via Imago
A general view of the track taken during the Daytona 500 Speedweeks at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge /Allsport
via Imago
A general view of the track taken during the Daytona 500 Speedweeks at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge /Allsport
Who does not want to see non-NASCAR drivers compete with regular folks on the track? That is exactly what happens during the season opener each year. However, this year’s star-studded lineup has seemed to have taken a hit. Earlier this year, there was quite the hype surrounding Hélio Castroneves’s appearance on the Daytona 500 grid. But, following a press conference, a journalist dropped the truth bomb on the entire saga. Castroneves apparently chose to withdraw from his NASCAR Cup Series season opener run.
Journalist Nate Ryan mentioned, “During a @Rolex24Hours availability, I asked @h3lio if he still is working on a Daytona 500 debut next month. Helio says he has ruled out the #nascar season opener for 2023, but he still wants to race here in the future and might attend in February just to watch.“
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Following all the hype surrounding his appearance. It is definitely sad to see him not compete this year. Although he mentioned his interest in racing there in the future. Hopefully, Castroneves gets the same opportunity next year too. Following the news, multiple fans took to social media to express their displeasure.
NASCAR fans react to Hélio Castroneves’ Daytona 500 update
Fans were obviously disappointed. Mostly because of how he was hyped by everyone. But in the end, it was all futile. They expressed their thoughts through tweets on social media.
Well thats disappointing to hear
— Joe Annunziata (@JoeAnnunziata96) January 26, 2023
C'mon, man!
— Gregory D. Howe (@wood_brothers21) January 26, 2023
Darn I was hoping he would race in the 500. Hope he comes and watches. I’ll be there all week. Hope to run into him maybe.
— 🏁ƙíʍҍҽɾƘϲ🇺🇸BradFan#6 (@KansasKim6) January 26, 2023
That sucks.
— 🇺🇸 Jared Thomas (@grungeman86) January 26, 2023
dammit 😕
— Brenda Ventura 😬❤️🏁 (@Venzi5Ventura) January 26, 2023
Definitely disappointing. I was hoping he'd be in the field for it.
— JustinMaysWriter (@JMaysWriter) January 26, 2023
Man that's disappointing. I know there was a deal that was very close but I guess it couldn't get done in time. https://t.co/DhWI1zdg9g
— postman wookie bought a saturn swp (@WookieDrives) January 26, 2023
This is what happens when you put faith in The Money Team https://t.co/yHdf5bK4Nc
— Alex Kerner (@psychedalex68) January 26, 2023
…after all that hype?
Maaaaaaaan… https://t.co/8RZxFnVjRM
— Read Cyberpunk: Prolegomenon on AO3 🇵🇷 (@MesousaGaby) January 26, 2023
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That's a shame. I'm convinced with his old-school IRL and IROC experience that Helio would be a very good superspeedway racer. https://t.co/goAKWR5MoO
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) January 26, 2023
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Despite the setback, there are still quite a few big names due to appear on the Daytona 500 grid. One of them would be the return of Jimmie Johnson. The seven-time champion is finally back in the sport as a part-time driver and team owner. It is always great to see returning drivers. It’s especially better to see former champions return to the grid. However, being out of the car, he must have been rusty with the Cup Series car. Hopefully, following the tests and simulator training, he’d be able to showcase his skills out on track once more.
