Helio Making a Racket: Two-time Indy 500 Winner Takes on a Tennis Ace--on Track
3/29/2008
Castroneves, Nalbandian trade strokes at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Helio Castroneves is a race car driver who plays tennis for fun and exercise. David Nalbandian is a professional tennis player who owns a race car team.
This was the perfect friendly match – the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion and the seventh-ranked men's player in the world -- on a makeshift court on the Homestead-Miami Speedway frontstretch.
"I'm going to play (toward Turn 1) so he might feel the power of my serve," Castroneves joked beforehand. "With that, I don't want to injure him because he's going to be playing (March 28) and I'll be racing."
Nalbandian, who won two ATP Masters Series tournaments in 2007, is competing in the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami this weekend. Castroneves, who much to the chagrin of the crowd didn't perform a few Foxtrot steps on his backhand, is competing in the GAINSCO Auto Insurance Indy 300.
"I felt relatively safe today, because even though we were playing tennis we were on the racetrack, where I’m most comfortable," said Castroneves, who has previously played exhibition matches against other top-ranked ATP and WTA players. "David is an incredible athlete, and it's great we had this opportunity with both our race and the ATP in town this weekend. I had a fantastic time, and I hope he does well this weekend."
Nalbandian also took a ride in the IndyCar Series two-seater on the 1.5-mile, variably banked oval with driver Davey Hamilton.
"I really enjoyed it," said Nalbandian, who owns the Tango Rally Team that competes in the World Rally Championships with driver Marco Ligato. "I'd like to drive one of the (IndyCar Series) cars. It's tough to do what these guys do on the course. You have to practice. You have to be able to spend hours here."
He wasn't able to; it was back to the practice court.
"It's great to see someone who appreciates our sport the same way I appreciate his sport," Castroneves said.
To see picture of the Helio and David matchup click here
Track Calendar
In 2012, Homestead-Miami Speedway continues its rich history of sports car racing when the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series returns to South Florida’s road course. The Grand Prix of Miami, set for April 27-29, will feature both the Daytona Prototype and Grand Touring classes in Race 3 of the 2012 GRAND-AM campaign.
For the 11th consecutive year, Homestead-Miami Speedway will serve as host to NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend in 2012. South Florida again will be the site when NASCAR crowns its Champions in all three of its top national divisions—the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series— the weekend of Nov. 16-18, 2011.
In addition to hosting high-profile sanctioned events, Homestead-Miami Speedway is “hot” more than 280 days each year in playing host to activities that include: race-car and manufacturer testing; car-club events; driving schools and ride-along programs; charitable events; film, movie and photo shoots; product launches; motorcycle racing; and the track’s weekly Friday night “T-n-T/Test ’n Tune” car competition that opens up Pit Road to the public as an alternative to illegal street racing. Don't miss a second of exciting motorsports action at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2012!
For the 11th consecutive year, Homestead-Miami Speedway will serve as host to NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend in 2012. South Florida again will be the site when NASCAR crowns its Champions in all three of its top national divisions—the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series— the weekend of Nov. 16-18, 2011.
In addition to hosting high-profile sanctioned events, Homestead-Miami Speedway is “hot” more than 280 days each year in playing host to activities that include: race-car and manufacturer testing; car-club events; driving schools and ride-along programs; charitable events; film, movie and photo shoots; product launches; motorcycle racing; and the track’s weekly Friday night “T-n-T/Test ’n Tune” car competition that opens up Pit Road to the public as an alternative to illegal street racing. Don't miss a second of exciting motorsports action at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2012!
