The long-awaited and extremely anticipated NASCAR debut of Helio Castroneves will happen subsequent month at Daytona Worldwide Speedway.
Trackhouse Racing introduced Monday it would subject a automotive for Castroneves to aim to qualify for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16. The entry, Mission 91, shall be a fourth automotive for Castroneves that might want to earn a spot within the 40-car subject both by his single-car qualifying velocity or from The Duel qualifying race. Castroneves shall be teammates with Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen and Daniel Suarez.
“Helio is likely one of the best drivers of all time and precisely the kind of driver we need to deliver to NASCAR,” Justin Marks stated. “I believe race followers all over the world shall be excited to see Helio in NASCAR’s most prestigious race. It additionally exposes our sport to a world viewers and permits them to see simply how nice of a collection we’ve got in NASCAR.”
Darian Grubb will function the crew chief for Castroneves. Wendy’s would be the sponsor of the automotive.
“By no means in my wildest goals did I believe I might enter a NASCAR race and definitely not the Daytona 500 with a staff like Trackhouse Racing,” Castroneves stated. “This is a chance that no person 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 automotive, Justin Marks and everybody that made this occur. I want the race have been tomorrow.”
Mission 91 debuted in 2022 with Kimi Raikkonen at Watkins Glen. Van Gisbergen made his debut within the automotive in 2023, profitable on the streets of Chicago.
Castroneves, 49, is a four-time Indianapolis 500 winner who has spent many years competing in open-wheel racing. He has 30 profession victories and was runner-up within the IndyCar Sequence championship 4 instances.
Moreover, Castroneves is a three-time winner of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Castroneves additionally competed within the IROC Sequence (2002-2005) in addition to in Supercars and Brazil’s inventory automotive collection.
“I understand how a lot of a problem that is going to be, however I additionally know the kind of folks and staff Trackhouse Racing will deliver to the hassle,” Castroneves stated. “I can’t wait to get to the Trackhouse race store in North Carolina to satisfy everybody and put together for Daytona. There’s a lot I need to be taught and I’m able to get began.”
Castroneves will look to comply with Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt as drivers who’ve gained each the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500.
