Castroneves to use “world-class driver” provisional to race in Daytona 500 after qualifying crash

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will race in the Daytona 500 as a special 41st driver under a new rule that allows for a “world-class driver” to receive a provisional spot. “Unfortunately, we’re going to have to take the provisional," Castroneves said. Bubba Wallace in a Toyota for Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing won the first of the two qualifying races, which are used to set the starting order for Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500.

Jimmie Johnson scuffled in his first 2 years as NASCAR team owner. Can he make Legacy a winner?

The pull of driver vs. owner responsibility Johnson wrestled with for two years at last had a decisive winner. “I still want to be behind the wheel,” Johnson said, “but it’s really ... I need to come here with a different agenda.” Johnson stayed true to tightening his commitment at Legacy Motor Club, and is now the majority owner under an offseason restructuring in which a private equity firm bought into the Cup Series team. He’s Legacy’s final boss, and yeah, the 49-year-old seven-time NASCAR champion still knows how to turn a fast lap, locking himself this week into Sunday’s Daytona 500 in the first round of qualifying.

NASCAR Appeals Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing Injunction Before Daytona

NASCAR on Wednesday filed a 68-page brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit urging the appellate court to reverse preliminary injunctions granted to 23XI Racing—owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin—and Front Row Motorsports by U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell on the grounds that Bell misapplied the law and misunderstood …