Is anything ever straightforward when it comes to NASCAR’s rules? The Open Exemption Provisional is causing a stir before the Daytona 500 race and many fans have started to refer to it as the ‘Helio Castroneves’ rule because it happens to almost guarantee the Brazilian a spot in the Daytona 500. The provisional needs to be requested 90 days before an event so that the track has time to make pit road adjustments and Trackhouse Racing to meet this condition.

With this, Vice-Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon raised some important questions while speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. OEP allows one world-class driver to have a guaranteed spot in the field if they fail to make it to the main event through qualifiers. Trackhouse Racing has become the first team to utilize this OEP and has fielded four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves in their No. 91 Chevy car for the Great American Race.

This announcement came only a few hours after NASCAR put out the new rule structure. While this initiative will allow non-NASCAR drivers to enter a major event, this new provision isn’t clear.

So here’s what we know so far about the NASCAR new Open Exemption Provisional. A world-class driver can secure his spot on the grid with an open entry with a request that is put in 90 days before the race. Only one OEP will be allowed per race, and none of the full-time Cup Series drivers can apply for the provision. However, what if multiple race teams decided to put in a request for the same? What would define the world-class status of a driver who is applying for OEP?

Imagine if drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Jimmie Johnson were to apply for the provision for the same Cup Series. This is when things could get tricky, and that is why Jeff Gordon wants to understand how Trackhouse Racing was given priority with Helio Castroneves. “What I’m questioning, or what I need more answers to, is what’s the criteria that dictates, who gets in and who doesn’t? Does it just become a popularity contest, and what again is the popularity are basing it off?” Gordon shared this while speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

He also asked where does former NASCAR driver fared when up against some popular names in the world of motorsports. The seven-time champ, Jimmie Johnson could’ve also opted to apply for the provisional, and had he done that, would NASCAR still side with the Brazilian driver? “Then you’ve got past champion and seven-time champion like Jimmie Johnson; where does he fit in that kind of criteria? That’s my only question about it all, and I don’t have all the answers, but that’s certainly something I’m going to ask NASCAR when I get a chance to.”

As mentioned in the Charter agreement, experience and success in global motorsports and major markets are points that would be considered while choosing a team.

Top Comment by Use_to_be_a_fan

WOW RACING! Wrestling on wheels at it’s finest!! Wonder why the seats are empty??

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This new rule has also come under fire after former driver Mike Wallace’s attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 was canceled by NASCAR. This whole saga questioned NASCAR’s decision-making process and lack of clarity. So it’s fair to say the OEP is a work in progress, but Trackhouse Racing founder Justin Marks has come out in NASCAR’s defense.

Interesting Fact: Any team using the open exemption provisional is not qualified for race points, playoff points, or prize money. If such a team wins, they will be credited only with the victory, trophy, and All-Star eligibility. However, the win won’t count towards playoff eligibility.

Trackhouse Racing was the only one to apply for OEP

All of this was being played out behind closed doors as NASCAR announced their new rule change on January 10. Teams are required to apply for the provisional 90 days in advance of the race. With the whole NASCAR versus 23XI Racing saga going on, only THR looked to have applied for the provision. This is why NASCAR didn’t have the trouble, as no other teams or drivers had filed an appeal.

Reacting to the ongoing saga about the OEP and its use, Marks had something to say when he was attending the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. “So, I understand the philosophy behind it. You know, that was what showed up in the charter agreement. Everybody read it. I think we were the only ones to put our hands up. Everybody could, but we did.”

He also highlighted why OEP makes sense to secure a spot for star drivers like Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen when they decided to race in NASCAR. “If we have Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen one day race the Daytona 500, and miss the cut due to a restart mistake, it would take the wind out of the sails. NASCAR is a promotional business, and decisions like these make sense in that context.”

For the time being, it looks like NASCAR is trying to find a middle ground on how to make the best possible use of the open provision. And given this is the first year of the rule being implemented, there’s enough evidence to suggest that it will undergo some changes in the future. What do you think?