Helio Castroneves stamped his place in motor sports history as one of the best drivers in IndyCar history. In 2021, Castroneves tied the record for most Indianapolis 500 victories when he won “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” for the fourth time.
Now, the legendary racer will attempt to take on another iconic race: the 2025 Daytona 500.
Castroneves, 49, will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Daytona International Speedway beginning Feb. 12 when he takes his first laps in Daytona 500 practice, driving the No. 91 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing. The team fields full-time Cup Series rides for Ross Chastain (No. 1 Chevrolet), Shane van Gisbergen (No. 88 Chevrolet) and Daniel Suarez (No. 99 Chevrolet).
Castroneves has been a staple in North American open-wheel racing for more than 25 years. While he is most synonymous with his Indy 500 triumphs, Castroneves has earned 25 career wins in the NTT IndyCar Series and six wins in the former Champ Car Series, competing every year since 1998. In all, the Brazil native has 94 podium finishes across both series.
But for all his success, Castroneves had never tried his hand at NASCAR, though he does have some experience racing stock cars. Castroneves made 16 IROC starts from 2002-05, with a best finish of second at where else, Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And while IndyCar does not race at Daytona, Castroneves is quite familiar with the iconic speedway. He has won the Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car race three times, most recently in 2023.
Trackhouse has been trying to lure Castroneves to the Daytona 500 for a few years as part of its “Project 91” program. The goal of the project, created by Trackhouse owner Justin Marks, has been to attract highly accomplished drivers from other forms of motor sports to compete in a top-level NASCAR race. Kimi Räikkönen, the 2007 Formula One world champion, was the project’s first driver, making his debut in 2022 at Watkins Glen International.
Castroneves now will finally get his Daytona 500 shot, just a few months shy of his 50th birthday.