New Nascar rule could affect Jimmie Johnson’s chances of doing Daytona 500

Update: Jimmie Johnson qualified second in qualifying on Wednesday evening among the nine non -chartered cars and guaranteed him a place in the Daytona 500.

Daytona Beach, Florida and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castoneves knows that he will start his first Nascar Cup start in Daytona 500 on Sunday.

The seven-time cup champion Jimmie Johnson cannot be so sure that he will be in the Great American Race for his 699th series start.

At the center of this inequality is a new NASCAR rule that allows it for a first -class driver -minus the points and the money that could be earned in this race. Only such a provisional one is available per breed and must be requested 90 days before an event.

William Byron tries to repeat his 2024 Daytona 500 win.

Trackhouse Racing called for the provisional and could use it with Castoneves if he deserves a starting place by Wednesday evening.

Legacy Motor Club did not apply for the provisional time for Johnson. The two -time daytona 500 champion has no guarantee of making the race.

“We really didn’t know about the rule (in January),” said Johnson on Wednesday afternoon at the Daytona International Speedway. “Obviously it was buried in the Charter Agreement that was pushed out.

“When the rule came out … three minutes later we talked to Nascar and realized that it was not in the 90-day window (before 500) and that we were not justified.

“We have had many conversations with everyone at Nascar. I have a better understanding of the rule of the rule. I would expect some changes that follow here to better define and clarify this. “

Nascar plans to continue to discuss the rule to Daytona, whether clarification must be made. In a meeting with reporters last month, Nascar said that Johnson and the former Cup champion Martin Truex Jr. qualify as an elite driver because of their achievements.

The field is set for the 67th Daytona 500 in two 60-round events at the Daytona International Speedway.

Johnson said he and the team read the rule “Our reaction was not great.”

When asked if he was angry, Johnson said: “At first yes. When I spoke to (NASCAR chairman) Jim France when I was here for the Rolex 24 and understood the intention behind it, I now understand what he is trying to do.

“The words have not really come out in the charter agreement or the following interactions, but I really believe that I have the chance to achieve a Formula -1 driver, an Indycar driver, whoever it may be, and that takes time to find a time to run, you will find a partnership to take this opportunity.

“I think it’s really good for our sport. Only the delivery was a bit difficult this time. “

It brings Johnson into a bond. The sponsor Carvana brought the professional basketball -hall from Famer Shaquille O’Neal and the design of the car is inspired by O’Neal’s basketball career. Johnson said it was part of an action for the Daytona 500 and the NBA All-Star game the following weekend.

“TNT and FOX work together with planned interaction with planned interaction and work together,” said Johnson about the NBA All-Star Game broadcaster and the network that will radiate the Daytona 500. “And of course we would like to have Shaq here. This has more range with the eyekins and the additional exposure, since you have the two networks and different fan bases (observation) and should be really, very good. So if we are not in the race, that’s definitely a shame.

Here is a look at the prediction for all events that lead to the Daytona 500 and the Nascar race of the season opening.

Denny Hamlin questioned the new rule at the beginning of this month before Bowman Gray’s collision.

“I just think – it is after despair,” he said. “I don’t know how to say it otherwise. I don’t know how beautiful you can really say. It just feels like they really try to get a heading to be relevant and I don’t love it.

“For me it is a short -term profit, long -term loss. I just think that you are the leading Stock Car series in the USA, the leading racing in the USA. Be the big boys and force people to come here and get your registration information and make it naturally.

“I don’t think the USA – I don’t love it. “

Chase Elliott admits that he sees both sides of the matter.

“You would hate it if a Helio Castoneves, a Max Verstappen, a Lewis Hamilton or someone came in to run a race and then miss the show because of something stupid,” said Elliott at the beginning of this month. “Therefore, I can certainly see this aspect from a promoter page of things in which you do not want to risk this because this will obviously be a big thing for you.

“But I also think that there should be a kind of integrity on the show with respected races. I think that is part of what makes the breed prestigious. You know it’s a difficult event. I think you see this with the Indianapolis 500 or you see it in the chili bowl, right? It is a difficult race. It is a big deal only to get into the show so that I can see both sides of the fence there. I think it’s totally okay.

“I would never want to impair or violate the long -term integrity of sport and take out the prestige from events that should be some of our greatest days of the year.”

Castoneves said on Wednesday that he understands dismaying the rule and its effects if Johnson or Truex should not do the Daytona 500.

“I never knew that the rule existed, but if I have to take it, I won’t deny it, I’ll take it.”