Helio Castroneves reveals Roger Penske blocked his NASCAR dream during IndyCar career

IndyCar Series driver Helio Castroneves has revealed that during his time at Team Penske, team owner Roger Penske did not allow him to pursue NASCAR opportunities.

Castroneves will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at the 2025 Daytona 500 with Trackhouse Racing’s No. 91 Wendy’s Chevrolet as part of the team’s Project 91 program. He competed in the IndyCar Series for Team Penske until 2020.

Castroneves told SiriusXM NASCAR producer and host Davey Segal about his plans to race in NASCAR. The 49-year-old also shared how winning the SRX race sparked the interest of Donald Hawk, owner of Hawk Sports Management, who later approached Justin Marks.

"@h3lio said he's always wanted to try #NASCAR going back to his #IndyCar days at @Team_Penske, but Roger didn't allow him to do so. Once he won the SRX race and @HawkSMI started asking around, @TeamTrackhouse made sense. Also points to his limited IROC experience at @DAYTONA," Segal wrote on X.

The Sao Paulo, Brazil native has never raced in NASCAR but has experience with high-speed events like IROC races at Daytona and Talladega and the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

"I wouldn’t put myself in this position if I didn’t think I could do it," Helio Castroneves told Claire B. Lang.

Castroneves must earn one of four open spots in the 40-car field through the Duel races to qualify for the Daytona 500. The field is set to include Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson with 36 guaranteed spots and four open entries. The Duels are scheduled for February 13.

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"I don't think there should be any concern" - Veteran journalist on Helio Castroneves's NASCAR Cup Series debut

Helio Castroneves, one of the few Indy 500 winners to race in the Daytona 500, will attempt to race the event after Juan Pablo Montoya in 2013. He has three 24 Hours of Daytona wins, the 2020 IMSA title, and is one of only four drivers with four Indy 500 victories

Fox Sport's Bob Pockrass defended Castroneves' upcoming NASCAR debut on X.

"Castroneves has four IROC starts at Daytona and one at Talladega. Granted 20 years ago but he also is used to high speeds at Indy and has driven the Rolex 24 at Daytona as recently as 2023. I don't think there should be any concern," Pockrass wrote.

Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 program brings international racing stars to NASCAR. Helio Castroneves will race alongside teammates Ross Chastain, Daniel Suárez, and Shane van Gisbergen, representing four different countries, Brazil, US, Mexico, and New Zealand at Daytona.

The season-opening event will take place on February 16, 2025.