Helio in People magazine “Sexiest Man Alive” issue

Helio Castroneves

There's a double dose of IndyCar Series driver Helio Castroneves currently on newsstands. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and dance partner Julianne Hough are featured on the cover of TV Guide magazine, and Castroneves is included in People magazine's annual "Sexiest Man Alive" issue.

Castroneves and Hough are semifinalists on the top-rated ABC show "Dancing with the Stars." They will perform two dances November 19 (8 p.m. ET) with the goal of reaching the finals.

Castroneves is touted as the "Sexiest Speed Demon" and is making his second appearance in the special issue of People. Other celebrities include Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and Vision Racing co-owner Patrick Dempsey. "I'm excited about it," said Castroneves, who notes in the feature story that women love "my smile and my dimples. It's an opportunity that I don't think it depends upon my look but it's about the way I am, which I think is great. People see that. You don't have to try to be someone else to be sexy. You can be yourself, have fun and still be sexy. I'm honored to be a part of it."

Castroneves' run to the "Dancing with the Stars" semifinals, in which he's the lone male, has given the IndyCar Series an off-season crossover star – and the promotion has largely upstaged the Nextel Cup "championship chase." According to Nielsen Media Research, this week's "Dancing with the Stars" shows drew a combined 37.5 million viewers.

"I know this is going to be great for the future," Castroneves said. "It's great for the series, it's great for me. It's a win-win for everyone. I understand that my role on 'Dancing with the Stars' has gotten me noticed by an entirely new audience, but it's also nice to know that going 200 mph for a living is also considered a glamorous job. It's fun to be recognized not only for my career racing cars, but also my moves on the dance floor." More at IndyCar.com