Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves claimed one of the four open spots in the season-opening Daytona 500 as part of a slew of rule changes NASCAR announced Friday. Castroneves is guaranteed a spot in the field under a new provision that earmarks a starting position for what NASCAR called "world-class drivers" who enter a Cup Series race.

Starting in 2025, star drivers who haven't competed in NASCAR are eligible to automatically qualify for a Cup Series race.

Helio Castroneves, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner and one of the more popular drivers of his generation, will make his NASCAR debut in next month’s Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500, Trackhouse Racing announced Monday. Castroneves will drive a car fielded by Trackhouse Racing.

Four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castronves will make his NASCAR debut at age 49 when he attempts to race the 2025 Daytona 500.

With his illustrious racing career expanding, Hélio Castroneves made a bet. Should the four-time Indianapolis 500 champion win in his Superstar Racing Experience debut, then-SRX director Don Hawk told him he’d start making connections in NASCAR.

Castroneves will compete in the ARCA 200 at Daytona on Feb. 15, one day before his planned NASCAR Cup Series debut.

To prepare for his attempt in the 2025 Daytona 500, Helio Castroneves will compete in the ARCA Daytona 200, driving the No. 82 for Pinnacle Racing Group.