Hornish cheers for Helio in person

Helio Castroneves didn't have to look far for familiar faces when he performed on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" on Nov. 5.

Amongst the audience for the show were Brian Barnhart, president of competition and operations for the Indy Racing League, Al Speyer, executive director of Firestone Racing and three-time IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr., who has been Castroneves' teammate at Team Penske since 2004.

"When I heard that he was going to do the show, I said, 'That's totally Helio,' " Hornish said. "Everyone who knows him would expect him to be able to come out here and do great. He's one of the most charismatic people I know. He's an entertainer. He's always dancing around."

Hornish said the show has given Castroneves something that should help him with his racing.

"A good release," he said. "I knew he would be dedicated. The guys on the team tell me that they have a hard time figuring out what he wants to do more – drive a race car or practice his dancing. But it's been fun to turn on the TV on Monday nights and see him do so well."