NASCAR: Revised 2025 Daytona 500 entry list following Trackhouse announcement

By emmasportJanuary 11, 2025

Time to Read:-words

The 2025 Daytona 500, scheduled for February 16, is shaping up to be a landmark event, especially with the recent announcement from Trackhouse Racing. The team has confirmed that four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Hélio Castroneves will attempt to qualify for the race, driving the No. 91 Wendy’s® Chevrolet under their PROJECT91 initiative.

Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 and Hélio Castroneves

Formula 1 Driver Could Make His NASCAR Debut After Missing Out 4 Years Ago

**Pietro Fittipaldi Eyes NASCAR Debut with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91**
Pietro Fittipaldi, the Brazilian-American Haas F1 reserve driver and grandson of two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, is closer than ever to realizing his NASCAR dream after a near-miss four years ago. Now 28, Fittipaldi’s journey from open-wheel racing to stock cars has reignited interest, with Trackhouse Racing’s innovative “Project 91” program emerging as a potential gateway for his debut.

—

### **Background: A Lifelong Passion for Stock Cars**
Fittipaldi’s roots in NASCAR trace back to his childhood in Miami, where he began karting at age nine. By 2011, he was competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, earning a Limited Late Models track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2012. Reflecting on this period, he noted, *“I learned so much from car racing through NASCAR”*—a foundation that fueled his versatility across disciplines like IndyCar, endurance racing, and F1.

Despite his success in Europe—including titles in Formula Renault and Formula V8 3.5—Fittipaldi’s heart remained tied to oval racing. In 2021, a collaboration between Dale Coyne Racing and Rick Ware Racing nearly secured him a NASCAR road course seat, but logistical hurdles derailed the plan. Rick Ware, a Cup Series team owner, praised Fittipaldi’s talent, calling him a “natural fit” for NASCAR.

—

### **The Trackhouse Racing Opportunity**
Trackhouse Racing’s **Project 91**—a initiative designed to bring global motorsport stars into NASCAR—has become Fittipaldi’s most promising avenue. The program previously hosted F1 legend Kimi Räikkönen and Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, who transitioned to full-time NASCAR racing after his Project 91 debut.

In a recent interview, Fittipaldi expressed enthusiasm: *“Of course, it would be amazing. I feel like my roots are NASCAR racing… I’ve always loved oval racing too”*. Trackhouse’s openness to international talent aligns with Fittipaldi’s profile, especially given his dual role as Haas F1’s reserve driver and his current commitments in IMSA and the European Le Mans Series.

—

### **Challenges and Logistics**
Balancing F1 duties with a NASCAR debut remains a hurdle. Fittipaldi’s schedule includes reserve drives for Haas, IMSA races with Pratt Miller Motorsports, and ELMS campaigns with Vector Sport. However, Trackhouse’s flexible Project 91 model—which allows for one-off entries—could accommodate his packed calendar.

Another factor is equipment availability. Trackhouse’s No. 91 car is reserved for guest drivers, but the team also fields the No. 88 for van Gisbergen. With van Gisbergen now racing full-time, Fittipaldi could target road courses like Circuit of the Americas or Watkins Glen, where his open-wheel expertise would shine.

—

### **Historical Context: F1 Drivers in NASCAR**
Fittipaldi’s potential move follows a small but notable trend of F1 drivers exploring NASCAR. Champions like Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, and Juan Pablo Montoya have all dabbled in stock cars, though none achieved sustained success. Fittipaldi’s unique background—blending NASCAR grassroots experience with F1 technical knowledge—could set him apart.

—

### **Conclusion: A Full-Circle Moment**
For Fittipaldi, a NASCAR debut would fulfill a lifelong ambition. As he told *Frontstretch*, *“I was super excited to do it back then… It feels like destiny.”* With Trackhouse’s global vision and his own resilience—honed through a career-threatening 2018 crash at Spa—the stars may finally align for this cross-disciplinary racer.

If successful, Fittipaldi’s journey could further bridge the gap between F1 and NASCAR, inspiring a new generation of drivers to embrace versatility in motorsport.

Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 aims to bring renowned international drivers into NASCAR’s premier events. Castroneves, at 49, boasts an illustrious career with victories in the Indianapolis 500 (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021) and the 24 Hours of Daytona (2021-2023). His participation in the Daytona 500 marks his NASCAR Cup Series debut, where he seeks to join legends like Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt in winning both the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500.

Darian Grubb, a seasoned crew chief with a championship pedigree, will lead the No. 91 team. Castroneves expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “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.”

Confirmed Entries for the 2025 Daytona 500

As of January 3, 2025, the entry list for the Daytona 500 includes a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents. The lineup features full-time chartered entries and several open cars vying for a spot in the prestigious race.

Chartered Full-Time Entries:

• No. 1: Ross Chastain – Trackhouse Racing (Chevrolet)

• No. 2: Austin Cindric – Team Penske (Ford)

• No. 3: Austin Dillon – Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)

• No. 4: Noah Gragson – Front Row Motorsports (Ford)

• No. 5: Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)

• No. 6: Brad Keselowski – Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (Ford)

• No. 7: Justin Haley – Spire Motorsports (Chevrolet)

• No. 8: Kyle Busch – Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)

• No. 9: Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)

• No. 10: Ty Dillon – Kaulig Racing (Chevrolet)

• No. 11: Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

• No. 12: Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (Ford)

• No. 16: AJ Allmendinger – Kaulig Racing (Chevrolet)

• No. 17: Chris Buescher – Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (Ford)

• No. 19: Chase Briscoe – Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

• No. 20: Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

• No. 21: Josh Berry – Wood Brothers Racing (Ford)

• No. 22: Joey Logano – Team Penske (Ford)

• No. 23: Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (Toyota)

• No. 24: William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)

• No. 34: Todd Gilliland – Front Row Motorsports (Ford)

• No. 35: Riley Herbst – 23XI Racing (Toyota)

• No. 38: Zane Smith – Front Row Motorsports (Ford)

• No. 41: Cole Custer – Haas Factory Team (Ford)

• No. 42: John Hunter Nemechek – Legacy Motor Club (Toyota)

• No. 43: Erik Jones – Legacy Motor Club (Toyota)

• No. 45: Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (Toyota)

• No. 47: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Hyak Motorsports (Chevrolet)

• No. 48: Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)

• No. 51: TBA (Cody Ware) – Rick Ware Racing (Ford)

• No. 54: Ty Gibbs – Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

• No. 60: Ryan Preece – Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (Ford)

• No. 71: Michael McDowell – Spire Motorsports (Chevrolet)

• No. 77: Carson Hocevar – Spire Motorsports (Chevrolet)

• No. 88: Shane van Gisbergen – Trackhouse Racing (Chevrolet)

• No. 99: Daniel Suárez – Trackhouse Racing (Chevrolet)

Related Posts:

Formula 1 Driver Could Make His NASCAR Debut After Missing Out 4 Years Ago

**Pietro Fittipaldi Eyes NASCAR Debut with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91**
Pietro Fittipaldi, the Brazilian-American Haas F1 reserve driver and grandson of two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, is closer than ever to realizing his NASCAR dream after a near-miss four years ago. Now 28, Fittipaldi’s journey from open-wheel racing to stock cars has reignited interest, with Trackhouse Racing’s innovative “Project 91” program emerging as a potential gateway for his debut.

—

### **Background: A Lifelong Passion for Stock Cars**
Fittipaldi’s roots in NASCAR trace back to his childhood in Miami, where he began karting at age nine. By 2011, he was competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, earning a Limited Late Models track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2012. Reflecting on this period, he noted, *“I learned so much from car racing through NASCAR”*—a foundation that fueled his versatility across disciplines like IndyCar, endurance racing, and F1.

Despite his success in Europe—including titles in Formula Renault and Formula V8 3.5—Fittipaldi’s heart remained tied to oval racing. In 2021, a collaboration between Dale Coyne Racing and Rick Ware Racing nearly secured him a NASCAR road course seat, but logistical hurdles derailed the plan. Rick Ware, a Cup Series team owner, praised Fittipaldi’s talent, calling him a “natural fit” for NASCAR.

—

### **The Trackhouse Racing Opportunity**
Trackhouse Racing’s **Project 91**—a initiative designed to bring global motorsport stars into NASCAR—has become Fittipaldi’s most promising avenue. The program previously hosted F1 legend Kimi Räikkönen and Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, who transitioned to full-time NASCAR racing after his Project 91 debut.

In a recent interview, Fittipaldi expressed enthusiasm: *“Of course, it would be amazing. I feel like my roots are NASCAR racing… I’ve always loved oval racing too”*. Trackhouse’s openness to international talent aligns with Fittipaldi’s profile, especially given his dual role as Haas F1’s reserve driver and his current commitments in IMSA and the European Le Mans Series.

—

### **Challenges and Logistics**
Balancing F1 duties with a NASCAR debut remains a hurdle. Fittipaldi’s schedule includes reserve drives for Haas, IMSA races with Pratt Miller Motorsports, and ELMS campaigns with Vector Sport. However, Trackhouse’s flexible Project 91 model—which allows for one-off entries—could accommodate his packed calendar.

Another factor is equipment availability. Trackhouse’s No. 91 car is reserved for guest drivers, but the team also fields the No. 88 for van Gisbergen. With van Gisbergen now racing full-time, Fittipaldi could target road courses like Circuit of the Americas or Watkins Glen, where his open-wheel expertise would shine.

—

### **Historical Context: F1 Drivers in NASCAR**
Fittipaldi’s potential move follows a small but notable trend of F1 drivers exploring NASCAR. Champions like Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, and Juan Pablo Montoya have all dabbled in stock cars, though none achieved sustained success. Fittipaldi’s unique background—blending NASCAR grassroots experience with F1 technical knowledge—could set him apart.

—

### **Conclusion: A Full-Circle Moment**
For Fittipaldi, a NASCAR debut would fulfill a lifelong ambition. As he told *Frontstretch*, *“I was super excited to do it back then… It feels like destiny.”* With Trackhouse’s global vision and his own resilience—honed through a career-threatening 2018 crash at Spa—the stars may finally align for this cross-disciplinary racer.

If successful, Fittipaldi’s journey could further bridge the gap between F1 and NASCAR, inspiring a new generation of drivers to embrace versatility in motorsport.

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