An auto racing legend will try the for the primary time in 2025.
, a document four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, will make his debut subsequent month. He’ll hit with , which introduced the transfer Monday, for the Feb. 16 Cup Collection opener.
“By no means in my wildest desires did I feel I might enter a NASCAR race and definitely not the Daytona 500 with a group like Trackhouse Racing,” Castroneves stated. “This is a chance that no one of their proper thoughts may ever flip down. I’m so grateful to (sponsor) Wendy’s for permitting me to put on their uniform and drive their automotive.”
Castroneves has hinted at a want to run a Cup race earlier than he retires. Now 49 years outdated, he has spent the vast majority of his profession in IndyCar. He has completed because the championship runner-up 4 occasions.
Regardless of his lack of NASCAR expertise, Castroneves has competed at Daytona earlier than. He’s a , together with his three crowns coming in consecutive years (2021-2023). He didn’t take part in final 12 months’s Rolex.
He most just lately received the Indianapolis 500 in 2021.
Why Trackhouse Racing is giving Helio Castroneves a Daytona 500 alternative
In recent times, Trackhouse has given Cup Collection alternatives to a number of well-known drivers outdoors of NASCAR in a enterprise nicknamed “Mission 91.” Often a three-car operation, the group fields an occasional fourth automotive bearing that quantity.
In 2022, Kimi Raikkonen ran one Cup race in Trackhouse’s No. 91 journey. In 2023, he made one other look. Shane van Gisbergen additionally crammed the seat for 2 races that season.
“Helio is likely one of the best drivers of all time and precisely the kind of driver we wish to carry to NASCAR,” Trackhouse proprietor Justin Marks stated. “I feel race followers world wide might be excited to see Helio in NASCAR’s most prestigious race. It additionally exposes our sport to a worldwide viewers and permits them to see simply how nice of a collection we now have in NASCAR.”
Castroneves will not be assured a place within the Daytona 500 beginning grid. Thirty-six of the 40 spots are taken through chartered rides. If greater than 40 vehicles present up, Castroneves must earn his place in qualifying.
Darian Grubb will function his crew chief.
