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An auto racing legend will attempt the Daytona 500 for the first time in 2025.
Helio Castroneves, a record four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, will make his NASCAR debut next month. He will hit Daytona International Speedway with Trackhouse Racing, which announced the move Monday, for the Feb. 16 Cup Series opener.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would enter a NASCAR race and certainly not the Daytona 500 with a team like Trackhouse Racing,” Castroneves said. “This is an opportunity that nobody in their right mind could ever turn down. I am so thankful to (sponsor) Wendy’s for allowing me to wear their uniform and drive their car.”
Castroneves has hinted at a desire to run a Cup race before he retires. Now 49 years old, he has spent the majority of his career in IndyCar. He has finished as the championship runner-up four times.
Despite his lack of NASCAR experience, Castroneves has competed at Daytona before. He’s a three-time Rolex 24 champion, with his three crowns coming in consecutive years (2021-2023). He did not participate in last year’s Rolex.
He most recently won the Indianapolis 500 in 2021.
Project 91: Why Trackhouse Racing is giving Helio Castroneves a Daytona 500 opportunity
In recent years, Trackhouse has given Cup Series opportunities to multiple well-known drivers outside of NASCAR in a venture nicknamed “Project 91.” Usually a three-car operation, the team fields an occasional fourth car bearing that number.
In 2022, Kimi Raikkonen ran one Cup race in Trackhouse’s No. 91 ride. In 2023, he made another appearance. Shane van Gisbergen also filled the seat for two races that season.
“Helio is one of the greatest drivers of all time and exactly the type of driver we want to bring to NASCAR,” Trackhouse owner Justin Marks said. “I think race fans around the world will be excited to see Helio in NASCAR’s most prestigious race. It also exposes our sport to a global audience and allows them to see just how great of a series we have in NASCAR.”
Castroneves is not guaranteed a position in the Daytona 500 starting grid. Thirty-six of the 40 spots are taken via chartered rides. If more than 40 cars show up, Castroneves will have to earn his place in qualifying.
Darian Grubb will serve as his crew chief.
(This story was updated to add a gallery.)
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona 500: Helio Castroneves will make NASCAR debut in 2025