![]() ![]() New NASCAR Rules Will Potentially Benefit Castroneves The SRX Series crew was able to get the car ready in time for practice, and Castroneves used it to capture the first win of the year, as well as a big opportunity. It just needed some prep work and the vinyl wrap. The car, which Castroneves drove during the 2021 SRX Series season, was available. However, the series added a 13th last-minute after Castroneves purchased his own ticket on a commercial flight to get to Pensacola. There were 12 drivers set to compete, including Ryan Newman and Bill Elliott. The 47-year-old was not actually on the initial entry list for the SRX Series opener. The reason is that he landed a full-time seat for the 2022 NTT Ind圜ar season, so his focus is on contending for strong finishes in the No. The four-time Indy 500 champ is not running the full 2022 season schedule. GettyHelio Castroneves moved back to a full-time schedule in the NTT Ind圜ar Series. Sign up for the Heavy on NASCAR Newsletter!Ĭastroneves Was a Late Addition for the SRX Series Opener “Now, he’s got to make it happen on his end but it’s so cool to be here and what a great opportunity.”ĪLL the latest NASCAR news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Heavy on NASCAR newsletter here! “This year, for me to race SRX, Hawk said ‘look, win a race and I’ll help you find a ride for Daytona, and I told him we had a deal,” Castroneves told Racing America’s Matt Weaver after his win. Castroneves delivered, and now Hawk has confirmed to Racing America that he will pay up. Hawk told him to win one of the races on his part-time schedule, and he would use his connections to get him a seat for a race at Daytona International Speedway. Four-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves won the Superstar Racing Experience season-opener and held up his end of a bargain involving a chance to compete in NASCAR.ĭon Hawk, the CEO of the Camping World SRX Series, made a deal with Castroneves ahead of the 2022 season. In Victory Lane, Castroneves revealed a bet he made with SRX CEO Don Hawk: If Castroneves won the race, Hawk would have to give Castroneves the funding to run a NASCAR race at Daytona for the first time in his career.Helio Castroneves celebrates his fourth Indy 500 win.Īveteran competitor has just secured a unique opportunity. There was a great deal riding on Saturday night's race for Castroneves. Pollard's advance stalled at second, as he had to muscle the difficult-to-pass Ryan Newman out of the way on the final lap to take that spot. But his chance at winning was severely compromised when he cut down a left rear tire, forcing him to come to pit road under caution and then come all the way back from the rear of the field. ![]() Pollard's primary challengers came from the Ind圜ar ranks, as Castroneves, Kanaan and Paul Tracy led much of the night between the opening two Heat races and the 75-lap main event.Įven in extreme heat - temperatures were in the high 90s before sundown, so intense that they actually cooked the pace car before the main event - Pollard looked like one cool customer. The surprise, though, was who ended up challenging him for the win throughout the night. To no one's surprise, former Snowball Derby winner and four-time Five Flags Speedway track champion Bubba Pollard quickly established himself as the driver to beat. It turned out a car was available, and it ended up being quickly prepared for Castroneves to eventually take to the winner's circle. ET last night, when he texted SRX's Don Hawk to see if there was a car available for him to drive. After clearing Kanaan for the lead, Castroneves built a comfortable lead for himself to cruise to victory as Pollard and Ryan Newman put on a spirited battle for second in the final laps.Īccording to Matt Weaver of Racing America, Castroneves' path to victory began at 10:34 p.m. Then, Castroneves changed his plans - and based on the trophy he now has, it's a good thing he did.Īfter being a late entry for the SRX season opener, Castroneves outdueled fellow Brazilian Tony Kanaan and short track ace Bubba Pollard to take the checkered flag and win at Five Flags Speedway. A little over 24 hours ago, Helio Castroneves hadn't been planning to compete in the season opener for the Camping World SRX Series. ![]()
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