Andre Castro Bio
Andre Castro (born January 6, 1999) is an American professional racing driver who has competed across multiple NASCAR and open-wheel racing series. A first-generation Colombian-American, Castro began his career in junior open-wheel formula cars before transitioning to stock car racing. He drove the No. 35 Chevrolet Camaro SS for Joey Gase Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and is recognized for winning the prestigious Team USA Scholarship in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Andre Castro was born on January 6, 1999, in New York City, New York. His family immigrated to the United States from Colombia, making him a first-generation Colombian-American. Growing up in New York City, Castro attended Stuyvesant High School, a prestigious specialized public high school known for its rigorous academics.
He later pursued higher education at the University of Chicago, where he balanced his academic interests with his passion for motorsports. The combination of a strong educational foundation and an immigrant family story shaped Castro’s disciplined approach to racing and his drive to succeed at the national level.
Path to NASCAR
Castro’s path to professional motorsports began in open-wheel formula racing, the traditional American feeder system that prepares young drivers for higher-profile competition. He raced in the USF Juniors championship with International Motorsport, gaining valuable experience on road courses and ovals. The team became an early professional home for Castro and helped develop his race craft.
In 2021, Castro advanced to the U.S. F2000 National Championship, driving for Legacy Autosport. That same year, he was named one of two drivers to win the prestigious Team USA Scholarship, an award that recognizes promising young American talent and supports their continued development in international motorsports. The scholarship marked a defining moment in his junior career and helped set the stage for his move into NASCAR’s national touring series.
Andre Castro Career
Early Career (2021)
Castro’s earliest documented national results came during the 2021 season, when he competed in the U.S. F2000 National Championship with Legacy Autosport. Racing in the Road to Indy development ladder exposed him to a competitive field and demanding race weekends, building the technical and physical stamina required for professional motorsports.
Alongside his open-wheel program, Castro continued racing with International Motorsport in the USF Juniors championship, gaining experience on a variety of circuits. Winning the Team USA Scholarship that year elevated his profile among American drivers and connected him to a broader network of team owners and sponsors who watched the program closely.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Breakthrough (2022)
Castro transitioned to stock car racing in 2022, joining Joey Gase Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He drove the No. 35 Chevrolet Camaro SS with Scott Osteen serving as a key member of his team. The move represented a significant shift from open-wheel cars to heavier, higher-horsepower stock cars, requiring Castro to adapt his driving style, braking points, and race strategy.
Competing part-time in the Xfinity Series allowed Castro to focus on select events while continuing to develop his stock car experience. His role with Joey Gase Motorsports placed him in a competitive environment where he could build relationships with crew members and learn the nuances of NASCAR’s national touring series, including pit strategy and pack racing at high-speed ovals.
International Motorsport Era (2021-Present)
International Motorsport has been a consistent part of Castro’s professional career, beginning with his USF Juniors program. The team provided him with an early platform to showcase his talent and remained an important partner as he expanded into national-level competition.
Returning to and continuing with International Motorsport has allowed Castro to maintain a stable team relationship while pursuing opportunities in NASCAR. The combination of his open-wheel background and stock car experience positions him as a versatile driver capable of adapting to different racing formats.
Driving Style and Strengths
Castro’s open-wheel background gives him a refined feel for car balance, precise inputs, and aerodynamic management, skills that translate well to modern stock car racing. His time on road courses in formula cars has helped him develop smooth race craft, while his work in NASCAR has strengthened his ability to navigate pack racing and strategic pit sequences.
Notable Races and Milestones
Among Castro’s most significant milestones is winning the 2021 Team USA Scholarship, an award shared with only one other driver that year. His debut in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Joey Gase Motorsports marked another career-defining moment, signaling his arrival on one of NASCAR’s premier national stages.
Andre Castro Career Wins
Andre Castro’s verified win list is anchored by the 2021 Team USA Scholarship, one of the most respected awards in American junior motorsports. While his documented NASCAR Xfinity Series tenure with Joey Gase Motorsports did not produce a confirmed race victory during the covered period, his trajectory from open-wheel ladder series to a national NASCAR ride reflects steady progression through the sport’s development pipeline.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Highlights
Castro has competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 35 Chevrolet Camaro SS for Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen. His appearances have focused on building experience at the national level rather than accumulating race wins, and his verified results in the series do not yet include a confirmed victory.
Other Wins and Performances
In open-wheel competition, Castro raced in the USF Juniors championship with International Motorsport and the U.S. F2000 National Championship with Legacy Autosport in 2021. His selection as a Team USA Scholarship winner that same year stands as his most prominent documented achievement outside of NASCAR.
Andre Castro Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Andre Castro comes from a Colombian family that immigrated to the United States, making him a first-generation Colombian-American. His upbringing in New York City shaped his identity as both an American and a proud representative of his family’s heritage, while his parents supported his path into motorsports from an early stage.
Personal Life
Castro attended Stuyvesant High School in New York City before enrolling at the University of Chicago for his undergraduate studies. Balancing rigorous academics with a professional racing career demonstrates the discipline and time management that have defined his journey through motorsports.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Andre Castro’s program is expected to build on his part-time NASCAR Xfinity Series experience with Joey Gase Motorsports and his continued relationship with International Motorsport. With a Chevrolet-backed effort behind him, he will look to expand his schedule and add more starts at the national level as he gains confidence in stock car competition.
Castro’s 2025 outlook centers on consistency and development rather than immediate win totals. Continued seat time in the Xfinity Series, combined with lessons learned from his open-wheel foundation, should help him refine his race craft and positioning for future opportunities with established teams.
As the season unfolds, Castro’s combination of technical driving skill, a respected scholarship pedigree, and ties to both Joey Gase Motorsports and International Motorsport will shape his storyline. Progress in qualifying speed, race finishes, and team chemistry will serve as the key benchmarks for measuring his growth during the year.