MOORESVILLE, N.C. Since winning his fourth Indianapolis 500 in 2021, Helio Castroneves has expressed his desire to compete in the biggest race in NASCAR Cup Series racing the Daytona 500.

On Monday, January 6, Castroneves got his wish, thanks to NASCAR Cup Series team owner Justin Marks and his Project91 team at Trackhouse Racing.

He will drive the No. 91 Wendys Chevrolet.

Castroneves was one of only five drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 in back-to-back years when he won in 2001 and 2002. Since then, Josef Newgarden has become the sixth driver to win the Indy 500 back-to-back with his victories in 2023 and 2024.

Castroneves became a three-time winner in 2009 and finally reached the four-time Indy 500 winner level with a dramatic victory over Alex Palou in the 2021. Castroneves joined racing legends A.J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977), the late Al Unser (1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987) and Rick Mears (1979, 1984, 1988 and 1991) to win the Indianapolis 500 four times in their career.

Project91 was created by Marks to give top international drivers a chance to compete in NASCAR including Australian Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen, who won the Grant Park 220 Chicago Street Race on July 2, 2023. It was the first time a driver drove to victory in his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race since Johnny Rutherford won at Daytona in 1963.

The Project91 win catapulted the New Zealand native to a career in NASCAR as he becomes a full-time NASCAR Cup Series rookie in 2025.

Castroneves is currently an ownership partner at Meyer Shank Racing in IndyCar and will compete in the 2025 Indianapolis 500 as he attempts to become the first five-time winner in the history of the famed race.

The No. 91 Chevrolet will carry the Wendys livery during the 2025 Speedweeks as he seeks to join Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt as the only drivers to win the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500.

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, said Castroneves.

This is an opportunity that nobody in their right mind could ever turn down. I am so thankful to Wendys for allowing me to wear their uniform and drive their car, (Trackhouse owner) Justin Marks and everyone that made this happen. I wish the race were tomorrow!

Marks created Project91 in 2022 intent on expanding the organizations global reach by fielding a Cup Series entry for renowned international racing drivers. Castroneves will join Trackhouse full-time Cup drivers Daniel Suárez, Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen.

The season-opening Daytona 500 will mark Castroneves first NASCAR Cup Series start and the fifth race for Project91 after appearances by 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Räikkönen at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Intl and Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas in 2022 as well as Van Gisbergens races at the Chicago Street Race and the Indianapolis Road Course in 2023.

Castroneves said expecting a victory in his debut might be unrealistic but knows he will have the equipment to succeed.

I know how much of a challenge this is going to be, but I also know the type of people and team Trackhouse Racing will bring to the effort, said Castroneves. I cant wait to get to the Trackhouse race shop in North Carolina to meet everyone and prepare for Daytona. There is so much I must learn and Im ready to get started.

Darian Grubb, a 24-time winning crew chief who won a Cup Series title with Tony Stewart in 2011, will lead the No. 91 team in Daytona.

Marks said adding Castroneves to Project91 was an obvious choice.

Hélio is one of the greatest drivers of all time and exactly the type of driver we want to bring to NASCAR, said Marks.

I think race fans around the world will be excited to see Hélio in NASCARs most prestigious race. It also exposes our sport to a global audience and allows them to see just how great of a series we have in NASCAR.

Castroneves is one of four drivers to have won the Indianapolis 500 four times (2001, 2002, 2009, and 2021) and was runner-up in the IndyCar Series drivers championship four times (2002, 2008, 2013, and 2014). He is a three-time winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, consecutively in 2021 with Wayne Taylor Racing and 2022 and 2023 with Meyer Shank, in addition to the overall 2020 IMSA championship with Team Penske.

Castroneves does have experience driving cars with a roof including 16 IROC races (2002-2005) and starts in the Supercars and Brazil stock car series.