Originally published Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 5:50 AM

Court case puts Castroneves out of driver's seat

Will Power is stepping in for Helio Castroneves at Team Penske while the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion fights tax evasion charges in court.

By MIKE HARRIS

AP Auto Racing Writer

Will Power is stepping in for Helio Castroneves at Team Penske while the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion fights tax evasion charges in court.

Team Penske announced the deal Tuesday morning, saying Power will handle testing for Penske's No. 3 car, which has belonged to 2008 IndyCar Series runner-up Castroneves. Power's contract with KV Racing Technology expired at the end of last season.

"We remain hopeful that Helio's situation will have a positive outcome and the team is fully behind him," team president Tim Cindric said in a statement. "While Helio prepares for his court case, we're excited to welcome Will Power to the team. Will has already proved that he's a terrific racer, and we think he's going to be a good fit with Team Penske."

The team said whether Power drove in any races depended on the outcome of Castroneves' trial in Miami, scheduled to begin March 2. The IndyCar season opens April 5 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Castroneves, who also won TV's "Dancing With The Stars" competition in 2007, has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and tax evasion involving about $5.5 million in income stashed in offshore accounts.

His sister and business manager, along with his attorney, also are charged in the case.

Team Penske scheduled a news conference later Tuesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Cindric and its drivers.

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