All show and no go?
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| Helio Castroneves can dance, but can he still drive to win? |
On July 16, Castroneves was a co-presenter on stage during the 16th ESPY Awards and was a correspondent for “Entertainment Tonight" on the red carpet prior to the event.
“It’s all in a day’s work," he said July 16.
A day earlier, the Team Penske driver who is second in the IndyCar Series standings heading into the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance received the Auto Racer of the Year Award during the inaugural Univision Premios Deportes Awards in Pasadena, Calif. (broadcast July 20 on Univision).
"It is truly an honor to be recognized by the Latin community for my contribution to the sports world," said Castroneves, the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion who is second in the IndyCar Series championship standings. "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."
Castroneves was joined at the ESPYs by WNBA player and award winner Candace Parker to present the International Female Athlete award.
Danica Patrick, a double ESPY nominee, also was a presenter during the show hosted by Justin Timberlake. Actor Forest Whitaker joined the Andretti Green Racing driver to hand out the Best Upset award. IndyCar Series points leader Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing was nominated in the Best Driver category.
The ESPYs will be broadcast at 9 p.m. (ET) July 20 on ESPN.
On Sept. 22, Castroneves will be among the honorees during the 23rd Great Sports Legends Dinner in New York.
Joining the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion on the dais will be tennis champion Andre Agassi, NFL all-time receiving leader Jerry Rice, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs and seven-time NBA All-Star Scottie Pippen.
Bob Costas will be the master of ceremonies for the event that benefits the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, a nonprofit organization that serves as the national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
07/14/08 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. Given his winning percentage of late perhaps he should spend more time on his driving skills.
This evening, Castroneves will be attending Univision’s “Premios Deportes" Awards in Pasadena, Calif. Castroneves has been nominated for an award in the “Auto Racer of the Year" category along with fellow IndyCar Series driver Milka Duno and NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya.
In addition, Castroneves will be presenting the “All-Star Soccer Team of the Year Award," which will be decided by fan votes.
The July 14 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. IndyCar Series driver Mario Moraes will also attend the event.
“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!"
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 July 16.
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, reporting from the red carpet and behind the scenes at the Nokia Theater.
It's Castroneves' second tour as an E.T.'s correspondent. He also provided post-show interviews for the entertainment show during the most recent season of “Dancing with the Stars."
“I am really looking forward to attending the ESPY’s this week," Castroneves said. “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."
Castroneves could run into familiar faces on the red carpet. Danica Patrick is nominated for two awards (Best Female Athlete and Best Moment) while Scott Dixon is nominated for best driver.
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.