A promise, a chance, and a result. These could prove to be the main ingredients for bringing INDYCAR legend Helio Castroneves to NASCAR. Quite a few times in the past, the Brazilian driver had expressed his desire to race in the premier stock car racing series in the world.
And now, his wish to do so could now soon come true thanks to Don Hawk. The thing is, Hawk had promised Castroneves that he would get a shot at running Daytona should he win a race in the SRX Series.
What followed next was a chance that the driver took on running the SRX race at Five Flags despite the fact that he didn’t have a confirmed seat before he hopped on the plane.
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But as he often does, Castroneves won the race.
WHAT A 24 HOURS IT HAS BEEN.
HELIO CASTRONEVES WINS AT 5 FLAGS.#CampingWorldSRX pic.twitter.com/mkSxlawSKC
— Superstar Racing Experience (@SRXracing) June 19, 2022
Naturally, the fans were pumped with this news as some of them predicted which team will Castroneves sign up for while some simply showed their excitement for having the INDYCAR superstar race in the Daytona 500.
I know everyone is saying Trackhouse but this seems like a perfect reason for Penske to break out the 33. Ride being funded already and a driver who has contributed to his team a lot already.
— SJ (@SteelCurtainx22) June 19, 2022
I'm sure Trackhouse will take their call
— Philip Richards (@Maestro2442) June 19, 2022
Like, the Daytona 500? That would be amazing!
— shaun (@jshaunAU2006) June 19, 2022
lets fucking GOOOOOO
— Pan (@NoctLC78) June 19, 2022
Woo, can Spiderman show up at Daytona?! Wow#SRXRacing #nascar
— David up on the roof (@DavidtheDavor) June 19, 2022
Helio at Daytona 🏁
— Mackynzie (@MackD17) June 19, 2022
Hell to the YEAH
— 👁❤the👂🏻of🏎💨s (@Pixxydoodle) June 19, 2022
Dan Hawk fulfilled his NASCAR promise to Helio Castroneves
It was in a post-race interview that Helio Castroneves opened up on the promise that Don Hawk made with the Brazilian driver. “Hawk said, ‘Look, win a race and I’ll help you find a ride for Daytona.’ I’m like, ‘Deal.’ Hey, now he’s got to make it happen on his end,” Castroneves said.
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“It’s so cool to be here, and what a great opportunity.”
When Hawk was asked for the same, he confirmed the deal he had made and crucially revealed that he will honor his word, making sure the INDY500 winner will have a solid shot at adding the Daytona 500 to his already legendary resume.
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“That was our deal; we’re going to do it,” Hawk said.