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The Indy 500 race car champ also tells us: He was a big fan of Erin Andrews this season!

How did former Dancing with the Stars champion Helio Castroneves stay in shape for today’s big Indy Race Race? “I box,” he told me. “It’s really important to have a strong neck and upper body to deal with the G-forces in the car and to steer.”

And while he’s never met Erin Andrews, he liked her spirit of competition in the face of a pro dancer (Nicole Scherzinger) and a pro athlete (Evan Lysacek.)

Helio also revealed the tips he’s been texting to this year’s competitors and their partners — that’s how he keeps in touch with the DWTS alumni!

Now, what did Castroneves think of Kate Gosselin‘s, 35, on the show? “She was stiff,” he told me. “I kept telling Tony — you’ve got to get her relaxed. He’d say, ‘I’m trying, I’m trying,” Castronoves said. “And believe me, Tony was the best partner she could have.”

Now watch Helio tell you all about DWTS and the Indy 500!