Helio Castroneves' biggest challenge ahead of the Daytona 500

At 49 years old, Helio Castroneves remains a charismatic personality and energetic driver with a notable record: he won the Indianapolis 500 four times and obtained three consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona. But the challenge that “Spider Man” will have to face next month in the Daytona 500 This is something completely new, since he has never driven a NASCAR stock car at any level.and his only experience on the oval track was twenty years ago, when he raced in IROC.

The idea of ​​participating in the most important race in the world NASCAR Cup Series arrived recentlyand gained strength when the Brazilian took part in the Superstar Racing Experience. Series executive director Don Hawk promised to help the legendary driver secure a spot in the Feb. 16 event if he won an SRX race, which Castroneves did in 2022. The Latin American rider said that from that moment on, the idea started to “grow like a snowball”, which led to a connection with the team owner. Track racing, Justin Marquesknown for its Project 91 program, which was used as a launching pad in NASCAR for global motorsport stars such as Kimi Räikkönen and Shane van Gisbergen.

It's a “no” from the Captain

“Last year we couldn't do it“Castroneves said Tuesday during a press conference, but now all the pieces are finally in place. The four-time Indy 500 winner has long wanted to compete in NASCAR, but it was never possible, not even when he was driving Thought in the IndyCar.

“It’s something I’ve thought about. I’ve always wanted to do it. When I was racing with Penske, I thought about it, but Roger never let me. But now I'm going to do it, finally! We have to keep pushing. “We have to continue to believe that one day this dream will come true, and here we are.”

Although the veteran driver has no experience in NASCAR, He has some experience at the 2.5-mile superspeedway from the early 2000s.. Any bit of that experience could come in handy as you work your way through the field of 40 cars that will compete in the Duelson February 15, the date on which participation in the Daytona 500 is assured.

And this is no easy feat, even for the most experienced pilots. Last year, the seven-time NASCAR champion and two-time winner at DaytonaJimmie Johnson, He almost missed the 500m before a fall on the last lap saved him.. “It will be a challenge,” admitted Castroneves. “There's no doubt about it. It's a big and difficult oval. There will be a lot of fearless rivals, but I have a big group behind me.”

Trackhouse is a team suited to mentoring drivers with little or no experience. The purpose of your program Project 91 is to create and foster a pathway for star drivers from various disciplines to race in the stock car class, typically those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to do so. “They've done it before, when people had no experience, and they understand it” Castroneves continued. “They guide me. “They are doing everything they can.”

Castroneves' preparations and biggest challenge

Preparing for the big NASCAR Cup Series race includes simulator work, a shakedown at Talladega and, as revealed Wednesday, participation in the start of the 2025 ARCA season at Daytona. Van Gisbergen followed a similar path ahead of the 2024 season.

“[He estado en] “amazing facilities with Chevrolet,” Castroneves commented on his experience in the NASCAR manufacturer's simulator.I have worked with Chevrolet for many years and couldn't believe how amazing the Charlotte facility was.. I was able to learn a little bit, working on the pit stops and the pitlane, the whole qualifying process. “It was very helpful.”

His biggest challenge (in his own words) for the Daytona 500 will be the slowest part of the track, pit road. In NASCAR there is no speed limiter in the pits like in IndyCarand drivers must closely monitor their speed when driving close to each other and through each dangerous section of garages.

Boxing will also be an adjustment. “In IndyCar, you park as close to the wall as possible because of the fuel tank. In NASCAR cars you actually have to be a little further away for the jack to lift the car, so there are a few tricks“.

With the simulator work, the Talladega test and the ARCA race, Castroneves won't be going in blind, but he will still have a lot to learn in a short time. “Just like when I was on Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), I have no idea what's going to happen,” she said. But hey, he won the competition in 2007.

If Castroneves made it to the race and did the improbable, winning the Daytona 500, it would be a truly exceptional feat. Only two drivers have won the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500: Mario Andretti, winner at Daytona in 1967, two years before his triumph at Indianapolis, and AJ Foyt, winner of the Daytona 500 in 1972.