New NASCAR rule guarantees Helio Castroneves for Daytona 500

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Helio Castroneves is set to run his first Daytona 500; A new NASCAR rule will guarantee him a starting spot in the race

Helio Castroneves is a four-time Indy 500 winner. In February, he’s making the jump to stock car racing as he’s set to run his first ever Daytona 500.

Helio Castroneves to make NASCAR debut

In the past, open cars (non-charter cars) battle for just four starting positions. While the 36 charter teams are guaranteed a starting position in the race.

For the Daytona 500, two of the open cars lock into the race through qualifying time. Only two more open cars transfer based on finishes in the Daytona Duels.

New for 2025, NASCAR has a rule that allows them to guarantee a ‘world class driver’ a position in the race.

See the NASCAR rulebook below.

If Castroneves is unable to race his way onto the grid then he will become the first driver to use the new ‘Open Exemption Provisional’. In that case, he would start 41st on the field, adding an additional car to the field.

Helio Castroneves will also make his ARCA debut

Open Exemption Provisional: New NASCAR Rule

Here’s the rulebook:

– “Similar to a ‘promoter’s provisional’ used in short track and dirt racing, the Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) guarantees a starting position for world-class drivers who enter a NASCAR Cup Series race.”

– “If the OEP is used, the driver/car owner will NOT be eligible for race points, playoff points, prize money or any tiebreaker benefit of finishing position.”

— “Non-OEP cars’ prize money, race and stage points (but not playoff points) will be adjusted upward by one position, starting from the finishing position of the OEP car and continuing for the remainder of the field.”

— “If the provisional car wins a race and/or stage, that car will be credited with the race win (including trophy and All-Star eligibility), but the finish will NOT count towards playoff eligibility. The second-place finisher will inherit first-place points, but will NOT receive playoff points or playoff eligibility.”

– “Criteria for approval will be on a case-by-case basis, with prior racing resume a significant contributor. Full-time NASCAR drivers are not eligible.”

— “A race team must request the provisional 90 days prior to an event.”

Daytona 500 Results: February 19, 2024 (NASCAR Cup Series)

Links

Helio Castroneves | Daytona International Speedway | NASCAR

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