It’s impossible to talk about NASCAR and not mention ‘The Great American Race’. The Daytona 500 is synonymous with prestige for all NASCAR drivers and spectators and is often touted as the “birthplace of speed”. It’s the perfect race if you’re new to NASCAR as you would get to see the best going head-on against each other. Two-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently shared his thoughts on the entry list for the 2025 rendition of the race.

Dale Jr. has his legs dipped in almost every aspect of the motorsport – be it racing himself, owning an elite racing team like JR Motorsports or even controlling the biggest media collective for NASCAR “Dirty Mo Media”. He has successfully honored his father’s legacy by carrying forward his name in both literal and figurative senses. In his latest episode, he talks about another racing legend trying to leave his mark on the NASCAR world.

IndyCar legend’s decision does not surprise Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Every racing sport is a kingdom on its own and sometimes there are kings of other territories looking to conquer foreign kingdoms. IndyCar’s charismatic legend Helio Castroneves is one of those kings, and NASCAR is his next quest to conquer. The Brazil native is scheduled to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at the 2025 Daytona 500. He is a force to be reckoned with in the IndyCar circuit with 4 Indy500 victories under his belt  (2001,2002,2009 and 2021). He is also a 4-time runner-up, with 50 IndyCar Series poles and 31 Series wins. Castroneves has also won the Rolex 24 at Daytona three times but never conquered the Daytona 500.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won the Daytona 500 twice in his career (2004 and 2014) and knows how it could change one’s fortune. He is not surprised by Castroneves’ decision to attempt the Daytona 500. He revealed on the Dale Jr. Download, “Helio, like a lot of those guys, I think on that IndyCar side would love to run in Daytona once. Everybody wants to put Daytona 500 on their resume.” Castroneves would look to make other racers sweat with his No.91 Wendy’s Chevy for Trackhouse Racing. Dale Jr. also added how it is a moment of pride to see foreign racers try to conquer NASCAR’s headline event.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. explained, “I’m a bit traditionalist, I’m a bit naive, but this goes back to like when AJ Foyt would show up. Mario Andretti ran a Daytona 500. It’s a feather in our cap when a recognizable name comes out of any other series, especially a top series like IndyCar, and tries to enter our biggest race.” Notably, Foyt and Andretti are the only people to have won the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500, and the Brazil native looks to add his name to the list. With four Indy 500 wins already to his name and having secured a spot in the race, Castroneves is jubilant, and so is his team owner.

Justin Marks is pumped for Castroneves’ NASCAR debut

 Justin Marks, owner of Trackhouse Racing, has brought the best of the best to NASCAR. From F1 sensation Kimi Raikkonen in 2023 to hiring Supercars legend Shane Van Gisbergen full-time in 2024, his ‘Project 91’ has done wonders for the sport. However, Helio Castroneves might just be his biggest name yet. 

Justin Marks was elated with Castroneves’s addition. He added, “Helio is one of the greatest drivers of all time and exactly the type of driver we want to bring to NASCAR.” Castroneves also expressed his elation in being able to participate in the crown jewel event, “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would enter a NASCAR race and certainly not the Daytona 500 with a team like Trackhouse Racing.“

With just over a month to go for the Daytona 500, which kicks off on Feb 16th, the excitement builds. With the confirmation of Castroneves amongst other veterans of the sport, such as Mike Wallace, the race promises to be one for the ages. Only four sports will be open for non-chartered drivers and there are quite a few fighting for them. Who do you think will win the Daytona 500 this year?