DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Helio Castroneves, a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion, is set to participate in the Daytona 500 as the special 41st driver due to a newly introduced rule permitting a “world-class driver” to secure a provisional entry.

The Brazilian racer aimed to qualify without relying on the provisional spot but was caught in an early multi-car incident involving eight vehicles. This collision forced his Chevrolet to the garage for repairs, eliminating his chances to qualify during the 150-mile qualifying race at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday night.

“We didn’t want to rely on the provisional, but now we have no choice,” Castroneves stated. “It’s not the outcome we envisioned, but there’s always something to learn from every experience.”

Bubba Wallace, driving a Toyota for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team, clinched victory in the first of two qualifying races, which determine the starting lineup for the season-opening Daytona 500.

“I’ve been aiming for one of these Duel wins for ages,” Wallace expressed. “All my friends have one, and now I finally do. I’m thrilled.”

Each qualifying event allows one driver to advance to “The Great American Race,” with reigning Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier outpacing J.J. Yeley to secure the final available slot from the first race.

Allgaier’s inclusion marks the Cup Series debut for JR Motorsports, co-owned by two-time Daytona 500 champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. The car is sponsored by a whiskey brand established by Grammy-winning artist Chris Stapleton.

“This is a significant moment for our small JR Motorsports family. Dale Jr. is not only a remarkable driver but also an incredible father and team owner. His passion and determination were palpable, and the entire team felt it,” Allgaier remarked. “We’re excited to debut this car at the Daytona 500, especially with Chris Stapleton joining us on Sunday.”

Austin Cindric, representing Team Penske in a Ford, secured victory in the second qualifying race after NASCAR determined he was ahead of Erik Jones when the caution waved on the final lap. Jones believed he had won the first Daytona qualifying race since Richard Petty in 1977, but the final call favored Cindric.

“What just happened?” Cindric exclaimed upon discovering he was declared the winner.

Cindric traversed from the pit lane across the infield to collect the checkered flag, only to find out there was no flag. Instead, he tossed his hat to a fan in celebration.

Jones expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s a mix of emotions; it’s disappointing. I’m not sure what could have been done differently. It’s the rules, and hopefully, we can get the same chance on Sunday.”

Corey LaJoie, with a part-time opportunity for Rick Ware Racing, claimed the final open entry in the field.

“You sometimes forget just how special this race is. When you compete full-time, it’s the first of 36 races,” LaJoie noted. “Now we have 500 miles on Sunday to see how close we can get to the front.”

Due to Castroneves’ crash, he will officially be the 41st entry, leading to the largest participant field since the standard of 43 was set in 2015. Trackhouse Racing will not earn any points or prize money from Castroneves’ participation, meaning every driver finishing behind him will move up in the standings.

“I was having a great time,” Castroneves reflected. “The silver lining is that hopefully, the team can repair the car. I’ve learned so much from this experience, including nuances that viewers at home might miss. It’s quite fascinating, and I love it.”

The provisional entry rule sparked controversy, as seven-time NASCAR champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson, along with 2017 NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr., were puzzled as to why they weren’t chosen as designated “world-class drivers.”

This situation arose because the rule was included in the new charter agreements signed by teams in September, and neither Johnson nor Truex was aware of it until after the announcement. Unfortunately, the 90-day window to request the provisional had already closed.

Nonetheless, both Johnson and Truex secured their spots in the Daytona 500 field during the time trials held on Wednesday night.

Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is unique, as only the front row is determined in time trials, with Chase Briscoe from Joe Gibbs Racing earning the pole alongside Cindric from Team Penske. The two fastest drivers among the nine “open” entries also secure a spot, with the remaining two open slots decided in the Thursday qualifying races.

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