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Helio Castroneves Gears Up for Daytona 500 Debut: “It’s a Different Beast”

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
February 12, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Helio Castroneves Gears Up for Daytona 500 Debut: “It’s a Different Beast”

Feb 12, 2025; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Helio Castroneves during Daytona 500 media day at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Helio Castroneves, a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion, is finally getting his shot at NASCAR’s biggest stage, and the excitement is palpable. The IndyCar legend took his first full-speed laps in a NASCAR Cup Series car at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday, an experience that left him grinning behind the helmet—even if he first had to figure out how to get out of the garage.

“I think the camera cannot see the smile behind my helmet, but it was so cool,” Castroneves said after the session.

“I’m like, ‘Oh man, this is tough. This is tough. Oh no, I actually got this stuff.’ So, it was really fun and super exciting. I can’t wait to go back out there again.”

Despite his storied open-wheel career, Castroneves is venturing into the unknown as he prepares to race in the Daytona 500 for Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 entry.


Castroneves’ First NASCAR Cup Series Experience: A Whole New World

The 50-minute practice session on Wednesday was a crucial step, marking Castroneves’ first time behind the wheel of a Cup Series car at Daytona. He logged 13 laps, reaching a speed of 183.460 mph—good enough for 12th-fastest overall.

For a driver accustomed to IndyCar’s precision and immediate response, the transition to a heavy, stock car came with a learning curve.

“The stock car moves a little bit different,” Castroneves explained.

“You have a power steering wheel. The car, when it turns, there’s a little delay. Speed difference… you don’t feel it. IndyCar, because of no power steering, turns a little quicker and is a little heavier. You feel more of everything in the steering wheel.”

While he tested an ARCA car last month at Daytona and ran at Talladega Superspeedway to work on pit road entry and exit, Castroneves has yet to experience the chaos of a full-pack draft—one of the biggest challenges in superspeedway racing.


NASCAR Icons Helping Castroneves Prepare

Understanding the challenge ahead, Castroneves has sought advice from some of NASCAR’s best, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, and Ryan Blaney.

“Every time I’m in the car, I’m going to learn,” Castroneves said.

“So, no matter what happens, I’ll be running.”

With no prior NASCAR experience in a pack race, the next two days will be crucial as he navigates single-car qualifying on Wednesday night and the qualifying duels on Thursday.


Castroneves is Guaranteed a Spot—But He’s Not Taking It Easy

Thanks to an Open Exemption Provisional granted to Trackhouse Racing, Castroneves is guaranteed a place in Sunday’s Daytona 500—even if he doesn’t qualify through traditional means.

However, that doesn’t mean he’s playing it safe.

“I need practice. I need to run. I don’t have any experience at all,” Castroneves emphasized.

“Today is my second time in the car, so I think every moment that I jump in the car, I will learn something. And I need it. I’ll be honest with you: it’s a different beast, it’s an amazing car, it’s completely different rules, and I think the competition is different from what I’m used to.”

Castroneves has no plans to ride around conservatively in the Duel races—he wants to mix it up with NASCAR’s best and get the real experience he needs before the main event.


What’s Next for Castroneves?

With practice complete, Castroneves will:
✔ Make his single-car qualifying run on Wednesday night
✔ Race in the Duels on Thursday night to finalize his starting position
✔ Take on NASCAR’s biggest stage in the Daytona 500 on Sunday

As one of the most accomplished open-wheel drivers in history, Castroneves is ready to prove he can handle stock cars on one of the biggest stages in motorsports.

And one thing’s for sure—he’s having a blast doing it.

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