Ambition should not ideally be at the cost of nostalgia. The eagerness to expand NASCAR’s borders is cutting down possibilities for its veteran drivers. The Open Exemption Provisional has been the subject of great controversy lately. Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will be guaranteed a spot at the Daytona 500 with Trackhouse Racing, regardless of his qualifying results. Meanwhile, NASCAR’s past champions need to fight for a spot – which is bothering Corey LaJoie.

The former Spire Motorsports driver lost his full-time racing seat at the end of 2024. Although Corey LaJoie has never clinched a victory in any of NASCAR’s top three series (Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup), his opinions are crystal clear about the sport. He joined a big bandwagon of drivers scrutinizing NASCAR for sidelining the OGs and made a suggestion as well.

Corey LaJoie calls for the bare minimum

After all, just look at the star-studded open-entry list for the Daytona 500. The nine drivers looking to qualify the Duels include Anthony Alfredo, Justin Allgaier, Jimmie Johnson, Corey LaJoie, B.J. McLeod, Chandler Smith, Martin Truex Jr., JJ Yeley, and Helio Castroneves. The drivers who need to claw their way into a 40-car field include a seven-time Cup Series champion (Jimmie Johnson) and the 2017 Cup champion (Martin Truex Jr.) who retired last year. Yet Brazilian-born Castroneves has been given preference over them despite Castroneves not running a single Cup race ever.

A wave of criticism has hit the sanctioning body already about this seemingly unfair rule. Jeff Gordon described it as a “popularity contest”, while Denny Hamlin called it “desperation.” Recently, Corey LaJoie cautiously offered his opinion to Bob Pockrass. “It doesn’t matter what I think. I don’t like it, but it doesn’t matter.” Then he proceeded to expand on it: “I mean, I think having Helio as a part of the Daytona 500 is a huge draw. He’s a world-renowned racecar driver, but… so is Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson and those guys are past champions. So, I would almost like to see that rule adjusted.”

Being the ‘Stacking Pennies’ podcast host, Corey LaJoie always espouses interesting notions about the sport. As regards the Daytona 500 controversy, he also had a suggestion in mind – to recognize NASCAR’s past champions, which would be the bare minimum. “You know, if there is one spot and there is a priority to who NASCAR feels like deserves a spot, but if it’s past champions, be it MTJ or Jimmie Johnson, those guys show up, those guys have dedicated – they’re Hall of Famers. So, those guys should get at least a spot made for them as opposed, not as opposed, in addition to somebody that’s coming for their first race.”

As Corey LaJoie adds fuel to this raging controversy, it has affected the 4-time Indy500 winner as well. Nevertheless, Castroneves is focused on his Daytona run.

Making his stance clear

We have heard enough about veteran racers dissing NASCAR’s Open Exemption Provisional rule. Now let us turn to the person benefiting from this rule – Helio Castroneves himself. Driving the No. 6 Dallara Honda for Meyer-Hank Racing, Castroneves is only the fourth driver who has four Indy 500 wins. Besides, he was a runner-up in the IndyCar drivers’ championship in 2002, 2008, 2013, and 2014. Despite his massive resume in open-wheel racing, Castroneves’ transition to NASCAR’s 3400-pound stock cars would undoubtedly be tough. Additionally, he has been listening to the criticism mounting over the privilege that NASCAR granted him.

Helio Castroneves frankly stated his opinion and confessed that he would try his best to qualify on merit. “I’m not the one who writes the rules, I’m the one very blessed and honored to be in this position to go to an incredible race. Hopefully, I’m going to do justice not only for the people that are fans of all kinds of races—not just about Indy cars or prototypes or NASCAR… If I can do it the way I want to do it, we won’t have to use the rule.” However, even if things go South in the Duels, Castroneves would still be focused on the Daytona 500. “Obviously, I was very happy to hear about the recent scenario of the (provisional option), and I’m going to try not to use it. However, if I have to use it, I’ll take it.”

Castroneves will take to the field in Trackhouse Racing’s #91 Chevrolet and evidently, the Brazilian speedster is not letting the scrutiny get to him. Nevertheless, Corey LaJoie and other veterans of the sport continue to criticize NASCAR for its new rule.