax Evasion, Castroneves Returns for Sunday's IndyCar Race

There was no celebratory fence climbing, victory lane to visit or mirror ball trophy to hoist, but two-time Indy 500 winner and "Dancing With the Stars" champ Helio Castroneves scored the biggest victory of his life Friday when a Miami jury acquitted him of federal tax evasion charges that could have sent him to prison for six years.

And so this weekend, Castroneves will be seeing checkers instead of stripes.

Minutes after the early Friday afternoon verdict, his longtime racing strategist, Tim Cindric, sent Castroneves a text message: "We're ready for you" to which Castroneves responded, "I'm coming man."

And just like that, a Team Penske plane was immediately dispatched to Miami to transport Castroneves to the IndyCar Series race in Long Beach, Calif. where he will compete Sunday.

The series is allowing him to participate in both practice sessions Saturday in what will be his first laps in an IndyCar since a race in Australia last October.

"His best medicine will be to get back in a race car," Cindric, the Team Penske president, said in a hastily called news conference trackside in Long Beach. "And I've got 100 percent confidence it will be like riding a bike for him."

Reporters in the Miami courtroom said Castroneves, 33, and his sister Katiucia, 35 -- who was also acquitted -- sobbed and embraced as the verdicts were read. The jury was deadlocked on the more serious charges of conspiracy against the Brazilian-born siblings prompting U.S. District Judge Donald Graham to declare a mistrial on that count. Castroneves' sports attorney, 71-year-old Alan Miller, was acquitted on all four charges brought against him

Castroneves was accused of avoiding more than $2.3 million in taxes by deferring payments from Team Penske, which he has driven for since 2000

Since Castroneves was indicted late last year, legendary team owner Roger Penske has remained committed to his lead driver. He hired Australian Will Power to drive Castroneves' famous No. 3 car until the case was resolved but promised the seat was Castroneves immediately upon being cleared of any wrongdoing

Penske made good on that pledge and also announced Friday that Power would drive a third Team Penske car -- sponsored by Verizon Wireless -- this weekend and again in the Indianapolis 500 on May 24.

Power appeared alongside Cindric at the press conference and reiterated how grateful he is for the opportunity to be a part of IndyCar's most successful organization -- even if it now means he won't have a full time job.

"I'm just happy for Helio and his family, I couldn't imagine going through that," Power said. "None of this is a surprise to me, and I appreciate the way it's all played out.

"It's a great opportunity for me."

Long before Danica-mania hit the IndyCar Series, Castroneves had endeared himself to American open-wheel fans for his infectious, omnipresent smile and cheerful disposition. He became famous for climbing fences at the race tracks after winning a race -- including back-to-back Indy 500s in 2001-02

He won over the rest of America out-dancing and out-charming other celebrities en route to the 2007 trophy on the hit television show, "Dancing With the Stars."

The charges against Castroneves stunned those in the racing community. Three-time reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson even testified on behalf of the defense team regarding the integrity of Miller, who has also represented other successful race car drivers

"It just feels good to have the family back together again," said Indy Racing League president Brian Barnhart. "(Helio) is a true star in every sense of the word. Obviously we couldn't be happier."

Castroneves was expected to arrive in Long Beach Friday evening, but plans to address the media haven't been finalized yet. Penske, who is in Phoenix for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race Friday night, will fly to Long Beach to greet Castroneves on Saturday.