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Helio Castroneves Joins Brazilian Stock Car Pro Series for 2025 Season
Helio Castroneves is set to compete in the Brazilian Stock Car Pro Series in 2025, as confirmed ahead of the season opener at Interlagos this weekend.
The acclaimed four-time Indianapolis 500 champion and iconic Brazilian racer will blend his commitments in Brazil with his ongoing pursuit of a fifth Indy 500 title in the United States. Achieving this milestone would position Castroneves as the most successful driver in the event’s history.
Driving for RTR Sport, which is debuting a Chevrolet Tracker in the Pro Series, Castroneves represents the most significant addition to the grid this year. Notably, 2025 marks a turning point for the series with the introduction of SUVs, replacing traditional sedans. The competition will see new participants from Mitsubishi with the Eclipse Cross and the already established Toyota Corolla Cross.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Castroneves remarked, “I am very happy with the invitation from Lincoln Oliveira, and I didn’t think twice about accepting. I am a big fan of the category, especially now with the challenge of the new SUV concept.”
Maique Papareli, the owner of RTR Sport, voiced his excitement as well, stating, “It is an honor to announce Helio Castroneves as our driver for the 2025 Stock Car season. Having someone of Helio’s caliber in our team is both a dream come true and a significant milestone for us. His extensive experience and commitment promise to yield outstanding results and will certainly enhance our team’s standing in Brazilian motorsport.”
Castroneves last raced full-time in Brazil during the 1994 season, where he finished as the runner-up in the national Formula 3 championship. His subsequent career took him internationally, with notable achievements in the United States, including his four Indy 500 victories and multiple wins at prestigious events like the Daytona 24 Hours, as well as the IMSA title in 2020.
While this weekend marks his official full-time debut in the Stock Car series, it is not his first appearance; he participated in the 2012 Interlagos Million Race, finishing 14th. Furthermore, he was scheduled to race in Riberao Preto in 2013 but was unable to compete due to a crash in practice.
Castroneves will be joining a roster of renowned Brazilian drivers in the 2025 Stock Car Pro Series, including two-time champion Rubens Barrichello, 2024 runner-up Felipe Massa, Formula E champion Nelson Piquet Jr., and former F1 driver Ricardo Zonta, along with veteran drivers like three-time champions Daniel Serra and Gabriel Casagrande.
2025 Stock Car Pro Series Teams and Drivers
| Team | Car | Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Chiarelli | Tracker | Caca Bueno #0 Lucas Kohl #95 |
| Crown Racing | Corolla Cross | Julio Campos #4 Arthur Leist #81 |
| TMG | Tracker | Rafael Suzuki #8 Felipe Massa #19 |
| Eurofarma-RC | Eclipse Cross | Gaetano di Mauro #11 Felipe Fraga #88 |
| RCM | Eclipse Cross | Ricardo Zonta #10 Bruno Baptista #44 |
| A. Mattheis Vogel | Tracker | Lucas Foresti #12 Gabriel Casagrande #83 |
| Blau | Eclipse Cross | Allam Khodair #18 Daniel Serra #29 |
| Scuderia Bandeiras I & II | Tracker | Enzo Elias #73 Atila Abreu #51 |
| Eclipse Cross | Nelson Piquet Jr #33 Vicente Orige #44 |
|
| Cavaleiro | Tracker | Guilherme Salas #85 Ricardo Mauricio #90 |
| Full Time | Corolla Cross | Joao Paulo de Oliveira #7 Arthur Gama #9 |
| Full Time Cavaleiro | Corolla Cross | Denis Navarro #5 Rubens Barrichello #111 |
| Ipiranga | Corolla Cross | Thiago Camilo #21 Cesar Ramos #30 |
| Car Racing | Corolla Cross | Zezinho Muggiati #38 Rafa Reis #301 |
| Car Racing KTF | Eclipse Cross | Gianluca Petecof #101 Felipe Baptista #121 |
| RTR Sport Team | Chevrolet Tracker | Helio Castroneves #TBC |
Stay tuned for updates as the 2025 season unfolds, featuring a blend of new challenges and high-stakes competition in the Brazilian Stock Car Pro Series.
Source
www.motorsport.com