Castroneves to attempt NASCAR debut at Daytona 500 with Trackhouse

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

The four-time Indianapolis 500 winner will crew up with Trackhouse Racing and its Mission 91 programme 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 Brazilian beforehand contested some IROC races on the 2.5-mile superspeedway between 2002 and 2005.

Castroneves will not be the primary Indy 500 winner to aim the occasion, nevertheless it has not occurred since Juan Pablo Montoya final competed in 2013. Solely two earlier Indy 500 winners have additionally gained the Daytona 500 — Mario Andretti (1967) and A.J. Foyt (1972). 

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 Avenue Course race with the latter. Nevertheless, the automobile didn’t make any begins through the 2024 season.

“By no means in my wildest desires did I believe I might enter a NASCAR race and positively not the Daytona 500 with a crew like Trackhouse Racing,” mentioned Castroneves.

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

Castroneves can be amongst a number of open entries within the 500 the place unchartered automobiles should race their manner into the occasion by way of the Duel races.

The open subject is setting as much as be one of many greatest in current 500 historical past and is predicted to incorporate previous Cup champions Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson.

36 automobiles are locked into the sector by way of charters, however the remaining 4 spots within the 40-car grid can be crammed by open entries. Amongst those that are additionally confirmed to aim this 12 months’s Daytona 500 are Mike Wallace, J.J. Yeley and B.J. McLeod. 

Castroneves can be a part of a four-car effort for Trackhouse, which can signify 4 totally different international locations within the season-opening occasion. The Indy 500 champion will compete alongside team-mates Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez, and van Gisbergen.