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Scott Dixon Eyes Daytona 500 Entry as Helio Castroneves Makes NASCAR Cup Debut

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
February 17, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Scott Dixon Eyes Daytona 500 Entry as Helio Castroneves Makes NASCAR Cup Debut

Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon celebrates winning the NTT IndyCar Series of Detroit Grand Prix in downtown Detroit on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

For IndyCar legend Helio Castroneves, the Daytona 500 was never part of the plan. But in 2025, the four-time Indianapolis 500 champion finds himself on the grid, thanks to Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 and NASCAR’s new Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) rule.

Now, just as Castroneves prepares for his NASCAR Cup Series debut, another IndyCar icon is hinting at a potential leap into stock car racing.

Scott Dixon—six-time IndyCar champion and one of the most decorated drivers in motorsports history—is considering taking on The Great American Race.

Scott Dixon Drops Five-Word Daytona 500 Bombshell

Dixon, a dominant force in IndyCar with 56 career wins, has never raced in NASCAR’s top series. However, while rooting for Jimmie Johnson ahead of the 67th Daytona 500, Dixon made an eye-opening admission:

“There’s always a chance…”

Speaking to Frontstretch, Dixon revealed that he and Jimmie Johnson had been discussing a possible NASCAR entry.

“Jimmie [Johnson] and I were actually talking about it this morning. Obviously, there’s lots of things you have to work out, but we’ll try to figure something out.”

Dixon, who was teammates with Johnson in IndyCar, hasn’t been at Daytona’s biggest race in a decade but admitted that the experience had him thinking about a potential future in stock cars.

“I’m excited to be back here and cheering on Jimmie and a few other friends I’ve got here. It’s been about 10 years since I’ve last been here, since the last time I’ve been to the [Daytona] 500.”

Could Dixon Enter NASCAR Using the OEP Rule?

Dixon’s comments come at a pivotal time for NASCAR, as the new OEP rule (Open Exemption Provisional) allows “world-class drivers” to bypass qualifying for a guaranteed spot in a race.

The rule has already paved the way for Castroneves’ Daytona 500 entry—despite struggles in qualifying and a wreck in the Duels—and Dixon perfectly fits the criteria for an exemption.

With NASCAR’s continued push for global appeal, a racing superstar like Dixon making a one-off or even a part-time Cup Series appearance could be huge for the sport.

Dixon’s NASCAR-Style Experience: A Solid Foundation for Success?

While Dixon has never competed in a NASCAR Cup Series race, he’s not a complete stranger to Daytona’s intense racing environment:

  • 2004 IROC Series: Competed at Daytona, finishing eighth
  • Rolex 24 at Daytona: Multiple-time competitor, showcasing his endurance and adaptability
  • 56 IndyCar Wins: The most of any active driver, proving he’s still in his prime

Dixon’s resume checks every box for a driver who could seamlessly transition to stock car racing.

Meanwhile, Castroneves’ Daytona 500 Prep Has Been a Rollercoaster

While Dixon contemplates a future in NASCAR, Helio Castroneves is already taking on the challenge—but his speedweeks have been anything but smooth.

During Duel 1 qualifying, Castroneves was caught in a multi-car crash, but his real trouble came when he attempted to limp the car back to pit road.

In an unfortunate sequence, he crashed again while entering pit lane, ultimately failing to return to the track. Despite his efforts to race his way in, he had to rely on the OEP rule to secure his spot in the Daytona 500.

Still, Castroneves had one shining moment before the Cup Series race—delivering a blazing performance in his ARCA debut, proving that he’s not afraid of stock car mayhem.

Is Scott Dixon Next? NASCAR’s Cross-Series Experiment is Just Getting Started

As NASCAR continues to embrace crossover drivers, the arrival of Castroneves and potentially Dixon signals a new wave of global talent entering the sport.

Dixon’s five-word tease might have been subtle, but the message is clear:

An IndyCar great could soon be chasing stock car glory.

And if Dixon ever makes the leap, NASCAR’s new OEP rule may be his best ticket to Daytona.

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