IndyCar: Five surprises from the 2017 season

Helio Castroneves is out of a full-time ride at Team Penske

Helio Castroneves is arguably one of the best drivers of his generation and of this millennium. Since his win at the 2001 Indy 500, the Brazilian has totaled 25 wins and 84 podiums.

He’s also an oval track master, especially at Indianapolis. In 17 starts at the Brickyard, he has three wins, three runner-up finishes and four poles.

About the only thing missing from his resume is a championship. Castroneves has finished second in the series points four times and has finished third on three other occasions.

Despite turning 42 in May, Castroneves proved he has his fastball. He finished second at Indy, won at Iowa and picked up nine top 5 finishes.

So it was kind of surprising when the buzz started during the summer that he was no longer part of Penske’s full-season plan in 2018. That was confirmed in October, and next year Castroneves will be piloting Penske’s entry in the IMSA sports car series.

While Castroneves is set to drive for Penske in the 2018 Indy 500, the move seemed abrupt. What rankled many is that he wasn’t given a proper official send-off as the season wound down. It’s also a head-scratcher given the success he continues to have.

Castroneves could possibly have looked for another ride. But that would’ve led to the end of a nearly two-decade relationship with Penske, so that wasn’t going to happen. Plus, his best chance to win a record-tying fourth Indy 500 still lies there.

Maybe Castroneves didn’t get his proper semi-retirement props. But winning his fourth Indy 500 would be all the send-off he’d need.