NASCAR insider weighs in on the chance of Indy legend Hélio Castroneves making his Daytona 500 debut with Trackhouse Racing

Four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Hélio Castroneves is expected to make his NASCAR debut with Trackhouse Racing in the season-opening Daytona 500 next month. The news was brought to light by motorsports insider Jordan Bianchi.

Bianchi took to X to share the news along with his article via The Athletic.

"NEWS: Four-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves to make his NASCAR debut in next month's Daytona 500, driving a car fielded by Trackhouse Racing, sources tell @TheAthletic," he wrote.

An official announcement has yet to be made by Trackhouse Racing on Castroneves' status for next month's Daytona 500. However, Bianchi indicated that sources told The Athletic that an announcement from the team could come as soon as Monday. Bianchi also expects Castroneves to be behind the wheel of the #91 Trackhouse Racing machine, more commonly known to the organization as "Project 91," an entry that's fielded drivers from outside of NASCAR such as Shane van Gisbergen and Kimi Raikkonen.

Bianchi went on to write that Castroneves had previously expressed interest in racing in NASCAR before he retired but added that the 49-year-old failed to find a top-notch ride to do so. Now, he has that opportunity with Trackhouse Racing.

"Enter Trackhouse, owned by Justin Marks, who has made it a point in recent years to provide a platform for notable drivers outside of NASCAR to compete with a race-winning organization that fields three full-time Cup teams," Bianchi wrote.

Castroneves is one of only four drivers in IndyCar history to have won the prestigious Indianapolis 500 four times, winning it in 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2021. The Brazilian driver is also a four-time IndyCar Series runner-up, finishing second in the points standings in 2002, 2008, 2013, and 2014.

Castroneves has the opportunity to put himself in the elite motorsports category should he win this year's Daytona 500. He would join racing icons A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti as the only drivers to win both the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500.

However, Castroneves wouldn't be guaranteed a spot in the 40-car field in next month's race. Of the 40 entries, 36 will be filled by full-time chartered teams. Castroneves would have to lock in a spot with either a fast qualifying time or by racing his way in via the Daytona Duels, which take place the Thursday before the Daytona 500.

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Helio Castroneves competed in three IndyCar Series races in 2024

The storied IndyCar Series career of Hélio Castroneves is winding down after competing on a part-time basis in 2024. Castroneves made three starts behind the wheel for Meyer Shank Racing, scoring a best finish of 19th at Elkhart Late.

Castroneves burst onto the IndyCar scene full-time in 2002. Since then, he's won 25 career races with four Indianapolis 500 victories. Castroneves' last win to date was the 2021 Indianapolis 500.

Outside of IndyCar, Castroneves is also a three-time champion of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He also won the overall IMSA championship in 2020 with Team Penske.