Latest news with #OpenExemptionProvisional
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR Makes Changes to Open Exemption Provisional Rule
A revision to NASCAR's Open Exemption Provisional rules says the OEP won't be implemented if there are 40 or fewer vehicles qualifying for an event. In announcing the change Wednesday afternoon, NASCAR said a requested and approved OEP would be activated automatically 'if more than 40 vehicles qualify for the event.' With the use of the OEP, the field size will increase to 41. The OEP vehicle will start in the position in which the driver qualified, but it won't be eligible for points or prize money. Under the revision, if there are 40 or less vehicles entered in the event, the OEP will not be activated, and the vehicle will be eligible for points and prize money. The OEP was used by Trackhouse Racing to guarantee four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves entrance into the Daytona 500 field. He started last and wasn't eligible for points and prize money. Prior to the start of the 2025 season, NASCAR officials said they would review the OEP rules after Daytona.
New York Times
23-02-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
How to watch, odds for the Ambetter Health 400, NASCAR's Cup Series race in Atlanta
William Byron stunningly emerged from Daytona as a back-to-back champion, setting up a tense second major race on Sunday. The NASCAR season migrates from the Fun Coast to the ATL this weekend. This track was the site of an all-time finish last year. This was certainly short of an ideal finish. Kyle Busch was not amused: Big trouble on the backstretch! Blaney, Busch, Logano and Elliott are all among those involved! #DAYTONA500 — NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 17, 2025 Byron was the unexpected winner last time out, and he's triumphed here in Atlanta twice (2022, 2023). Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano are tied for Sunday's best odds on BetMGM at a 10-to-1 payout. Daniel Suárez, who won last year, is at +2200 this time around. Qualifying races can be found on Amazon's Prime Video on Saturday, starting at 11:30 a.m. ET. Advertisement If you're looking for more NASCAR coverage as you tune in, check out The Athletic's Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi: Bianchi on the history of crash endings at Daytona: 'The introduction of the Next Gen car — which has standardized parts from a single supplier and limits the differences in speed between cars — in 2022 has made the competition closer. The cars have less horsepower and are easier to drive. The quest to gain vital track position has compelled teams to devise strategies to compensate, such as running at less than 100 percent throttle to preserve fuel and save precious seconds on pit road. All of this has changed how superspeedway races unfold, creating the impression that no longer is it paramount to be a great driver with a great team but more about biding your time and capitalizing on others' misfortune and/or mistakes. 'They should just make the race 65 laps,' driver Riley Herbst said after Sunday's race. 'We're all just twiddling our thumbs for 450 miles, and then the crew chief says, 'OK, you can race now.' That's it. And then you wreck.'' Gluck on the new OEP: 'NASCAR's most controversial new rule turned out to be a non-factor this year. When the Open Exemption Provisional was put into the new charter agreement, apparently only Trackhouse Racing saw it or knew about it. So team owner Justin Marks requested a provisional for four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, who used it to get the new 41st position in the race. That upset both seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. (who called it a 'slap in the face'). They would have liked to use it themselves and figured they would be worthy contributors as opposed to a driver who had never made a NASCAR start before. Thankfully for NASCAR, both Johnson and Truex promptly qualified on speed. The final two spots were taken by the next-best stories as well; Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s JR Motorsports team made its Cup Series debut and finished in the top 10, and Corey LaJoie gambled his children's college fund on securing a ride in the 500 (then found a sponsor after putting up the money).' (Photo by Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Scott Dixon Wants to Run the 2026 Daytona 500
Before IMSA testing at Sebring, six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon stopped at the Daytona 500 to support his friend and past IndyCar competitor Jimmie Johnson take on the Great American Race. In a conversation on air with Fox Sports, Dixon admitted to talking with people around the paddock about a ride in next year's Daytona 5oo. When asked by Fox Sports if he would ever consider running the 500, Dixon admitted that he was just talking about it, presumably with Johnson. "We were just talking about that, trying to work out how I can do my entry next year," Dixon said. With Helio Castroneves attempting the Daytona 500 for the first time this year, and the creation of the Open Exemption Provisional that allows superstars from other series to qualify for the Daytona 500 automatically, the road is paved for more IndyCar stars to attempt. Johnson is using a third non-chartered Legacy Motor Club car to race this year, but next year, the seven-time champion could very well decide he doesn't want to race, creating the opening for Dixon to race on his team. Dixon is no stranger to Daytona International Speedway; just last month, he was part of the Meyer Shank Racing Acura No. 60 that took second in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Dixon will test for IMSA's Meyer Shank Racing team this week at Sebring before the 12 hours. Weather and logistics moved Daytona up an hour, so Dixon hopes to stay for the whole race, taking it in with the Legacy team. "I haven't been to the 500 for probably 10 years," Dixon said. "It's nice to be back. Obviously, we just ran the 24 Hour here, and I'm excited for [IndyCar's] partnership with Fox. I'm excited to see the race tomorrow. It actually helps that they moved the start time up before we go testing Monday and Tuesday at Sebring. Come to see my good friend Jimmie." You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
NASCAR's Open Exemption Provisional allowing Hélio Castroneves to race in the Daytona 500, explained
Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. You may have heard about some recent NASCAR rule changes that allow Hélio Castroneves to compete in the 2025 Daytona 500 and are wondering what's going on. That's OK because we're here to help. Hélio Castroneves is a motorsports legend with an illustrious career that would make any racer envious. Among his many accomplishments, nothing stands out quite like winning four Indianapolis 500s: 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2021. And now, at 49 years old, the Brazilian driver is making the jump to NASCAR with his first Cup Series start in Sunday's Daytona 500 behind the wheel of the No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. But his appearance in the biggest race on NASCAR's schedule wasn't guaranteed and is the result of a recent rule change. Let's break it down. NASCAR HISTORY: Every Daytona 500 champion in history (2025 edition) What is NASCAR's new Open Exemption Provisional rule? NASCAR announced several rule changes and updates back in January, and the Open Exemption Provisional, or OEP, was among them. Simply put, the rule allows on a case-by-case basis for world-class drivers to still compete in races, even if they don't qualify for the race through traditional avenues. As NASCAR explained: Competition officials compared the new provisional spot to the 'promoter's choice provisional' that's used in some forms of short-track racing to guarantee a starting spot for a special or invited entrant. The Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) rule would only become a factor if the entry list exceeded the Cup Series' current starting-field maximum of 40 cars, and eligible drivers would need pre-approval by NASCAR on a case-by-case basis – with racing experience and accolades carrying significant weight. Castroneves obviously falls into that category after decades of open-wheeled racing in the IndyCar Series. "If I have to take it, I'll take it." Hélio Castroneves on NASCAR's new Open Exemption Provisional. @NASCARonFOX | #DAYTONA500 — INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) February 12, 2025 However, when an OEP entry is used, if the driver wins the race, he or she receives only credit for the win and All-Star Race eligibility — no prize money, points or NASCAR playoff eligibility. Earlier this month, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin criticized the rule change, calling it a 'a short-term gain, long-term loss' that 'reeks of desperation.' Kyle Busch, however, recognized it could 'bring eyeballs to our sport.' HÉLIO CASTRONEVES: See Hélio Castroneves win his 4th Indy 500 with this thrilling late pass Were more than 40 cars entered in the 2025 Daytona 500? Yes. This week, there were 45 total cars entered in the Daytona 500, competing in qualifying sessions this week for a spot in the race. Normally, the Daytona 500 features 40 cars. The 36 charter teams with full-time Cup drivers were guaranteed spots in the race, and the other nine open-entry drivers competed for the remaining four positions — five if you include the OEP, which would make it a 41-car field. How did Hélio Castroneves qualify for the Daytona 500? Initially, Castroneves was hoping to use NASCAR's standard qualifying procedure — single-car qualifying Wednesday for the pole and two duels Thursday for the starting lineup order — to make the Daytona 500 field. Unfortunately for him, he was involved in an eight-car accident during one of the qualifying duels Thursday, forcing him to use the Open Exemption Provisional. Huge hit for Chandler Smith! 💥 His chances of making the #Daytona500 are over 💔 Helio Castroneves was also involved, but he can fall back on a provisional to make the race. 🎥 @NASCARONFOX — (@Motorsport) February 14, 2025 Trouble for Hélio Castroneves in Duel No. 1 at Daytona. — INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) February 14, 2025 So he and the No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet team will be starting the Daytona 500 dead-last in the 41st position. Nowhere to go but up.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Daytona 500 starting lineup: What's driver order for 2025 Great American Race?
The Daytona 500 is set for the green flag at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, and pole sitter Chase Briscoe will lead the 41-car field to the starting line at Daytona International Speedway. Wednesday's qualifying and Thursday's Duels, won by Bubba Wallace and Austin Cindric, solidified the grid. Although the race usually includes 40 teams, Helio Castroneves gained entry through NASCAR's new Open Exemption Provisional. He'll begin at the back of the pack. Here's the lineup. Buy our Daytona 500 book here Row 1 No. 19 Chase Briscoe No. 2 Austin Cindric Row 2 No. 23 Bubba Wallace No. 43 Erik Jones Row 3 No. 24 William Byron No. 17 Chris Buescher Row 4 No. 10 Ty Dillon No. 11 Denny Hamlin Row 5 No. 1 Ross Chastain No. 22 Joey Logano Row 6 No. 45 Tyler Reddick No. 01 Corey LaJoie Row 7 No. 16 A.J. Allmendinger No. 34 Todd Gilliland Row 8 No. 3 Austin Dillon No. 12 Ryan Blaney Row 9 No. 9 Chase Elliott No. 42 John Hunter Nemechek Row 10 No. 40 Justin Allgaier No. 20 Christopher Bell Row 11 No. 8 Kyle Busch No. 5 Kyle Larson Row 12 No. 54 Ty Gibbs No. 35 Riley Herbst Row 13 No. 71 Michael McDowell No. 88 Shane van Gisbergen Row 14 No. 60 Ryan Preece No. 51 Cody Ware Row 15 No. 4 Josh Berry No. 41 Cole Custer Row 16 No. 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. No. 4 Noah Gragson Row 17 No. 77 Carson Hocevar No. 6 Brad Keselowski Row 18 No. 7 Justin Haley No. 99 Daniel Suarez Row 19 No. 38 Zane Smith No. 48 Alex Bowman Row 20 No. 56 Martin Truex Jr. No. 84 Jimmie Johnson Row 21 No. 91 Helio Castroneves This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona 500 lineup: Starting grid for 2025 NASCAR race
