Trackhouse Racing on the verge of NASCAR history with potential Helio Castroneves Daytona 500 start

IndyCar Series driver Helio Castroneves will enter this year’s Daytona 500 under the banner of Trackhouse Racing. According to renowned journalist Joseph Srigley, Castroneves’ entry in NASCAR’s crown jewel event will make history. Recently, Srigley dropped a post that explained how.

For the first time in the history of NASCAR, Trackhouse Racing is going to field four drivers from four different countries; Ross Chastain from the USA, Shane van Gisbergen from New Zealand, Daniel Suarez from Spain, and, of course, Castroneves from Brazil.

Reporting the same, Srigley wrote:

“In the 2025 #Daytona500, @TeamTrackhouse will become the first organization in #NASCAR history to have drivers from four different countries in one race.”

“🇺🇸: Ross Chastain (#1)”

“🇳🇿: Shane Van Gisbergen (#88)”

“🇧🇷: Hélio Castroneves (#91)”

“🇲🇽: Daniel Suárez (#99)”

Castroneves is no stranger to fast race cars. After all, he is a four-time Indianapolis 500 winner. But he never imagined racing in NASCAR, let alone in the famous Daytona 500 with Trackhouse Racing.

“This is an opportunity that nobody in their right mind could ever turn down,” Helio Castroneves said. I am so thankful to Wendy’s (Castroneves’ sponsor) for allowing me to wear their uniform and drive their car.”

Ross Chastain, the driver of the No. 1 Chevy Camaro for Trackhouse Racing, couldn't wait to be teammates with Castroneves. This is what he tweeted recently on X:

Helio Castroneves gets real about NASCAR debut as he keeps “unrealistic” goals aside

In a recent interview, Helio Castroneves was asked what he expected from his first-ever NASCAR race. Notably, the 49-year-old speedster has driven closed-roof cars before in several IROC races between 2002 and 2005 besides making select starts in the Supercars and Brazil stock car series.

Still, Castroneves said that expecting a win would be unrealistic. He explained:

“I know how much of a challenge this is going to be, but I also know the type of people and team Trackhouse Racing will bring to the effort. I can’t wait to get to the Trackhouse race shop in North Carolina to meet everyone and prepare for Daytona. There is so much I must learn and I’m ready to get started.”

Adding Castroneves to Project 91 by Trackhouse Racing will only help expose the sport to a global audience, drawing more eyeballs toward NASCAR. Team owner Justin Marks reflected on the same and said:

“Helio is one of the greatest drivers of all time and exactly the type of driver we want to bring to NASCAR. I think race fans around the world will be excited to see Hélio in NASCAR’s most prestigious race. It also exposes our sport to a global audience and allows them to see just how great of a series we have in NASCAR.”

The race is scheduled for 2:30 pm ET on February 16. Fans can watch it live on FOX or listen to radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.