MADISON, Unwell. — There was no likelihood Meyer Shank Racing would danger four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves making historical past with one other group.

Curbing that chance, the group introduced a one-year contract extension Friday that can convey Castroneves again for a twenty sixth full IndyCar season. Castroneves received his fourth 500 in 2021 driving a part-time schedule for MSR as Castroneves was desperately combating off a compelled slide towards retirement.

Michael Shank believed within the widespread Brazilian and final 12 months’s Indy win led to a full season at MSR’s expanded two-car group. Castroneves is now 47 years previous, but insistent he is acquired loads of gasoline in his tank.

Shank wholeheartedly agreed.

“I do not need anybody else to win a fifth Indy 500,” Shank instructed The Related Press. “He is very emotional about this, he is taking place swinging. I believe he’d love to do not less than another (full) 12 months after which perhaps attempt simply Indy? After which do another issues, too. He needs to remain concerned, he needs to make use of what he is robust at, and we help him 100%.”

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It is hardly been the breakout season Shank had anticipated when Castroneves’ program was expanded right into a full season and Simon Pagenaud turned accessible on the similar time Jack Harvey, the group’s first driver, left for Rahal Letterman Lanigan. Castroneves is 18th within the standings, has led just one lap all 12 months and completed seventh at Indy; Pagenaud is twelfth within the standings and was eighth at Indy, and Shank believes could have a powerful near his first season with MSR.

They race Saturday night time at Gateway Worldwide Expertise Raceway outdoors St. Louis, the place Castroneves has an unimaginable document. In six profession begins spanning each CART and IndyCar, Castroneves has one victory and has by no means completed decrease than ninth. In three IndyCar races, his common end is 2.3.

It has created hope for robust outcomes from MSR on Saturday night time on the last oval on this 12 months’s IndyCar calendar. Castroneves has not raced Gateway since 2017.

He has admittedly struggled to regulate to the cockpit-protecting aeroscreen — which was added by IndyCar whereas Castroneves was competing full-time in sports activities automobiles following his almost twenty years with Crew Penske — and his outcomes this season have been inconsistent. Shank is planning personnel modifications to Castroneves’ group.

“I did not anticipate how troublesome it was. We’re making some modifications internally to ensure these final three races, we proceed to enhance,” Castroneves mentioned. “This aeroscreen actually threw a curveball to discover a candy spot, taking longer than I anticipated for myself to adapt and to know what the automotive wants. However we’re pushing. I really feel like we could possibly be higher.

“However bear in mind, it is the primary full-time season that I am in. Definitely we’re getting ready for greater issues sooner or later.”

Shank is not a lot bothered by the outcomes due to the worth Castroneves brings to the group sponsors. The charismatic Brazilian is an entertainer — he received his season of “Dancing With the Stars” in 2007 — and is successful at associate capabilities.

“Let’s simply put the Indy 500 to the aspect for a minute, the connection he is had with our sponsors and our companions is like next-level (stuff) I’ve by no means seen earlier than,” Shank instructed AP. “He’s so good with individuals. Everybody needs him at their occasions, dinners, meet-and-greets, he is simply distinctive. And we’ve got to ship what our sponsors need.”

Castroneves has no thought how lengthy he’d prefer to race, however he is aware of he has no plans to decelerate. Along with his extension with MSR, Castroneves is lobbying for a seat within the Daytona 500 with TrackHouse Racing and its Project91 program. TrackHouse needs to convey worldwide drivers from different formulation to NASCAR and debuts Project91 this weekend with System One 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen.

TrackHouse group proprietor Justin Marks has mentioned conversations with Castroneves are on pause till the group will get by its debut with Raikkonen. However Castroneves needs to be within the Daytona 500 and anything he can match into his schedule; he additionally participated in Tony Stewart’s all-star collection for a second consecutive 12 months this summer time and his victory within the opener is what led to Daytona talks.

“You may’t put a quantity on it. I’ve the potential, the dedication, and I do know I can do the outcomes, and have the group and folks behind,” Castroneves mentioned about how lengthy he plans to race. “The rationale I am nonetheless going for it’s as a result of I imagine in all these points. I’ll hold shifting ahead till I get the consequence.

“Clearly you get to some extent that you have to notice and as of proper now, I do not really feel that in my intestine. I really feel I’ve so much left within the tank. The quantity is simply an age.”