Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will race in the Daytona 500 as the 41st driver, thanks to a new rule that allows a “world-class driver” to earn a provisional spot.
Castroneves had hoped to earn his place without the provisional but was involved in an early eight-car crash that damaged his Chevrolet, forcing him to retire from the 150-mile qualifying race at Daytona International Speedway.
“Unfortunately, we’re going to have to take the provisional,” Castroneves said. “That’s not what we wanted, but we will. And, in the end, we have more to learn.”
Bubba Wallace, driving a Toyota for Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing, won the first of the two qualifying races, which determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500.
“I’ve wanted one of these Duel wins for so long,” Wallace said. “All my buddies got one. I got one now. I’m good.”
One driver from each qualifying race earns a spot in “The Great American Race,” with reigning Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier securing the “open” spot in the first race, beating J.J. Yeley.
Allgaier’s success will mark the Cup Series debut of JR Motorsports, owned by two-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister. The car is sponsored by a whiskey brand founded by Grammy winner Chris Stapleton.
“This means a lot to our team, this little team of JR Motorsports. Dale Jr. is an amazing race car driver. He’s an amazing dad, car owner. You can tell how much he wanted this and our whole shop wanted this,” Allgaier said. “To see this happen, everybody at Traveler Whiskey, Chris Stapleton will be here on Sunday. I’m excited to see him here and debut this car in the Daytona 500 and JR Motorsports in the Daytona 500.”
Austin Cindric, driving a Ford for Team Penske, won the second qualifying race after NASCAR ruled he was ahead of Erik Jones when the caution came out on the final lap. Jones had thought he won the race in the No. 43 car, a ride that last saw a victory in Daytona in 1977 with Richard Petty, but NASCAR declared Cindric the winner.
Bubba Wallace crosses the finish line“What just happened?” Cindric asked after learning he was the winner.
Cindric had to walk from pit lane across the grass to get the checkered flag, only to find there was no flag. Instead, he climbed towards the fans and threw his hat into the crowd.
Jones was disappointed.
“It’s a wide-range of emotions, it’s a bummer,” Jones said. “I don’t know what we could have done different. It’s the rule. Hopefully, we can be in that same spot Sunday.”
Corey LaJoie, in a part-time ride for Rick Ware Racing, secured the final open spot in the field.
“You forget how special this race is, when you are racing full-time it’s the first race of 36,” LaJoie said. “We’ve got 500 miles on Sunday to see if we can get a little closer to the front.”
Castroneves’ crash means he will be the 41st driver in the race, making Sunday’s field the largest since 2015, when there were 43 cars. Trackhouse Racing won’t receive any points or purse payout for Castroneves’ efforts, and every driver who finishes behind him will move up in the order.
“I was having a good time,” Castroneves said. “The good news is hopefully the guys will be able to fix the car. I learned so much, such small details that folks from the other side of TV don’t understand. It’s so interesting. And I love it.”
The provisional rule has caused some controversy. Seven-time NASCAR champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson and 2017 NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr. didn’t understand why they weren’t considered for the “world-class driver” spot.
This rule was introduced in the new charter agreements signed by teams in September, but neither Johnson nor Truex were aware of it until it was announced. By then, the 90-day window to request the provisional had passed.
Despite this, Johnson and Truex each earned their spots in the Daytona 500 field in Wednesday night’s time trials.
Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is different from other races, as only the front row is determined in time trials. Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing won the pole and will start alongside Cindric of Team Penske. The two fastest drivers from the nine “open” entries claim a spot, and the final two open spots are decided in the Thursday night qualifying races.
