7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson isn’t guaranteed a starting spot in the Daytona 500; NASCAR Cup Series rookie Helio Castroneves is
It’s the week of the Daytona 500. And the rules are slightly different this season as there’s a new provisional starting position on the table for select drivers.
NASCAR has a new ‘world class driver’ provisional and it’s active for this weekend’s race. For any driver with a long resume, teams can apply for a provisional.
This weekend, up to 5 open teams will miss the Daytona 500. Helio Castroneves will not be one of them as he can either race his way into the race with tonight’s Duel races or if he does not, he will start the Daytona 500 as the 41st car on the grid.
Castroneves is a four-time Indy 500 winner.
Meanwhile, Jimmie Johnson is a 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. He’s running a part-time schedule in 2025 and he’s also on the entry list this week. Johnson is not guaranteed to start the Daytona 500.
Martin Truex Jr doesn’t understand that…
New NASCAR rule guarantees Helio Castroneves for Daytona 500
Martin Truex Jr comments
“It’s kinda weird to me,” Martin Truex Jr stated via Dirty Mo Media.
“Just add another car! Like make it 41.”
“It’s a bit of a slap in the face. No question. I put 20 something years in this sport. If I was Jimmie Johnson would I be pissed? Yup.”
“7-time champion, we don’t care. You gotta make the race. But, you know, a new guy don’t have to. So, it’s a little weird.”
Truex Jr concluded, “I don’t make the rules, I just come play.”
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Martin Truex Jr | Jimmie Johnson | Helio Castroneves | Daytona International Speedway | NASCAR
