IndyCar star Helio Castroneves will reportedly attempt to qualify for the 2025 Daytona 500 along with former NASCAR driver Mike Wallace. Castroneves will team up with Trackhouse Racing driving the Project 91 Chevrolet Camaro.
Castroneves is a 49-year-old Brazilian professional racecar driver best known for his IndyCar Series career. While he hasn't won a championship, the driver secured four Indy 500 victories in 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2021.
According to a tweet by motorsports journalist Bobby Parsons, Helio Castroneves will compete as one of the many open teams for the upcoming Daytona 500.
"Indycar's legend Helio Castroneves will attempt to qualify for Daytona 500 this year. With 4 Indy 500 under his belt (tied-record), Castroneves will join Chevy's team Trackhouse Racing into Project91," Parsons wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He concluded by saying about 44 to 46 cars are expected to run at Daytona International Speedway next month, though only 40 will compete in the race.
"44-46 cars are expected to show at Daytona, 40 make the field."
Helio Castroneves will compete against the likes of Mike Wallace to make the 40-car Daytona 500 field. Wallace is a 65-year-old former NASCAR driver who will have another go at the "Great American Race" after 10 years.
Wallace will drive the No. 66 Ford Mustang for MBM Motorsports.
In addition, Parsons reported that Martin Truex Jr. will be part of the drivers attempting to qualify for the season opener. Truex Jr. will debut a car from the Craftsman Truck Series team, Tricon Garage.
The qualifying session, also known as the Bluegreen Vacations Duel, will be held on February 13. The drivers who will make the 40-car field will run in the Daytona 500 race on February 16.
Helio Castroneves set to drive the Trackhouse Racing Project 91 for the Daytona 500
Helio Castroneves will reportedly join Trackhouse Racing for his Daytona 500 attempt next month. He will drive the No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro, a car that Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks introduced to widen the team's reach.
The Project 91 allows international racing drivers to compete in NASCAR.
The No. 91 Chevy debuted with F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen at Watkins Glen in 2022. Before settling with a DNF, the former Ferrari F1 driver made his way to eight after starting from 27th.
In 2023, Raikkonen had another go in the No. 91 at Circuit of the Americas where he finished 29th.
Later in the year, Trackhouse Racing tapped Shane van Gisbergen to drive the No. 91 car on the streets of Chicago. The New Zealander and three-time champ in Australia's Supercars won his first NASCAR race and the league's first street race.
After a quiet 2024 season, the No. 91 Chevy will return to NASCAR with Helio Castroneves behind the wheel. The Brazilian may be more familiar with open-wheel cars but he is no stranger to ovals as evidenced by his four victories at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Castroneves will run alongside Trackhouse Racing drivers Daniel Suarez, Ross Chastain, and Shane van Gisbergen.