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Daytona Beach, Fla.-the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneseves knows he will start his first Nascar Cup in Sunday’s Daytona 500.
Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time cup champion, can’t be so sure that he will be in the big US race for his 699th series.
The essence of this inequality is a new Nascar rule that makes a preliminary starting place – minus the points and money that can be earned in that race – for a world -class manager. Only one such provisional is available by breed and it must be requested 90 days before an event.
William Byron wants to repeat his 2024 Daytona 500 victory.
Trackhouse Racing has the preliminary request and can use it with CastroneVes if he does not earn a starting place by qualifying Wednesday night or Thursday’s duel.
In the appropriate time, Legacy Motor Club did not request the preliminary for Johnson. The two-time Daytona 500 champion has no guarantee to make the race.
“We really didn’t know about it until the rule (in January) came out,” Johnson said at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday afternoon. ‘It is apparently buried in the charter agreement that has been pushed out.
“When the rule came out … Three minutes later we were on the phone with Nascar and acknowledged that it was not in the 90-day window (before the 500) and that we were not eligible.
“We talked to everyone at Nascar a lot. I have a better understanding of the intention of the rule. I would expect some changes here to define and make it clear. “
Nascar plans to discuss the rule further to Daytona determine whether any elucidations should be made. In a meeting with reporters last month, Nascar said Johnson and former cup champion Martin Truex Jr. Qualify as elite executives based on their achievements.
The field is ready for the 67th Daytona 500 in two 60-round events at Daytona International Speedway.
Johnson said he and the team read the rule: “Our response was not great.”
When asked if he was pissed, Johnson said: ‘Initially, yes. When I talked to (Nascar chairman) Jim France when I was here for the Rolex 24 and the intention behind it, I now understand what he is trying to do.
‘The words did not come out correctly in the charter agreement or the interactions below, but I really believe in bringing a Formula One driver, an IndyCar driver, whoever it is, and it takes time to Finding a time to run, find a partnership to do so, to really take advantage of the opportunity.
“I think that’s really good for our sport. Only the delivery was a little tricky this time. “
This puts Johnson in a binder. Borg Carvana brought in Pro Basket Ball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal and the design of the car was inspired by O’Neal’s basket ball career. Johnson said it was part of a promotion for the Daytona 500 and the NBA All-Star match next weekend.
“TNT and Fox work together and work with planned interaction back and forth,” Johnson said of the NBA All-Star Game broadcaster and network that will air the Daytona 500. ‘And of course we want Shaq here. With the eyeballs and added exposure, it will achieve more, as you will have (see) the two networks and different fanbase and have to be really good. So if we are not in the race, it is definitely a disgrace.
Here is a look at the prediction for all the opportunities that lead to the Daytona 500 and the Nascar race in the season.
Denny Hamlin questions the new rule earlier this month before the collision at Bowman Gray.
“I just think – it’s desperation,” he said. “I don’t know how to say it differently. I don’t know how nice you can really say it. It just feels like you’re really trying to get any kind of head you can to be relevant and I don’t like it.
‘For me, it’s a short -term profit, long -term loss. I just think you’re a leading stock car series in the US, the Premier Racing Sport in the US; Be the big boys and force people to come here and get their credentials and do them in the natural way.
‘I don’t think it’s going to be a big factor anywhere but Daytona, but just stated and say that someone has a name that interests you and that they will have an automatic bid in the highest form of motorsport the US – I don’t like it. ‘
Chase Elliott admits he sees both sides of the case.
“You would hate to have a Helio Castronevest, a Max Verstappen, a Lewis Hamilton or someone who has a race and then miss the show because of something stupid,” Elliott said at The Clash earlier this month. “I can definitely see the aspect of it from a promotor side of things, where you don’t want to dare, because of course it will be a big case for you.
“But I also think that with sought after breeds there must be some kind of integrity to make the show. I think it’s part of what makes the breed sought after. You know, this is a difficult event to make. I think you see it with the Indianapolis 500, or do you see it at the Chili Bowl, right? It’s a difficult race to make. It’s a big deal just to get into the show so I can see both sides of the fence there. I think it’s perfectly good.
“I just don’t want to humiliate or injure the long -term integrity of the sport and take the prestige out of the events that should be of our biggest days of the year.”
Castroneseves said on Wednesday that he understood the consternation on the rule and its impact would not make Johnson or Truex the Daytona 500.
“I never knew the rule existed, but if I had to take it, I wouldn’t deny, I would take it.”
