Helio Castroneves took the microphone at the Biltmore Hotel ballroom and said, joking, to hundreds of guests: "I used to be a driver that can dance, and now I'm a dancer that can drive."

As the Coral Gables resident mingled with attendees at a Florida Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce function honoring his accomplishments, friends and strangers clamored for photographs and the opportunity to talk with the reigning Dancing with the Stars champion.

Life after the show ended in late November has been a whirlwind, ranging from appearances on Oprah, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live! to serving as guest correspondent for Entertainment Tonight. Castroneves will race Saturday in the IndyCar Series for the first time since winning the show, in the Gainsco 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

He returns to the IndyCar circuit as the league's most recognizable driver behind Danica Patrick.

Most of his time will be devoted to driving for Penske Racing until the fall, but Castroneves is trying to parlay his dancing fame into a celebrity with staying power.

Castroneves is hoping to star on a sitcom in the fall and also be a guest host on a popular morning television talk show. "For my image, it's been huge," Castroneves said of winning the Dancing with the Stars competition.

EXPANDED EXPOSURE

The 32-year-old Brazilian regularly got exposure to a television audience of more than 20 million on the show, giving him a platform to reach the average American. Castroneves is more famous for winning the hit show than for capturing the Indianapolis 500 twice.

Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner and a contestant on the show last season, said he talked to Castroneves about what to expect in the wake of hoisting the Mirror Ball Trophy.

"We had the conversation about what kind of changes his life would take now that everyone would recognize him. I don't think he really believed me," Cuban wrote in an e-mail message. "It's actually just like the casting director tells everyone: 'No matter what you accomplish in life, you could cure the common cold, but you will be recognized and known for being on Dancing with the Stars forever.' She was right."

Castroneves said he is recognized in restaurants, airports, shopping malls and even while paying Miami tolls on the Florida Turnpike.

"We reached new fans that all of a sudden, they know how even to say my name!" Castroneves said. "People used to sometimes say 'Castronova,' 'Cassanova.' A lot of people even say 'Helio,' and for those who don't know how to say my name, they're like, 'Hey, that's the race car driver that can dance.' "

Castroneves is one of the most successful active IndyCar drivers. He has 12 victories, tying him for second with Key Biscayne resident Tony Kanaan. Dan Wheldon has a league-leading 13 victories.

Castroneves' on-track performance, coupled with his bubbly and outgoing personality, has helped him win over non-racing fans. He always has been media-savvy, down-to-earth and approachable, but that didn't turn him into a national sensation. Those same traits, however, along with his dancing prowess, catapulted him into a different stratosphere.

"In the past, he's always tried to figure out how can he become mainstream because he has a personality that is addictive," Penske president Tim Cindric said. "Now he has a connection as a winner on and off the track - and when he does win, and people see his name go across the SportsCenter ticker, they will know him.

"Before, it was just another driver who won a race. It gives the IRL a celebrity who's a winner, which is something they haven't had."

The Indy Racing League's other star, Patrick, has a mass following and is marketable - she appeared in Sports Illustrated's recent swimsuit issue - but she is winless in three seasons and is not as charismatic as Castroneves.

Since becoming the dancing king, Castroneves has developed crossover appeal.

"I think the IRL has been handed the golden ticket, a chance to regain fans," said Castroneves' agent, Stephen Panus. "The run on that show has built a fan base - male and female - that will hopefully want to see what his life is like racing.

"His personality is charming, engaging; he resonates with the people; and he's super-competitive, but, at the end of the day, what Helio is most about is having fun. That really came across on his stint with Dancing with the Stars."

Castroneves has been flooded with interview and appearance requests the past several months. People magazine featured him in its "Sexiest Men Alive" issue, and he graced the covers of ESPN The Magazine and TV Guide. He was on the Rachael Ray Show and even upstaged defending two-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson when they both were on Good Morning America.

Castroneves also was a grand marshal in one of the Mardi Gras parades. He has to rely on his Blackberry to keep track of his busy schedule. His schedule has been so jammed that he didn't take a vacation during IndyCar's more-than-six-month offseason or find time to visit friends and family in his native Sao Paulo.

Aware that his mainstream allure could be fleeting, Castroneves is eager to capitalize on his celebrity - even though it dominated his life.

"If I didn't want it, I would say no and stay home," Castroneves said. "I'm enjoying every minute of it."

Panus characterizes his client's Dancing fame as a "rare opportunity to expand his brand."

"He transcended from athlete to pop celebrity, and he's got the opportunity to keep both of those going," said Panus, who works for Las Vegas-based Prism. The company's clients include former Heat center Shaquille O'Neal and tennis star Andre Agassi.

Castroneves said he does not view his off-track engagements as a preview of what his life could be like when he retires. He said he has no intention of ending his racing career anytime soon.

He ruled out pursuing a career in professional dancing but is open to other forums that would showcase his persona.

His sister and business manager, Kati Castroneves, is taking a bit more of a long-term view.

TAKING ADVANTAGE

"This show was good because people got to meet Helio the way he is, and that's what I meant about 'take advantage right now and get people to know him better,' " she said. "Right now, he's still racing and doesn't want to retire, but maybe later he can do something in the entertainment industry.

"We see this in his future - not near-future, but a little bit further down the line."

For now, Castroneves is focused on his full-time job in the Indy Racing League. Terry Angstadt, president of the league's commercial division, said he expects at least a small percentage of Castroneves' Dancing fan base to monitor his racing career.

Castroneves hopes to help IndyCar grow. He already is accustomed to his new role as one of the league's star attractions and has been fielding more questions from the media and fans about dancing than racing.

"That's what I do for a living, and that's what I want to bring the attention to," Castroneves said. "I want to make sure people continue following where I'm going - and have fun watching me racing, as well.

But he concedes that he might continue receiving more recognition for his dancing exploits.

"I don't mind," Castroneves said. "It's a part of my life now. People sometimes feel upset: 'Oh, we're talking about dancing - I'm sure you're upset about it.'

"I'm like, 'No, when you talk about something that's fun, it's not upsetting.' "