Four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves completed his first NASCAR Cup Series practice laps at Daytona International Speedway, marking a significant milestone in his racing career.

"I think the camera cannot see the smile behind my helmet, but it was so cool," Castroneves said after completing 13 laps in his No. 91 Chevrolet during Wednesday's 50-minute practice session. His Trackhouse Racing team finished 12th fastest with a lap speed of 183.460 mph.

Comparing the experience to IndyCar racing, Castroneves noted key differences: "The stock car moves differently. You have power steering, but when it turns, there's a slight delay. In IndyCar, without power steering, it turns quicker and feels heavier."

To prepare for his Cup Series debut, Castroneves:

• Participated in the ARCA Menards Series test at Daytona
• Practiced at Talladega Superspeedway
• Consulted with veterans like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, and Ryan Blaney

Despite being guaranteed a starting position through Trackhouse Racing's Open Exemption Provisional, Castroneves plans to participate fully in qualifying and Thursday's duel races.

"I need practice," Castroneves emphasized. "Every moment in the car is a learning opportunity. It's a different beast with different rules and competition from what I'm used to. So, no matter what happens, I'll be running."

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