Trackhouse Racing Reveals $3.2 Billion Company to Sponsor Helio Castroneves

1 day ago 3

Helio Castroneves, known for his strong achievements with four victories at the Indianapolis 500, plans to take on the challenge of qualifying for the Daytona 500. This upcoming attempt will see Castroneves joining forces with Trackhouse Racing, which has appointed experienced crew chief Darian Grubb to guide the mission. To further support their efforts, the Project 91 car, which Castroneves will drive, will be backed by sponsorship from Wendy's.

Castroneves is celebrated for his wins at the Indianapolis 500 and has been a four-time runner-up in the IndyCar Series. He has also enjoyed success in endurance racing, including three back-to-back victories at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and an IMSA championship win with Team Penske in 2020. Speaking about his upcoming debut, Castroneves explained, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports:

"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.

"I can't 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 I'm ready to get started."

Taking up the role of crew chief is Darian Grubb, a seasoned professional with a record of 24 Cup Series victories and a championship under his belt when he teamed with Tony Stewart in 2011.

Grubb's experience spans working with renowned teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing. At Trackhouse Racing, he is not only serving as the crew chief for Castroneves' car but also directing performance strategies.

Trackhouse Racing has gained a reputation for its innovative approach to NASCAR, thanks in large part to the leadership of Justin Marks. Marks has been at the forefront of introducing international talent to NASCAR's competitive arena.

He has previously brought drivers like Kimi Räikkönen and Shane van Gisbergen through the team's Project 91 initiative, which offers drivers outside of NASCAR the opportunity to compete in North America's premier racing series.

With Wendy's, reportedly worth $3.2 billion, stepping in as a sponsor, there's significant brand visibility for the Project 91 car.

Justin Marks commented:

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

"I think race fans around the world will be excited to see Hélio in NASCAR's 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."