Helio Castroneves has already accumulated a fantastic racing resume that includes a combined six triumphs in the Indianapolis 500 and Rolex 24. However, there is one thing that Castroneves has never had the opportunity to try, despite wanting to his entire career.
Competing for Roger Penske in the NTT IndyCar Series for more than two decades, Castroneves detailed on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, that he often asked his team owner for the chance to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series car.
What's next for @h3lio?
Castroneves tells @DanielleTrotta & @JeffBurton #SXMOnTrack that he has his eyes set on @NASCAR
#Rolex24 | #NASCAR | @MeyerShankRac | @SIRIUSXM pic.twitter.com/fjys1ek05y— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) January 31, 2022
“He never let me drive a cup car,” said Castroneves. “and I swear to god, I always asked him and I said for a long time, and I didn’t ask repetitively, I’d wait for one to two years and then when he said no, another two years, ‘hey, what about this, maybe there’s a test I can do, who knows.’ Finally, he said no, I’m not going to let you do that.”
Now, Castroneves – no longer employed by Team Penske — says that he’d love the opportunity to run in the NASCAR Cup Series, citing possibly the Daytona 500 or even a road course race after competing in SRX in 2021.
“That would be something I’d like to try because I feel like I’d like to check that box on the bucket list.”
