“Helio is in the Daytona 500 already”: NASCAR Insider delivers new rules on ‘significant drivers’ eligibility

Ahead of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, the governing body has introduced several rule changes influenced by controversies from the previous year. Updates include adjustments to the Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP), stricter penalties for OEM race manipulation, and clarified guidelines for playoff waivers.

Among these, the new Open Exemption Provisional Rule has sparked significant buzz within the NASCAR community. Recently, Insider Jeff Gluck explained the new rule, while also confirming the presence of a 'significant driver.'

"Oh man. Here's a doozy: There's now something called an "open exemption provisional." A well-known driver who is a "significant contributor" from another series (NASCAR drivers not eligible) now automatically will make a Cup race. So...Helio is IN THE DAYTONA 500 already." Gluck wrote on X

This post confirmed the presence of the four-time runner-up of the IndyCar Series, Hélio Castroneves. Castroneves will run as the 41st entry in the Daytona 500, adding to the traditional 40 cars in the crown jewel event. The Athletic's famed journalist further extended his remarks and wrote:

FOLKS -- there's more -- this wouldn't just be a provisional like a past champion's provisional where it's a spot in the 40-car field. IT IS AN EXTRA SPOT. A 41st car! A 41st starting position may be added if a team utilizes an Open Exemption Provisional as long as the team has requested, and NASCAR has approved, the Open Exemption Provisional."

The rule will only allow an OEP to world-class drivers from different disciplines of motorsport. Cup Series drivers will not be eligible for this exemption. Moreover, the 41st entry will be decided on a case-to-case basis for OEP entries.

Meanwhile, four-time Indy 500 winner Hélio Castroneves will participate in the 2024 Daytona 500, in partnership with Trackhouse Racing. The race is scheduled for February 16 at 2:30 PM Easter time.

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"This could be a biggie": Jeff Gluck reflects on NASCAR's new playoff waiver policy

NASCAR's rule change for granting waivers to playoff drivers was bound to be updated after HMS driver Kyle Larson's failed double attempt last year, which led to him missing the Coke 600. Larson was granted the waiver to be eligible for the playoffs despite missing a regular season race.

The new policy, however, states that waivers will only be granted to drivers for medical reasons. Jeff Gluck explained hy writing:

"Playoff waiver policy has changed, and this could be a biggie. If a driver needs a waiver for a non-medical reason (aka Larson getting that Coke 600) waiver, they lose *all of their playoff points for the entire season.* All of their playoff points they already had AND any they might have. So Larson would have started the playoffs with zero."

The updated playoff waiver rule introduces significant changes for the 2025 Cup Series season. A new clause specifies that drivers suspended from a race will forfeit all accrued playoff points, adding a stricter penalty for infractions. Additionally, NASCAR has clarified that decisions regarding the granting or denial of playoff waivers will be deemed final and non-appealable.