CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Helio Castroneves, a four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, is set to make his NASCAR debut at next month’s Daytona 500 driving for Trackhouse Racing. This move has come after a two-year pursuit for a seat in the prestigious race, and he has now successfully secured his spot as part of Trackhouse’s innovative “Project 91.” This initiative is specifically designed to allow prominent drivers from outside the traditional NASCAR realm to compete in stock cars.
Castroneves will take the wheel of the No. 91 Chevrolet, sporting sponsorship from Wendy’s, with Darian Grubb as his crew chief. “I never imagined I would get the chance to compete in a NASCAR race, let alone the Daytona 500 with an outstanding team like Trackhouse Racing,” he expressed. “Thank you to Wendy’s for providing this incredible opportunity. It’s something no one would want to miss out on.”
“Project 91” was first introduced in 2022 when former F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen attempted his Cup Series debut at Watkins Glen. In subsequent races in 2023, Raikkonen competed again at the Circuit of the Americas, and Australian V8 Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen raced twice, winning at the Chicago street course in his NASCAR debut. Van Gisbergen’s victory subsequently led him to transition into full-time stock car racing this season.
As for Castroneves, he finds himself in the twilight of his racing career. The Brazilian driver is among an elite group of four individuals to have won the Indianapolis 500 four times alongside legends A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, and Al Unser Sr. Following a long tenure with Team Penske, he shifted into an ownership role at Meyer Shank Racing and participated in a limited schedule last season, competing in only three races. Castroneves clinched his last win in Indianapolis with Meyer Shank, who he joined after departing from Penske.
The Daytona 500, NASCAR’s marquee event, consists of a challenging 2.5-mile oval track, and though Castroneves is a three-time victor at the Rolex 24 endurance race on the road course within Daytona International Speedway, competing in stock cars presents a new challenge. “Hélio represents an extraordinary driver and aligns perfectly with the caliber of talent we aim to attract to NASCAR,” expressed Justin Marks, owner of Trackhouse. “I believe that fans globally will be thrilled to see Hélio participating in NASCAR’s most esteemed race, thus introducing our sport to a wider audience.”
Castroneves boasts an impressive career in IndyCar, with 31 race wins under his belt and four championship runner-up finishes. To secure a place in the Daytona 500 scheduled for February 16, he will need to either clock a fast time during trials or earn his way in through a qualifying race. There are only four available positions in the 40-car field, with 36 spots reserved for chartered teams. Trackhouse operates three chartered cars, but the No. 91 entry does not fall under that category. Van Gisbergen, Ross Chastain, and Daniel Suarez are confirmed participants for the Daytona 500 due to their chartered spots.
Should Castroneves triumph at the Daytona 500, he would join an exclusive club of drivers who have won both the Daytona and Indianapolis 500 races, which currently includes A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti. “I understand the enormity of the challenge ahead, but I am also confident in the caliber of professionals at Trackhouse Racing. I eagerly anticipate visiting their race shop in North Carolina to begin preparations for Daytona. There is a significant amount of knowledge and experience I aspire to gain, and I am prepared for this learning journey,” he added.
This article has been updated to clarify that Trackhouse Racing has three chartered cars, not two, competing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
