IndyCar: Judge Rejects Movement To Delay Helio Castroneves Tax Evasion Trial
Helio Castroneves, the 33 year old Brazilian star and one of the most recognizable faces in the IndyCar Series, has received some horrible news. U.S. District Judge Donald Graham has rejected all requests for delaying the start of the trial for Tax Evasion charges against the racing phenom. The trial is set to begin in Miami on March 2nd, 2009.
This presents several challenges for Helio Castroneves, as well as his current employer, Penske Racing. Helio’s contract stipulates that he must be able to participate in each of the IndyCar Series events. The first race of the 2009 season is just one month after the start of the trial. The likelihood of a Federal tax evasion case being opened and closed within one month is unknown, but historically these can take several weeks, if not months, to come to a conclusion. If the verdict goes against the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, appeals can lengthen the process even more.
Helio Castroneves and Penske Racing officials had requested the trial be delayed until November of 2009 to allow Helio to compete in the 2009 campaign. As of now, that is very much in question.
Publicly, Roger Penske has said he is behind their driver, but as the months get closer to the opening race the activity to replace the long-time Penske driver will have to begin. As one of IndyCar’s most successful racing teams, they will want to have a qualified candidate ready to roll off as the season begins if Helio Castroneves is not ready to be behind the wheel.
(Editor’s note: In related news, the Dancing With the Stars co-contestant of Helio Castroneves, Mark Cuban, has recently found himself in his own water. Cuban was recently charged with insider trading by the SEC.)
[tags]helio castroneves, tax evasion, dancing with the stars, indycar[/tags]
Tags: Helio Castroneves, IndyCar, Tax Evasion
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[...] Stars is also in hot water. Helio Castroneves had his motion to delay his trial denied and will stand trial for tax evasion beginning on March 2, [...]