Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will drive a Penske-run Acura DPi in next year's IMSA Sportscar Championship.
The 42-year-old Brazilian is the third driver to be announced on the new-for-2018 programme, with Juan Pablo Montoya and Dane Cameron already listed as team-mates in one of two Acura ARX-05 prototypes.
Castroneves' transition to sportscar racing means he will not continue as a full-time Penske IndyCar driver after 18 years with the team, although he is set to enter the Indy 500 next May.
Since making his debut with Penske's open-wheel division in 2000, Castroneves has accrued 30 race wins and 50 pole positions, plus seven championship top-three finishes.
“Helio has been a valuable member of Team Penske for almost 20 years and we are looking forward to sharing more success together,” said Roger Penske.
“This represents a new challenge for him and I know he is excited about the opportunity."
"Having established winning drivers like Helio and Juan, teaming up with young and talented racers that know the series like Dane Cameron, will help give our new sports car program a solid foundation as we head into the 2018 season.”
Castroneves was heavily rumoured for the full-time sportscar seat after being confirmed to race with Penske in this weekend's IMSA season finale at Road Atlanta.
In a prelude to the Acura DPi's debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona next January, Penske will run an ORECA 07-Gibson for Castroneves, Montoya and fellow IndyCar star Simon Pagenaud.
Castroneves won his class at the 10-hour Petit Le Mans event in 2008, driving a Penske-run Porsche RS Spyder Evo with Ryan Briscoe, and has also finished on the podium at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
“I’ve been fortunate to achieve a lot of my personal goals with Team Penske over the years,” said Castroneves.
“Helping Roger, the team and everyone with Acura start this program and build it from the ground up will be another big challenge and a great opportunity in my career.
"I am proud of everything we have accomplished together in IndyCar and now I am focused on helping to develop the ARX-05 to try and win the 24 Hours of Daytona and the IMSA championship in 2018 with Acura."
The Acura DPi project is being administered by Honda Performance Development in association with Penske, utilising a car based on the ORECA 07 global-spec LMP2 racer.
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