Indianapolis 500 Legend Helio Castroneves Teases NASCAR Fans With a Surprising Offer

Go away it to a four-time Indianapolis 500 winner to win a Celebrity Racing Expertise (SRX) race after which perk up the ears of NASCAR followers with a postrace disclosure.

Helio Castroneves could or could not have been critical. But it surely sounds as if he might drive in a NASCAR race to be decided.

Helio Castroneves received a race that wasn’t on his schedule

4-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves had the weekend off. As a part-time participant within the SRX collection, Castroneves was not within the listed lineup for the Season 2 kickoff at 5 Flags Speedway on Saturday in Pensacola, Florida.

Nonetheless, Castroneves was getting itchy to get again in a automobile and do some racing. When nobody from SRX responded to his inquiry late within the week a couple of last-minute entry, he determined to go to Pensacola anyway.

“I purchased my very own ticket, I received every little thing able to go, and after I was on the aircraft, I requested Ashely (Rogero-Butcher, SRX’s director of operations) what time I ought to be to the observe. She’s like, ‘Oh, you’re not imagined to be right here,’” Castroneves mentioned, in line with Fox Information. “So, I used to be like, ‘I’m already on the aircraft.’ She’s like, ‘Maintain on.’ I landed, (and) it’s like, ‘I received a automobile for you and every little thing else.’”

Castroneves romped to victory over native ringer Bubba Pollard and NASCAR veteran Ryan Newman in the principle occasion.

It was his first SRX victory. Castroneves appeared in all six races final season however by no means completed higher than third on his method to fifth place within the season standings.

Helio Castroneves had a particular incentive to win

SRX officers have been shocked by Helio Castroneves’ last-minute resolution to race, however they weren’t dissatisfied. SRX is an IROC-style race with a roster of drivers from varied collection, and Castroneves is about as huge an IndyCar identify as there’s.

Apart from the 4 Indianapolis 500 victories, Castroneves has additionally received an IMSA SportsCar Championship and the 24 Hour of Daytona. Only for kicks, he additionally received the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars.

As has been his custom, the Brazilian driver climbed the catch fence to have a good time his newest victory. He then rattled off some thank yous to folks concerned within the collection that NASCAR Corridor of Famer Tony Stewart co-founded final season.

“That is improbable,” Castroneves mentioned, in line with Frontstretch.com. “What an important — thanks, SRX, everybody right here. Simply completely wonderful, Tony, thanks a lot.”

At that time, the driving force noticed SRX CEO Donald Hawk and shouted out to him excitedly.

“Hawk and I had a guess — profitable the race, he would discover me one race in NASCAR, proper?” he defined.

Who’s received a NASCAR Cup Sequence automobile he can use?

He’s fascinated with NASCAR, however Helio Castroneves is unsure to land a Cup Sequence trip off his win within the SRX opener.

The plain place to look can be Stewart-Haas Racing. Apart from being the SRX co-founder, Tony Stewart is the co-owner of the SHR workforce. Nonetheless, there’s a staffing problem. Apart from having an entire roster of full-time drivers for the workforce, SHR additionally employs Ryan Preece as a backup in case one of many regulars isn’t accessible.

With the doable exception of Rick Ware Racing, no common Cup vehicles seem accessible for the remaining 20 races of the season.

Nonetheless, Trackhouse Racing affords an intriguing chance.

Trackhouse officers introduced in Might that they’ve began Venture 91, an initiative by which they are going to often add the No. 91 Chevy to their two-car workforce to spotlight the abilities of worldwide drivers. The primary scheduled outing is Aug. 21 at Watkins Glen, the place retired Formulation 1 nice Kimi Raikkonen will drive.

The one regular-season race after Watkins Glen is the next week at Daytona. Trackhouse might make that occur for Castroneves, assuming he doesn’t have one other dedication. IndyCar is off that weekend, however it will be a good turnaround getting the automobile set as much as Castroneves’ preferences, particularly if it will get dinged up at Watkins Glen.

A playoff race starting Labor Day weekend is a longshot as groups may be hesitant to place a newcomer, even one as proficient as Castroneves, on the observe when development to the subsequent stage is on the road.

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4-Time Indy 500 Winner Helio Castroneves Reveals Need to Test off Bucket Checklist Merchandise and Race in NASCAR Cup Sequence After Roger Penske Denied Him for Years