A new and controversial NASCAR rule designed for “world-class drivers” has the potential to grant Helio Castroneves an automatic entry into the Daytona 500. If the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner utilizes this provisional, it would result in the largest field for the race in a decade.
The complex rule, which was included in the charter agreement signed by 13 teams last September, is similar to a “promoters provisional” and allows NASCAR to designate one driver as a guaranteed 41st entry.
Three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin expressed his disapproval of the rule, stating, “It reeks of desperation” by NASCAR, calling it nothing but a gimmick to attract big stars to stock car racing. Others questioned why the provisional was given to Castroneves, a 49-year-old making his NASCAR debut, instead of seven-time NASCAR champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson.
The rule is intended for drivers who do not currently race full-time in NASCAR, making Johnson and 2017 Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. eligible for consideration. However, their teams did not submit a request, which must be done 90 days before the event. Trackhouse Racing was the only team to request the provisional for Castroneves, who enters Wednesday’s qualifying as the sole driver eligible for the 41st spot.
Alex Bowman commented on the situation, saying, “I think Jimmie Johnson is a world-class driver, but I guess other people don’t. It’s an interesting rule for sure. There’s a lot of hype and importance to the sport to have people like [Castroneves] that come in and, if they miss the race, it kind of hurts the whole thing. So I get it, but I also wish some of our past champions were respected in the same way in some sense.”
Castroneves will only use the provisional if he fails to claim one of the four open spots through traditional qualifying in what was originally intended to be a 40-car field. If he uses it, the 41 cars will be the most in the Daytona 500 since 2015, when 43 cars were still the standard.
It’s important to note that if Castroneves uses the provisional, Trackhouse and Castroneves will not receive any points or payouts, and all drivers who finish behind him will be moved up one position in the standings.
The rule has divided the field, despite the fact that it will likely only come into play at Daytona International Speedway, where nine drivers are competing for the four open spots. NASCAR’s charter system guarantees entry to 36 cars in every race.
Tyler Reddick shared his perspective on the matter, saying, “Aside from the Daytona 500, we don’t get in a spot very often where drivers of that caliber are going home. I don’t know where to fall on this. On one hand, I would hate for a guy like Lewis Hamilton to come over here and attempt to start the 500… [and] something keeps him from running the race. We also don’t just want to let them have a spot in the race — like, they have to earn it.”
In the event that NASCAR receives multiple requests for the provisional, the organization will decide who the designated “world-class driver” is ahead of the event. The criteria listed in the charter for the rule states, “The ‘Open Exemption’ position is intended for a driver who will significantly impact the promotion of the event and grow the prominence of the sport.”
John Probst, NASCAR senior vice president of racing development, addressed a hypothetical scenario during a competition briefing last month. When asked what NASCAR would do if seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen, six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson all submitted a request for the same race, Probst responded, “I’d love to have that problem.”
NASCAR could face this dilemma later this year when the series visits Mexico City, as several teams are exploring deals to enter Juan Pablo Montoya in the race. Additionally, the inaugural street race in Chicago saw Shane van Gisbergen, who won the event and subsequently left his Australian V8 Supercars career behind for NASCAR, demonstrating the potential for unexpected entries.
In recent years, former F1 drivers have made appearances in NASCAR races. The 2023 Indianapolis race featured Jenson Button and Kamui Kobayashi, while Button and Kimi Raikkonen, both F1 world champions, competed in the same field at Circuit of the Americas.
Chase Elliott expressed his mixed feelings on the matter, saying, “I can argue both sides of the fence. You’d hate to have a Helio Castroneves, a Max Verstappen, a Lewis Hamilton or someone come in to run a race and then miss the show due to something silly. So I can certainly see that aspect of it from a promoter. But I also think that with prestigious races, there should be some sort of integrity in making the show. I think that’s part of what makes the race prestigious. You know, it’s a hard event to make. I think you see that with the Indianapolis 500, or you see that at the Chili Bowl, right? It’s a hard race to make. It’s a big deal just to get into the show. I just don’t want to ever degrade or hurt the long-term integrity of the sport and take the prestige out of events that should be some of our biggest days of the year.”
