It’s hard to call anything associated with Tony Stewart “forgotten,” but the fate of the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) series comes close to that word. Launched with much fanfare in 2021, SRX brought together motorsport legends for short-track battles designed to rekindle the grassroots appeal of stock car racing. However, by early 2024, a combination of poor TV ratings and financial troubles left the series in limbo. Despite the apparent dead end, SRX quietly became the spark that lit the fuse for one of the most unexpected crossovers in NASCAR history.

IndyCar legend Helio Castroneves is set to make his Daytona 500 debut in 2025, piloting Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 car. What led a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion to the world of NASCAR’s Great American Race? As it turns out, the origins of this story trace back to an SRX race, a bet, and some unlikely connections.

Helio Castroneves: A champion’s leap into NASCAR

Helio Castroneves needs no introduction to racing fans. The Brazilian icon has racked up a list of accomplishments that would make any driver jealous: four Indy 500 wins, 25 victories in IndyCar, six Champ Car triumphs, three Rolex 24 at Daytona wins—you get the idea. The guy’s a legend. But for all his accolades, he’d never taken on NASCAR. Until now.

Helio will try to qualify for the 2025 Daytona 500, driving Trackhouse Racing’s No. 91 Chevrolet—a car specifically designed to bring global motorsport stars into NASCAR. “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,” said Helio. “This is an opportunity that nobody in their right mind could ever turn down.”

So, how did he go from open-wheel superstar to NASCAR rookie at 49? It all started with a bit of fun in SRX. Back in 2022, Helio joined the short-lived but beloved racing series for a few races. During that time, he made a bet with Don Hawk, the SRX CEO. “Hawk basically was the guy in charge back then, and we made a bet—if I win a race, he’s going to start making connections in the NASCAR world,” Helio explained. “And I said, okay, let’s make that happen.”

As fate would have it, Helio won an SRX race, and Hawk kept his word, reaching out to Trackhouse Racing’s Justin Marks. Marks, who’s known for thinking outside the box, was already eyeing Helio for Trackhouse’s Project 91 car. The idea made sense, especially given Marks’s friendship with Mike Shank, Helio’s longtime partner at Meyer Shank Racing.

“Helio is one of the greatest drivers of all time and exactly the type of driver we want to bring to NASCAR,” Marks said. “I think race fans around the world will be excited to see Helio in NASCAR’s most prestigious race.”

For Helio, the Daytona 500 is the realization of a long-held dream. “I always wanted to do it when I used to race with Penske Racing. I asked about it, but Roger [Penske] never allowed me to do it,” Helio admitted. “Now, finally, you know, you gotta keep pushing… One day that dream will come true.”

Trackhouse’s Project 91: Where racing worlds collide

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Helio’s upcoming NASCAR debut is just the latest chapter in Trackhouse Racing’s bold Project 91 experiment. Launched in 2022, the initiative was Justin Marks’s way of opening NASCAR’s doors to international motorsport stars. The timing was perfect, coinciding with NASCAR’s introduction of the “Next Gen” car, which leveled the playing field and made it easier for newcomers to adapt.

The first big name to take the wheel was Kimi Räikkönen, the 2007 Formula One World Champion. Kimi made his NASCAR debut at Watkins Glen in 2022 and returned in 2023 for another shot at Circuit of The Americas. While his results didn’t set the world on fire, his presence was a major milestone for Project 91.

Then came Shane van Gisbergen, the three-time Supercars champion from New Zealand, who made a splash in the inaugural Chicago Street Race in 2023. Not only did SVG adapt to NASCAR’s unique demands, but he won on debut—a feat that’s practically unheard of. He followed it up with another strong showing at the Indianapolis road course, finishing 10th. His success ultimately landed him a full-time NASCAR deal with Trackhouse, making him the first Project 91 graduate to go all-in on stock car racing.

For Helio, this is kinda uncharted territory, but Trackhouse has a proven track record of helping legends from other disciplines transition smoothly into NASCAR. And for Marks, this is about more than just adding star power. “It also exposes our sport to a global audience and allows them to see just how great of a series we have in NASCAR,” he said.

As for Tony Stewart’s SRX series? Well, it might not have lasted, but its ripple effect is still being felt. Sometimes, even a forgotten series can set the stage for something potentially unforgettable.