Hélio Castroneves stepping down from full-time IndyCar racing in 2024

For the second time in his motorsports career, Hélio Castroneves is stepping down from a full-time IndyCar schedule. In 2024, Castroneves plans to take a minority partner role with his Meyer Shank Racing team which he currently competes for.

For those that don’t want to see Hélio Castroneves hang it up again, don’t worry too much. The four-time Indy 500 winner is going to attempt to win his fifth 500 next season. So, there is a chance for at least one appearance next season.

As Castroneves steps down from the car, Tom Blomqvist is set to step into one of the Meyer Shank rides full-time. Blomqvist currently races for the Meyer Shank IMSA SportsCar team and has performed well in his time with the group.

Blomqvist made his IndyCar debut at Toronto this season, he finished P25. Nathan Brown of the Indy Star broke the news on Helio and Blomqvist.

.@MeyerShankRac announces that @tom_blomqvist will take over one of the team's two full-season rides in 2024.@h3lio will step down from full-time @IndyCar racing, but will continue his bid for a 5th 500 win in a one-off in '24.

Helio joins MSR as a minority partner as well.

— Nathan Brown (@By_NathanBrown) August 11, 2023

Truly one of the legends of IndyCar, Hélio Castroneves has put together one of the best careers in the sport, especially in the modern era. 25 wins, 84 podiums, and 48 poles over the course of 308 races. Four Indy 500 victories. The fact he came back and won the 2021 Indy 500 in his mid-40s.

All of that, plus his IMSA success in the last four years. All of that has made Castroneves a legend behind the steering wheel. And if you think he can’t drive a stock car, think again. Castroneves raced in Tony Stewart’s SRX Series in 2022 and won. He raced again this season to less success.

Hélio Castroneves not having the season he hoped for

After some general success in his first two seasons with Meyer Shank Racing, this year has not gone to plan it seems. Hélio Castroneves finished 18th overall in the 2022 season. He put together a few top-10 finishes in that season.

However, in 2023, things have not been going all that well. P10 at Texas is his best finish to date. He was P11 at Nashville, but that has not helped his case all that much. Sitting 20th in the standings, perhaps it is just time for Castroneves to let IndyCar go.

One has to wonder what could have been if Castroneves hadn’t stepped away from full-time racing in 2018, while he was with Penske. Then again, you can’t argue against winning another Indy 500 late in your career with a brand new team in your debut for the organization.

A new chapter once again in the career of Hélio Castroneves.