Four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Hélio Castroneves is set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the 2025 Daytona 500, driving the No. 91 Wendy’s Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 entry. The announcement, made today by Trackhouse Racing, gives the Brazilian racing legend a shot at joining Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt as the only drivers to win both the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would enter a NASCAR race, let alone the Daytona 500 with a team like Trackhouse Racing,” said Castroneves. “This is an opportunity that nobody in their right mind could ever turn down. I wish the race were tomorrow!”
Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks launched PROJECT91 in 2022 to introduce international racing stars to NASCAR. Castroneves will become the fifth driver to compete in the program, following Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen and Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen, who made history in 2023 by winning his Cup Series debut in the Chicago Street Race.
Marks sees Castroneves as a perfect fit for PROJECT91. “Hélio is one of the greatest drivers of all time and exactly the type of driver we want to bring to NASCAR,” Marks said. “I think race fans around the world will be excited to see Hélio in NASCAR’s most prestigious race.”
Darian Grubb, a former Cup Series champion crew chief with Tony Stewart, will lead Castroneves’ No. 91 team at Daytona.
Castroneves, 49, is one of only four drivers to have won the Indianapolis 500 four times (2001, 2002, 2009, and 2021). He was also runner-up in the IndyCar Series championship four times and won the 24 Hours of Daytona three times.
Though the Daytona 500 will be his first NASCAR Cup Series start, Castroneves has experience in stock cars and closed-wheel racing, including 16 starts in the International Race of Champions (IROC) and appearances in the Supercars Championship and Brazil’s Stock Car Pro Series.
Known for his “Spider-Man” victory celebrations—climbing the fence after wins—Castroneves remains one of the most popular figures in motorsports. His charisma extends beyond racing. He won Dancing with the Stars in 2007 and has made numerous TV appearances, including The Oprah Winfrey Show and Entertainment Tonight.
The Daytona 500 is known as “The Great American Race,” and Castroneves hopes to add another historic milestone to his legendary career. “I know how much of a challenge this is going to be,” he said. “But I can’t wait to get to the Trackhouse race shop, meet everyone, and prepare for Daytona.”
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