By Luis Torres, Staff Writer/Photographer
Exemptions, DVPs and waivers headline NASCAR’s rule updates as each have created tremendous buzz and several discussions across the board. This was a result of the sanctioning body issuing a rules bulletin Friday that has already created several implications ahead of the 2025 season.
Among the changes issued by the sanctioning body was the inclusion of a new provisional that will help international drivers from a different motorsports discipline who’d like to compete in the sport’s premiere division.
Known as NASCAR’s version of a promoter’s provisional, a common usage for short and dirt track racing, the Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) allows an extra entry to compete in the Cup Series. The OEP will only apply for non-full-time NASCAR drivers and if the entry list has more than 40 cars. Then the OEP rule will be applied, and it’ll extend the field from 40 to 41 cars with the Daytona 500 being the focal point of the new rule.
Following Friday’s announcement, NASCAR confirmed that four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves is guaranteed a spot in the 67th Daytona 500 should it be used following the Duels at Daytona qualifying races on Thursday, February 13.
Castroneves will pilot Trackhouse Racing’s No. 91 Chevrolet as part of the organization’s PROJECT91 effort. With the OEP rule applied, he’ll become the first Brazilian to compete in “The Great American Race” since Christian Fittipaldi in 2003, where he finished 35th for Andy Petree Racing. Not only that, but Castroneves will also become the 16th former Indy 500 champion to compete in the Daytona 500, joining fellow four-time winners Al Unser, and 1972 Daytona 500 winner A.J. Foyt.
However, if Castroneves ends up being among the top-two fastest Open Car entries during Wednesday’s qualifying session or races his way into the Daytona 500 via Thursday’s Duels, then the field will stay at 40 cars. Should the Brazilian not accomplish either of those, then the field will expand to 41 cars for the race on February 17.
While it guarantees Castroneves a spot in the Daytona 500, there are several caveats with the OEP. If the provisional is used, the driver (Castroneves) and car owner (Justin Marks and Trackhouse) won’t be eligible for race and playoff points, prize money or any tiebreaker benefits.
Additionally, should an OEP car win a stage and/or overall race, the entry will be credited with the race…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at NASCAR – Motorsports Tribune…