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Helio Castroneves crew chief, sponsor revealed for Daytona 500 with Trackhouse Racing

JHby:Jonathan Howard•01/06/25•

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Helio Castroneves NASCAR Daytona
Grace Hollars/IndyStar via Imagn Content Services, LLC

For his maiden voyage in the Daytona 500, Helio Castroneves has a winning crew chief and a notable sponsor on his Project 91 car. The four-time Indianapolis 500 champion is going to make an attempt to qualify for The Great American Race.

Helio Castroneves is tied for the most Indianapolis 500 wins with legends such as Rick Mears, Al Unser, and AJ Foyt. Castroneves will try to win the Daytona 500 and join Foyt and Mario Andretti as the only drivers to ever win the two races.

Trackhouse Racing is putting Darian Grubb on the pit box as crew chief. Wendy’s will be the sponsor for the Project 91 car. Castroneves will have a great team behind him for his effort.

Darian Grubb has won 24 Cup Series races as a crew chief. He won the 2011 Cup championship with Tony Stewart. His role in this Daytona 500 attempt will be massive. Castroneves couldn’t ask for a better crew chief among those available.

“I know how much of a challenge this is going to be, but I also know the type of people and team Trackhouse Racing will bring to the effort,” said Castroneves in a press release. “I can’t wait to get to the Trackhouse race shop in North Carolina to meet everyone and prepare for Daytona. There is so much I must learn and I’m ready to get started.”

Justin Marks continues to make great moves. Having Helio Castroneves in the 91 car is a dream deal. While NASCAR pushes to be more global, Trackhouse and Marks are at the forefront of the effort.

Helio Castroneves taking on the Daytona 500

During his career, Helio Castroneves has accomplished so much. Even late in his career. On top of his 2021 Indy 500 victory, he has gone on to win three Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona races and an IMSA championship between 2020 and 2023.

Entering a NASCAR race for the first time won’t be easy. These are heavy stock cars. But with how talented Castroneves is, I’m not sure he is going to struggle much when it comes to adapting to the car.

On top of his innate skills as a racer, the 49-year-old will also have a practice session. That is something drivers have simply not had for a number of years at the Daytona 500. Being able to dial in the car and dial himself in could be the difference between simply making the race and competing for the win.

Helio Castroneves will make the Daytona 500. I truly believe that. From there, anything is possible. We know that Trackhouse Racing has the equipment to compete up front in a race like Daytona. If he’s in that front pack when the white flag waves, anything is possible.