Andre Castro Bio
Andre Castro (born January 6, 1999) is an American professional racing driver. He has competed across multiple open-wheel and stock car series, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the USF Juniors championship. Castro is recognized for winning the prestigious Team USA Scholarship in 2021 and for balancing his motorsports career with studies at one of the country’s leading universities.
A first-generation Colombian-American, Castro has built a career path that began in junior open-wheel racing and progressed into NASCAR national series competition. His journey from New York City karting and club circuits to national stock car events reflects both family sacrifice and personal discipline.
Early Life and Background
Andre Castro was born on January 6, 1999, in New York City, New York. He is a first-generation Colombian-American, and his family immigrated to the United States from Colombia. Growing up in New York City, Castro was exposed to a wide range of influences that shaped his early interest in motorsports and competitive driving.
Castro attended Stuyvesant High School in New York City, a specialized public school known for its rigorous academic focus. He later continued his education at the University of Chicago, balancing collegiate studies with a developing racing career. His academic path is unusual among professional drivers and demonstrates a strong commitment to education alongside sport.
Path to NASCAR
Castro’s early racing experience began in junior open-wheel formulas, where he developed his car control and race craft. He competed in the F1600 Championship Series in 2017 and returned to the U.S. F2000 National Championship during the 2019–2020 seasons. These early programs helped him build credentials on the American open-wheel ladder.
In 2021, Castro competed in the U.S. F2000 National Championship with Legacy Autosport. That same year, he was one of two drivers to win the prestigious Team USA Scholarship, a respected award that has launched the careers of several notable American drivers. The scholarship helped raise his profile and paved the way for opportunities in both international events and NASCAR.
Andre Castro Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Castro’s earliest national-level experience came in the F1600 Championship Series in 2017, where he began learning the fundamentals of formula car racing. He returned to the U.S. F2000 National Championship in 2019 and 2020, steadily building his résumé with Legacy Autosport as a key development team.
His 2021 season with Legacy Autosport in U.S. F2000 marked a high point of his junior career. That year, he earned the prestigious Team USA Scholarship, an award shared with one other driver. He also gained international experience by competing in the Formula Ford Festival during the 2021 season and briefly raced in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, broadening his exposure to touring car-style competition.
USF Juniors Breakthrough (2022)
In 2022, Castro moved to the USF Juniors championship, driving for International Motorsport in car number 23. He made 16 starts that season and earned one podium finish. His best championship result was fifth place overall in 2022, a strong showing in a competitive development series.
The USF Juniors campaign gave Castro consistent seat time and race experience that prepared him for the transition to NASCAR’s national touring divisions. Working with International Motorsport allowed him to refine his road course and oval skills in preparation for stock car racing.
NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Era (2023–2025)
Castro made his NASCAR national series debut in 2023 at The Loop 121 in Chicago. He has since competed part-time in what is now the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 35 Chevrolet Camaro SS for Joey Gase Motorsports alongside co-owner Scott Osteen. His first and most recent recorded races bookend the Chicago street circuit, beginning with The Loop 121 in 2023 and concluding with The Loop 110 in 2025.
Across his O'Reilly Auto Parts Series career to date, Castro has recorded zero wins, zero top tens, and zero poles. His best season finishes to date are 67th in 2023 and 67th in 2024, with a 71st-place ranking in the 2025 standings as the season remains in progress.
International Motorsport Era (2022)
Castro’s tenure with International Motorsport began in the USF Juniors championship, where he drove the No. 23 car. The partnership gave him a stable platform to gain experience and contributed to his development as a versatile driver. His open-wheel work with the team laid the groundwork for his later NASCAR opportunities.
Driving Style and Strengths
Castro’s background in open-wheel racing gives him a strong technical foundation, particularly in car control and adapting to varying track types. His experience across formula cars, road courses, and ovals demonstrates versatility, and his work with both Legacy Autosport and International Motorsport has shaped his approach to race craft and feedback with engineering teams.
Notable Races and Milestones
Signature moments in Castro’s career include his 2023 NASCAR debut at The Loop 121 in Chicago and his 2025 appearance at The Loop 110 on the same street course. His 2021 Team USA Scholarship stands as one of his most recognized achievements, alongside his fifth-place USF Juniors finish in 2022.
Andre Castro Career Wins
Andre Castro has not recorded a win in any NASCAR national series through the 2025 season. His career highlights are instead defined by developmental accomplishments, including the 2021 Team USA Scholarship and a fifth-place finish in USF Juniors in 2022.
USF Juniors Highlights
During his 2022 USF Juniors season with International Motorsport, Castro earned one podium across 16 starts. While he did not win a race, his consistent results placed him fifth in the championship, marking one of his strongest overall campaigns to date.
Other Wins & Performances
Castro has competed in a range of regional and developmental series, including the F1600 Championship Series, the U.S. F2000 National Championship, the Formula Ford Festival, and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. His most recognized off-track accomplishment remains the 2021 Team USA Scholarship.
Andre Castro Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Castro is a first-generation Colombian-American. His family immigrated to the United States from Colombia, and he grew up in New York City. His family background represents a significant influence on his drive and discipline as a competitive athlete.
Personal Life
Castro is known publicly for his Colombian-American heritage and his commitment to education. He attended Stuyvesant High School in New York City and studied at the University of Chicago, reflecting an academic path pursued alongside his racing career.
2025 Season Performance
Castro’s 2025 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign has been limited, with his most recent recorded start coming at The Loop 110 in Chicago. His position in the 2025 standings is 71st, reflecting part-time participation rather than a full-season run.
His part-time schedule with Joey Gase Motorsports has allowed him to continue gaining experience at the national level while balancing other commitments. The 2025 season remains in progress, with opportunities for additional starts still possible.
Looking ahead, Castro’s mix of open-wheel background and NASCAR experience positions him for potential expanded opportunities in future seasons. Continued development with Joey Gase Motorsports and ongoing work in road course and oval events may shape his next career steps.
