Castroneves confident of return

Castroneves is very confident he will resume his racing career after trial. Or will he be dancing to the tune of Jailhouse Rock?

Helio Castroneves said he is ''very confident'' he will resume his IndyCar racing career after his upcoming trial on tax evasion charges. ''I can't wait to be back in the race car and do what I love most — race,'' Castroneves, a Coral Gables resident, said Tuesday.

Castroneves' Penske Racing Team announced that driver Will Power will replace Castroneves in the No. 3 car during preseason testing and, if needed, in races this season.

Castroneves — a two-time Indy 500 winner and Dancing With the Stars champion — is awaiting a March 2 trial in U.S. District Court in Miami. He is charged with failing to pay taxes on more than $5 million in income during a four-year period. Penske president Tim Cindric said hiring a temporary replacement leaves open the possibility Castroneves could return if he's acquitted. The IndyCar season opens April 5 in St. Petersburg. ''If Helio is ready to go at St. Pete and he's in a situation where he's ready for the rest of the year, the No. 3 car is his,'' Cindric said. 'The easy thing in this situation might be to say, `Hey in 2010, Helio we'll talk about it then' and just get on with 2009. But we didn't feel like that's the right thing to do. “The guy has been with us for nine years, he's done a great job, won a lot of races and he's great for the sport. ''

Castroneves said Penske Racing's decision is best for everyone, as he needs to continue focusing on his trial. Castroneves said his legal team told him to expect the trial to last about three weeks. ''It's real difficult to see a guy on such a high after everything he went through with Dancing with the Stars,'' Cindric said. “Now seeing him go through this situation, it's very difficult. But at the same time, I'm confident if there's anybody going to get through in a positive way, it's this guy.''