Helio Castroneves to aim 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 crew up with Trackhouse Racing and their Venture 91 program for the 67th working of ‘The Nice American Race’ at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. Nonetheless, it will not be his first race on the Daytona oval, because the 49-year-old did run some IROC races on the 2.5-mile superspeedway between 2002 and 2005.

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

Project91 is a particular part-time automobile utilized 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 SVG. Nonetheless, the automobile didn’t make any begins in the course of the 2024 season. Castroneves shall be sponsored by Wendy’s in his Daytona 500 effort, which first partnered with Trackhouse early final yr. Veteran crew chief Darian Grubb will lead the hassle from atop the pit field. Grubb gained the 2006 Daytona 500 as a crew chief for the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports entry with Jimmie Johnson.

“By no means in my wildest desires did I feel I might enter a NASCAR race and definitely not the Daytona 500 with a crew like Trackhouse Racing,” stated Castroneves. “This is a chance that no person 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 shall be amongst a number of open entries within the 500 the place unchartered automobiles must race their method into the occasion by way of the Duel races. The open area is setting as much as be one of many largest in latest 500 historical past and is anticipated to incorporate former Cup champions Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson. 36 automobiles are locked into the sphere by way of charters, however the remaining 4 spots within the 40-car grid shall be crammed by open entries. Amongst those that are additionally confirmed to aim this yr’s Daytona 500 are Mike Wallace, J.J. Yeley and B.J. McLeod. 

Castroneves shall be a part of a four-car effort for Trackhouse, which can 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.