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Kanaan, Wheldon slow down off track, not on it


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Two-time Indy winner Helio Castroneves remains a bachelor at 33 after breaking off an engagement last year.

But he has taken note of the way fellow Brazilian and longtime friend Kanaan and friendly rivals Wheldon and Dixon have changed.

“I don’t have that, but I understand what they’re talking about,” Castroneves said. “I feel confident. I feel mature. But, probably, when I find someone, I will go through the same things.

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“I’m glad they are in that situation,” he added. “There’s an old story in racing that when a guy gets married, he slows down. As you can see, they’re not slowing down at all.”

So how have his friends and rivals changed?

“They tend to be a little more patient and not so stubborn,” Castroneves said. “My personality is not like that anyway, but people sometimes need a better half to balance your life.

“I remember discussing that with (former Team Penske teammate) Gil de Ferran. A lot of times we have a conversation about getting married and having kids, which he did, and I would say, ‘I don’t see myself there.’ But now I understand and, hopefully, one day I will be there.”

And, even for Castroneves, his personal life is already changing, with sister Katie, ready to make him an uncle for the first time in July.

“It’s something new,” Castroneves said, grinning. “I’m getting older and it’s nice to see.”

And, despite all the changes that are occurring in their personal lives, all of them remain dedicated to driving race cars.

“I think we’re all the same,” Kanaan said. “I know once I’m in the race car, I’m the same Tony. The only thing that has changed is my personal life.”

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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