Helio returns to Laguna Seca

Helio Castroneves could hardly believe it. Has it really been seven years since his last race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca? A quick look at the record books says that’s correct. So it was a giddy Castroneves that was patrolling the paddock on the first day of the Monterey Sports Car Championship presented by Patr¢n.

Castroneves will team with Ryan Briscoe in Penske Motorsports’ Porsche RS Spyder, the same car the duo drove to a class victory two weeks ago at Road Atlanta’s Petit Le Mans. A two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Castroneves has tasted success in Monterey on multiple occasions.

Castroneves at Laguna Seca in 2000

He debuted in 1996 with a third-place effort in Indy Lights and followed that with a runner-up finish the following year. He jumped up to CART the following year and won at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 2000 after claiming pole position.

“It’s been so many years since I’ve raced here, plus there’s throwing a new car into the mix," Castroneves said. “That really adds to the challenge. Fortunately a few weeks ago we got in some good testing time a few weeks ago at Road Atlanta so I’ve gotten used to the RS Spyder again."

Castroneves is one of multiple open-wheel drivers who are competing in LMP2 this weekend. Tony Kanaan, IndyCar’s 2004 champion, raced to a fourth-place class finish last year with Andretti Green Racing, and he’s back with the team this year alongside Franck Montagny.

And of course Gil de Ferran, a two-time CART champion and ex-Indy 500 winner, is the owner/driver of De Ferran Motorsports’ Acura ARX-01b. He also was Castroneves’ teammate at Penske Racing from 2000 to 2001.

“I’ve talked to Gil a couple of times and has told me that he will be qualifying his car," Castroneves said. “He told me to ask Roger to let me qualify so it can be like old times again."