The 2025 Daytona 500, NASCAR’s premier event, is all geared up to take place on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Daytona International Speedway. While the drivers get ready for some tough races, this year’s competition has a notable entry.
Four-time Indianapolis 500 champion, Hélio Castroneves will compete in the No. 91 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing. With the new Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) rule,
Castroneves will be eligible to start the race even if he does not qualify through traditional means.
Hélio Castroneves Welcomes the Challenges Ahead of Daytona 500
Following the announcement of the OEP rule, many NASCAR drivers have called it out for being controversial with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin saying that he does not really think the rule is fair. Echoing Hamlin’s opinion, Chase Elliott also felt that the new OEP rule took away from the integrity of the Daytona 500 as it allowed drivers from other forms of racing an easy entry route into such a prestigious competition.
Castroneves, who has already made a name for himself in open-wheel racing, is looking forward to stepping into the world of stock car racing. Speaking about the OEP rule during a NASCAR Media Day in Daytona Beach, Fla., he said, “I’m not the one that writes the rule book. I mean, I do know that technically these rules exist. So when we take on this opportunity, we take on to go and compete.”
Despite the new rule Castroneves does not plan to take it easy and aims to push his hardest to qualify without it. “I’ve always went in thinking that I’m going to try and race my way in and hope for the best. Obviously, I was very happy to hear about the recent scenario of the [provisional option], and I’m going to try not to use it. However, if I have to use it, I’ll take it.”
This means Castroneves could still participate in the race, starting in the 41st position if he doesn’t make it through the Duel at Daytona races or qualifying. While the OEP provides an opportunity, it also creates an uphill battle, as he will have to face fierce competition, especially with NASCAR’s top-tier drivers vying for the remaining spots.
Castroneves aims to become the third driver in history to win both the Indy 500 and Daytona 500, joining the likes of A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti.
