Perfectly paired

DETROIT – Helio Castroneves and Sam Hornish Jr. may be more alike than you first think.

Castroneves is single, flamboyant and charmingly Brazilian, while teammate Hornish is married, quieter and every bit the Midwest boy-next-door.

But in their third year together at Marlboro Team Penske, they appear to be rubbing off on each other. On Thursday, they talked clothes, Danica Patrick and NASCAR.

Castroneves, a two-time Indianapolis 500 champion, wore black pants and a neatly pressed lavender shirt, while Hornish, this year’s 500 winner, opted for dark trousers, jacket and teal-colored shirt.

Both could have doubled as models.

“What’s missing?” asked Hornish, as the two ate an identical lunch of chicken and salad in a meeting room. “Your tie – I’ve got one on,” said Hornish, who was accompanied by his wife, Crystal. “You haven’t.”

Castroneves, as if shocked, checked on his attire and pleaded with Hornish.

“Please don’t tell Roger,” said Castroneves, referring to team owner and Birmingham billionaire Roger Penske. “He told me to wear a tie whenever I come to headquarters.”

When Hornish joined Castroneves at Penske in 2004, many doubted it would work. Brazilian Gil de Ferran had left the team. He and Castroneves had formed a close relationship – sort of a big brother-little brother thing.

The body language between Hornish and Castroneves seemed strained, lukewarm at best. Hornish doesn’t disagree.

“We now enjoy a lot better relationship than we’ve had in the past,” said Hornish, 27. “We were rivals at first. But it took a little while for both parties to warm up. Helio is a great guy, with a lot of passion. I think we play off each other well. I think we’re both family-orientated and love what we’re doing.”

Castroneves, who climbs fences when he wins, looked across the table at Hornish.

“He’s a good actor – I can’t stand him,” said Castroneves, 31, who was born in Sao Paulo. “But, seriously, it is like being a new guy in class. Some come forward and say hello, others take time. Sam is really nice and a fantastic driver. He makes me improve all the time.”

Driving the car to the maximum is what Hornish and Castroneves do equally as well. This season, both have won three races. Hornish is first in series points, while Castroneves is third. They both want another championship for Penske.

“We want a title for Roger,” said Hornish.

Castroneves feels the same way.

“Sam and I have the same goals,” Castroneves said. “We want to finish 1-2 and win a championship.”

While Hornish was born in Defiance, Ohio, about 35 miles from Toledo, and lives in nearby Napoleon, Castroneves enjoys his days in Miami and South Beach in sunny Florida.

On Wednesday, Hornish rode through town in a parade, the mayor declaring it “Sam Hornish Jr. Day” in Defiance in honor of his Indy 500 victory. More than 8,000 people waved at Hornish and Crystal as the couple drove by in a Corvette.

Hornish was overwhelmed with the town’s generosity.

“It was unbelievable,” said Hornish. “I was afraid nobody would show up. We saw all our friends there.”

On Patrick joining Andretti Green Racing in 2007, Hornish said: “You read she’s not happy doing all that other stuff, like appearances. She wouldn’t fit the mold to come and drive for this team (Penske) if that’s the case.”

On ever crossing to NASCAR, Castroneves explained his position: “Right now, my priority is to win the IRL championship – for us to finish 1-2. I’m concentrating on that goal. I’m not saying I wouldn’t think about NASCAR or Grand-AM or American Le Mans.”

Hornish, who has been tempted by several NASCAR Nextel Cup teams to have a crack at stockcar racing, said he thought about the switch.

“I’m focused on winning a championship and defending my Indy 500 victory next year,” said Hornish, a two-time IRL champ.