Helio Castroneves is returning to Meyer Shank Racing for the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series season, the team announced on Friday afternoon.
The Brazilian first piloted the No. 06 MSR Honda in 2021, winning the 105th Running of Indianapolis 500 in their maiden race together before finishing out a six-race campaign. The Indy 500 victory was also the first-ever NTT IndyCar Series win for MSR, while it was the fourth for Castroneves, tying him with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears for most all-time in ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’. This year, Castroneves returned to a full-time schedule in North America’s premier open-wheel championship for the first time since 2017, collecting three top 10s thus far through the opening 14 races.
Team co-owner Mike Shank added his jubilation to retaining Castroneves to a program that also includes Simon Pagenaud in the No. 60 MSR Honda.
“Keeping Helio onboard wasn’t really a question for us,” Shank said. “We’ve built a really strong relationship with him over these last two race seasons. He brings so much to the table, on and off the track. He’s been able to help us grow as a team and we’ve been able to learn from his years of experience. It’s truly a mutually beneficial relationship. And of course he’s a perfect face of the sport and has such an infectious personality, so to have him on our team is an honor.”
Castroneves, 47, added, “I’m so excited that myself and Meyer Shank Racing have renewed for 2023. I’m super optimistic for an amazing season because of everything that we have built this season – all the positive data and positive energy. I can’t thank Mike and Jim enough and of course all of our partners. There is no question that we are all super excited to continue this amazing partnership. Simon (Pagenaud) and I are going to do everything we can to finish this season strong, and then have a good start to 2023 and some even better results.”
