"Dancing with the IRS"
The news that Indy Car star Helio Castroneves was charged with tax evasion couldn't have come at a worse time for the IRL.

Whether Castroneves is found guilty or not of not reporting or paying taxes on nearly $5 million of income is not the point.

The fact that the driver with the most star power next to Danica Patrick is in the news in a sordid tale is a bacl eye for the series that desperately needs to get back into the public eye.

Castroneves broke into the mainstream with his win on the popular DWTS show and those who follow racing knew his personality and charm would carry him into even more popularity than he enjoyed with the motorsports crowd.

The IRL has tried hard to create awareness around its personalities and in the post open wheel merger world, take a page out of the NASCAR handbook by marketing its participants.

Unfortunately outside of Patrick and Castroneves, not many outside of the IRL planet know the names of  other drivers.

And when one of the big two takes a public relations hit like Castroneves has this week, it's (to quote Paula Abdul) two steps forward and one step back - sorry wrong reality talent show.
Posted: 10/3/2008 9:24:41 AM
Comments:
Helio "Twinkletoes" Castroneves will need to put on his best dancing performance if he wants to remain a free man.
Posted On: 10/6/2008 9:53:18 PM

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