Helio Castroneves and Trackhouse Racing intend to utilize NASCAR’s new Open Exemption Provisional to secure a starting spot in the 2025 Daytona 500, NASCAR confirmed Friday.
Announced Friday among numerous competition updates ahead of the 2025 season, the Open Exemption Provisional provides a guaranteed starting position “for world-class drivers who enter a NASCAR Cup Series race.” The provisional is similar to a “promoter’s choice provisional” utilized in short-track racing and dirt racing to ensure a high-caliber driver’s entry into a feature race.
Castroneves meets those qualifications as a four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and three-time champion of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Trackhouse Racing announced Castroneves’ entry to the Daytona 500 on Jan. 6 in the team’s No. 91 Chevrolet as part of its Project 91 initiative.
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If Castroneves and Trackhouse opt to utilize the provisional, the starting field of the “Great American Race” will expand to 41 cars from its previous 40-vehicle limit. As part of the rules surrounding the new provisional position, if the provisional is used, neither Castroneves nor Trackhouse would earn points, prize money or any tiebreaker benefit of finishing position. If Castroneves were to win the race, the No. 91 car would receive the trophy and become eligible for the exhibition NASCAR All-Star Race, but the finish would not count toward playoff eligibility. Additionally, the second-place finisher would inherit first-place points but would not receive playoff points or playoff eligibility.
Teams must notify NASCAR of its intention to use the provisional 90 days in advance of an event. Language surrounding the OEP was established in advance of the new Charter agreement, therefore Trackhouse Racing was aware of this provision and met the deadline to request approval for Castroneves’ entry.
Castroneves will also participate in the Feb. 15 Daytona ARCA 200, piloting the No. 82 Pinnacle Racing Group Chevrolet. Castroneves participated in an ARCA Menards Series test at the 2.5-mile Daytona oval Thursday, posting the 27th-fastest speed at 179.465 mph across the two-day session.
The 67th annual Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 16 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).