Judge denies Castroneves' request to delay tax evasion trial

MIAMI -- A federal judge in Miami has rejected requests to delay the tax evasion trial of race car driver Helio Castroneves.

U.S. District Judge Donald Graham on Friday said the March 2 trial date will stand. Lawyers for Castroneves and Penske Racing Inc. had sought a delay until November to ensure he could drive in the 2009 IndyCar Series that runs April to October.

Castroneves is a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner who also won TV's Dancing With The Stars competition in 2007. He's pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and tax evasion involving about $5.5 million in income stashed in offshore accounts.

His sister and business manager, along with his attorney, also are charged in the case.