Helio Castroneves to attempt Daytona 500 with Trackhouse

Helio Castroneves has by no means run a NASCAR race at any stage, however he’ll intention to make his debut within the largest race of all of them.

The Brazilian racer and four-time Indy 500 Champion will workforce up with Trackhouse Racing and their Undertaking 91 program for the 67th working of ‘The Nice American Race’ at Daytona Worldwide Speedway.

Nevertheless, it will not be his first race on the Daytona oval, because the 49-year-old beforehand contested some IROC races on the 2.5-mile superspeedway between 2002 and 2005.

Castroneves will not be the primary Indy 500 champion to try the occasion, however it has not occurred since Juan Pablo Montoya final competed in 2013. Solely two former Indy 500 winners have ever received the Daytona 500 — Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt. 

Project91 is a particular part-time automobile utilised by Trackhouse as an all-star entry in choose occasions since 2022. It has made appearances with each Kimi Raikkonen and Shane van Gisbergen, together with a victory within the 2023 Chicago Road Course race with the latter.

Nevertheless, the automobile didn’t make any begins throughout the 2024 season. Castroneves will probably be sponsored by Wendy’s in his Daytona 500 effort, which first partnered with Trackhouse early final 12 months.

“By no means in my wildest desires did I feel I’d enter a NASCAR race and definitely not the Daytona 500 with a workforce like Trackhouse Racing,” stated Castroneves.

“This is a chance that no one of their proper thoughts might ever flip down. I’m so grateful to Wendy’s for permitting me to put on their uniform and drive their automobile, (Trackhouse proprietor) Justin Marks and everybody that made this occur. I want the race had been tomorrow!”

Castroneves will probably be amongst a number of open entries within the 500 the place unchartered vehicles should race their method into the occasion through the Duel races.

The open discipline is setting as much as be one of many largest in latest 500 historical past and is predicted to incorporate former Cup champions Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson.

36 vehicles are locked into the sector through charters, however the last 4 spots within the 40-car grid will probably be stuffed by open entries. Amongst those that are additionally confirmed to try this 12 months’s Daytona 500 are Mike Wallace, J.J. Yeley and B.J. McLeod. 

Castroneves will probably be a part of a four-car effort for Trackhouse, which is able to characterize 4 completely different international locations within the season-opening occasion. The Indy 500 champion will compete alongside teammates Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez, and van Gisbergen.