NASCAR drivers divided on new rule that might assure Helio Castroneves a spot within the Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A controversial new NASCAR rule designed for “world-class drivers” may give Helio Castroneves an automated berth into the Daytona 500, and, ought to the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner use the provisional, it might make for the most important discipline in a decade.

It is a sophisticated rule that was written into the constitution settlement that 13 groups signed final September and is much like a “promoters provisional” in that it offers NASCAR the flexibility to designate one driver as a assured forty first entry.

Three-time Daytona 500 Denny Hamlin mentioned the rule “reeks of desperation” by NASCAR, calling it nothing however a gimmick to draw huge stars to inventory automotive racing. Others questioned why the provisional went to Castroneves, who at 49 can be making his NASCAR debut, as an alternative of seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 winner.

The rule is designed for drivers who do not at present race full time in NASCAR, so Johnson and 2017 Cup Collection champion Martin Truex Jr. would have been eligible for consideration for the provisional.

However their groups by no means put within the request, which have to be performed 90 days earlier than the occasion. Solely Trackhouse Racing requested the provisional for Castroneves, who enters Wednesday’s qualifying as the one driver eligible for the forty first spot.

“I believe Jimmie Johnson is a world-class driver, however I assume different individuals don’t,” Alex Bowman mentioned. “It’s an attention-grabbing rule for positive. There’s lots of hype and significance to the game to have individuals like (Castroneves) that are available in and, in the event that they miss the race, it sort of hurts the entire thing.

“So I get it, however I additionally want a few of our previous champions had been revered in the identical method in some sense.”

Castroneves will use the provisional provided that he fails in conventional qualifying to assert one of many 4 open spots in what was alleged to be a 40-car discipline. If he makes use of it, the 41 vehicles would be the most within the Daytona 500 since 2015, when 43 vehicles was nonetheless commonplace.

Trackhouse and Castroneves additionally will not obtain any factors or payouts if he is the forty first driver, and all drivers who end behind him can be moved up one place within the standings.

The rule has divided the sector, regardless that it in all probability will come into play solely at Daytona Worldwide Speedway, the place 9 drivers are vying for the 4 open spots. NASCAR’s constitution system ensures entry to 36 vehicles each race.

“Apart from the Daytona 500, we don’t get in a spot fairly often the place drivers of that caliber are going house,” Tyler Reddick mentioned. “I don’t know the place to fall on this. On one hand, I might hate for a man like Lewis Hamilton to come back over right here and try to start out the five hundred… (and) one thing retains him from operating the race. We additionally don’t simply need to allow them to have a spot within the race — like, they should earn it.”

What if Johnson and Truex had requested the provisional?

Logically, if a number of drivers had requested the provisional, probably the most sense would have been for it to go to the best qualifier.

Nope.

If NASCAR does obtain a number of requests, NASCAR will resolve who the designated “world-class driver” is forward of the occasion. The factors listed within the constitution for the rule states “the “Open Exemption” place is meant for a driver who will considerably affect the promotion of the occasion and develop the prominence of the game.

In a contest briefing held for media final month, a hypothetical situation was posed about what NASCAR would do if seven-time System 1 champion Hamilton, four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen, six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and Johnson, who can be a NASCAR Corridor of Famer, all put in a request for a similar race.

“I’d like to have that downside,” mentioned John Probst, NASCAR senior vice chairman of racing improvement.

NASCAR may have that downside later this yr when it goes to Mexico Metropolis, the place a number of groups are exploring offers to enter Juan Pablo Montoya within the race, and who is aware of who may present up at a highway course — Shane van Gisbergen was introduced into the inaugural road race at Chicago, gained it and by the top of the yr had left his Australian V8 Supercars profession behind for NASCAR.

At Indianapolis in 2023, former F1 drivers Jenson Button and Kamui Kobayashi had been each within the discipline, whereas Button was a part of the identical discipline as Kimi Raikkonen to make it two F1 world champions within the 2023 race at Circuit of the Americas.

“I can argue either side of the fence. You’d hate to have a Helio Castroneves, a Max Verstappen, a Lewis Hamilton or somebody are available in to run a race after which miss the present on account of one thing foolish,” Chase Elliott mentioned. “So I can definitely see that side of it from a promoter. However I additionally assume that with prestigious races, there must be some kind of integrity in making the present.

“I believe that’s a part of what makes the race prestigious. , it’s a tough occasion to make. I believe you see that with the Indianapolis 500, otherwise you see that on the Chili Bowl, proper? It’s a tough race to make. It’s a giant deal simply to get into the present. I simply don’t need to ever degrade or harm the long-term integrity of the game and take the status out of occasions that must be a few of our greatest days of the yr.”

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