However, all is not rosy with the outcome for the Castroneves siblings. The charge of conspiracy was deadlocked by the jurors and leaves open the possibility of a retrial on that count. But for now, this painful episode is in the rear view mirror.

What does this mean for the #3 machine at the Grand Prix of Long Beach?

It means that HELIO WILL RACE!!! Breaking news shows that he will be the pilot of the #3 Team Penske entry for the weekend. As of this entry, there is no word on where that leaves Will Power who had been the fill in. Will Power will be in the #12 car since the regular driver of the #3 is back in business.

I will post again later this evening with a look ahead to the 35th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach as well as any more information I have on this developing story.

Give em’ HELL HELIO!

also follow me @ejwassonmsf on twitter for updates as well.

Team Penske will announce today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that it has signed Australian driver Will Power to fill in for the troubled brazillian star. Whether Power will actually drive a car for Penske in an IndyCar Series race is left up to the Federal Court system. If Helio isn’t able to answer the bell due to his court case, then the reigns of the #3 will be handed over to the Aussie.

Will Power has a successful record on road courses, and was a rising star in the now defunct Champ Car World Series. He was with PKV racing last year and found himself with no seat heading into 2009. This is a bit of gamble for Will Power, considering he may not even get to race in a Team Penske car, but I think it sets clear the state of the economy. Why would he take a gamble on being used as a test driver, while Helio fights his battles? Because there is nothing else out there.

It does make the mind wonder what the end game will be. Will Penske bring over enough sponsorship to adopt a third car in the 2009 season? Is Will Power going to be used for a few weeks in testing the 2009 car, then thrown off the team when HCN comes back?

Or is this maybe the clearest sign yet, that Helio Castroneves is in a world of trouble, and there is very little chance of him escaping the wrath of our Government.

Stay tuned, its gonna be an incredible year in the IndyCar Series… Bring on the warm weather…and lets go racing!

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]