Justin Marks addresses using controversial rule to guarantee Helio Castroneves makes Daytona 500

NASCAR and Trackhouse Racing made waves when it was announced Helio Castroneves would receive a new provisional exemption for the Daytona 500. Justin Marks doesn’t see what the problem is. Then again, he’s the one putting together a ride for the four-time Indy 500 winner.

Justin Marks has been busy revolutionizing what it means to be a NASCAR owner lately. Among his newest power moves is fielding his Project 91 car for Helio Castroneves in the Daytona 500.

Thanks to the new Open Exemption Provisional, Helio has a failsafe. Should he fail to make the 40-car field on the merits of his speed alone, have no fear. Castroneves and the No. 91 team can be added as a special 41st entry.

A lot of fans and media members have not been supportive of the new rule. Critics say it devalues the Daytona 500 and qualifying for the event. Justin Marks doesn’t see it that way.

“I think I understand the philosophy around it,” Marks told Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “I think that if there’s these big names that are going to put more eyeballs on the race and take the sport to new people. Think if one day if we have Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen or somebody like that come and race the Daytona 500 and he like misses a shift on a restart on Thursday and misses the race, it really would take a lot of wind out of the sails. So, I think if you look at the business as an event business as a promotional business, they have the opportunity to make rules like that, make decisions like that. So, I understand it.

“I think, I have to go read it, I think we can still race our way in … and then not use it. That’s what we’re going to be trying to do, that’s a pretty material change to the business being able to race in. I understand the philosophy behind it. That showed up in the charter agreement, everybody read it, I think we were the only ones who put our hands up, everybody could but we did.”

I think Justin Marks knows why there are critics. However, I don’t think he cares all that much. NASCAR put this rule into effect. Trackhouse Racing is simply taking advantage of the rule. So, can you really blame them?

Helio Castroneves is talented enough to make the field. Trackhouse Racing puts together cars that are fast enough to make the field. So, I don’t think this is going to be used at all. Regardless, everyone knows the provisional exists. That is going to hurt the hype.