DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Hugely popular four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves showed up for Wednesday’s interviews with the national media smiling and optimistic. In other words, typical Castroneves spirit.
In his first official NASCAR Cup Series practice at the track—driving the No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet—Castroneves was second fastest among the rookies and 12th overall.
No matter how Castroneves fares in Wednesday night’s pole-qualifying or Thursday’s Duel 150, he has already been granted a starting position in Sunday’s race as an Open Exemption Provisional—a special designation Trackhouse Racing requested from NASCAR more than 90 days prior to the race.
The provisional, which NASCAR granted, is designed to give world-class drivers who are not full-time NASCAR competitors a chance to race. Only one such provisional is granted per event.
Castroneves conceded it’s all been a learning exercise, from negotiating directions from pit lane to the garage and how to properly pit, not to mention allowing more room between the car and pit wall than he is used to competing in IndyCar so the NASCAR crew has ample space to change the tires.
“Every step has been a learning process,” said Castroneves, who will also attempt to race in this year’s Indianapolis 500 in hopes of earning a historic, unprecedented fifth win.
“I’ve been watching a lot of in-car cameras,” he added. “Understanding a lot of the rules and being in touch with the guys (on the team) because the language is different. When you come out of the pits, normally they say, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa,’ but here they say, ‘Dig, dig, dig.’
“I know it sounds interesting or different; however, it’s completely the opposite of what I’m used to. So, I have to adapt. … all these little details, even though it’s a race car, it’s very different. When you are in a big race like this, every little detail matters, so I am trying to study all these details.”
Throughout his time with the NASCAR press Wednesday, the 49-year-old Castroneves reminded reporters that, although he is thoroughly enjoying his time at track and behind the wheel in this new quest, he is quite serious about the ultimate goal.
“At the end of the day, I’m not here just to cause attention,” Castroneves said. “I’m going to do everything I can to do the job.
“But the camera cannot see the smile behind my helmet. It will feel so good. Super excited.”
Source: Holly Cain
