During a press release late Monday, Trackhouse Racing revealed that IndyCar Standout Hélio Castroneves will make his NASCAR Debut at the Daytona 500 in February. The 4-time Indy 500 champ will pilot the No. 91 Chevrolet as part of the Project 91 Program. The program was introduced by THR in 2022 to field international drivers from other disciplines. Trackhouse owner Justin Marks touts Castroneves as one of racing’s greats, making him a perfect team asset.”Hélio is one of the greatest drivers of all time and exactly the type of driver we want to bring to NASCAR,” Marks told reporters.
“I think race fans around the world will be excited to see Hélio in NASCAR’s most prestigious race,” he added. Interestingly, THR has been eyeing the No. 6 Dallara Honda driver since 2022, but the wait is now over, and he’s here for it. Hélio Castroneves is eager for another 500 win, but this time behind the wheel of a NASCAR Cup Car. With “The Great American Race” just 50 days away, Marks is eager to get Castroneves on the track to assess his performance, but does he have what it takes?
What Hélio Castroneves Brings to Trackhouse
Hélio Castroneves has been one of the IndyCar NTT Series frontrunners for over two decades, earning his first Indy 500 win with Team Penske in 2001 before his move to Meyer Shank. Over his career, he earned 31 wins, 50 poles, and has won the Rolex at Daytona International Speedway six times. Additionally, Castroneves is only the fourth driver in IndyCar history to win the race four times, joining A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, and Al Unser Sr. The driver is known worldwide for being one of Open Wheel’s greats, so it’s not shocking that THR chose him for the Project 91 Program.
He’s the perfect fit not only for bringing talent from another discipline to NASCAR but also because he’ll appeal to fans. The São Paulo native joins THR as the fourth entry for the Daytona 500 with Ross Chastain, Shane Van Gisbergen, and Daniel Suarez in what he feels is a dream come true. “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,” Hélio Castroneves explained during Monday’s press release. The 49-year-old added that he’s grateful to Wendy’s for their sponsorship and THR for making it possible.
“This is an opportunity that nobody in their right mind could ever turn down,” “I am so thankful to Wendy’s for allowing me to wear their uniform and drive their car and to Justin Marks and everyone that made this happen,” “I wish the race were tomorrow, “Hélio Castroneves added. Though Castroneves is positive he’ll be successful in February, he’s also aware of the work he’ll be putting in. He’s eager to meet his team and 24-time winning NASCAR Crew Chief Darian Grubb, who will get him started by capitalizing on his skills at Daytona. Who knows, maybe this run will set a future in NASCAR.
Can the Meyer-Shank Driver Make the Move Permanent?
As Hélio Castroneves prepares for his NASCAR debut with Trackhouse Project 91, many in the racing community wonder if he’s considering making the move permanent. He’s no stranger to stock car racing, tasting success as a driver in the International Race of Champions IROC from 2002 to 2005. During his three-year stint with IROC, his best finish was fourth in 2002, and he earned two podiums. From 2003 to 2005, his average finishes edged between 9 to 12. This is impressive for someone who has spent most of his career in Open-Wheel.
Castroneves also has experience in IMSA Sportscar and SRX, earning an IMSA title with Meyer-Shank teammate Ricky Taylor. In SRX, Hélio Castroneves saw similar success, securing a single featured win, twelve starts, two podiums, and four heat wins. So, he undoubtedly has the experience he needs to make strides at Daytona, but there’s only one problem. He must qualify at the top as an unchartered Trackhouse driver. Currently, the only other non-chartered teams on the field are 23XL Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
Each team is expected to run 3 drivers in 2025, leaving Hélio Castroneves with little breathing room to qualify on Daytona’s 200-lap oval. His initial attempt to qualify for the 500 will occur on Thursday, February 13th, at 7 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) at the Bluegreen Duel. Yet, he must bring the heat if he wishes to move on to the next round, but it shouldn’t be hard as he bands with Project 91 teammates and fellow racing greats Van Gisbergen, Suarez, and Chastain. However, all eyes will surely be on Castroneves, what he brings to the table, and whether he’ll make NASCAR a more permanent career, so stay tuned.
Final Thoughts
As he prepares to venture into an unfamiliar discipline with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91, Hélio Castroneves remains optimistic. For nearly 25 years, the Meyer-Shank driver has raced in multiple disciplines, from IMSA to SRX, but NASCAR was only a dream. Now, that dream has finally become a reality thanks to Trackhouse owner Justin Marks pushing the envelope for his entry. Castroneves also credits the $3.2 billion restaurant giant Wendy’s for the sponsorship and for giving their brand and Project 91 visibility. It’s all up from here, and the 49-year-old is ready, but will he clinch another 500 win from the NASCAR angle?
