Earnhardt family relishing Daytona 500 opportunity
Yesterday at 02:48 PM
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants to be as present as possible when JR Motorsports attempts to qualify for the Daytona 500, as there are no plans to run a Cup Series race beyond the event.
"I still feel like it’s still sinking in," Earnhardt said of fielding a car in a race he's won twice as a driver.
The organization, co-owned by Earnhardt and his sister, Kelly Earnhardt Miller, announced Wednesday that its reigning Xfinity Series champion, Justin Allgaier, will drive the No. 40 with sponsorship from Traveller Whiskey. Chris Stapleton, the 10-time Grammy winner and country music star, owns the brand and was put into contact with Earnhardt after initially approaching Rick Hendrick about an opportunity in NASCAR.
"I did tell Kelley that I wanted to be present for all the moments," Earnhardt continued. "From the moment we started to select the chassis and purchase the car, and find the components and get the components. And even going through that with NASCAR and understanding that whole process is really unique and new compared to how things work in the Xfinity Series. I want to be involved or at least a witness to everything."
Allgaier will have to qualify the car into the Daytona 500 field. JR Motorsports does not have a charter and it would be the team’s first NASCAR Cup Series start if Allgaier makes the field.
"Who knows if there will ever be another JR Motorsports Cup Series entry," Allgaier said. "But there will always be one 'first,' and this is obviously something that's really, really important to all of us."
Believe it. pic.twitter.com/ROTm39wGQP
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) January 16, 2025
Greg Ives will be the team's crew chief. Hendrick Motorsports will supply the engine.
"I’m going to be on pit road when the car is pushed out for qualifying," Earnhardt said. "I’ll be there when it’s going out for practice. I’ll be there when they unload it on Wednesday at the racetrack. I want to go through tech. I want to see everything. I don’t know what’s realistic because there will be some other obligations, but I’m approaching this like it’s a one-and-only opportunity — a dream come true.
"I told Kelley that I want her there for all of it, as well, because we’ve done this together from the start. This was something that we really waited for the right moment and Chris and his brand, and Traveller, and their excitement around it feels nice and genuine. They’re experiencing it for the first time, as well. So, we’re all kind of going through that."
JR Motorsports ran its first race in 2005, with Mark McFarland finishing 20th at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The following year, the full season was contested with multiple drivers behind the wheel.
Earnhardt joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, and Rick Hendrick became an owner in JR Motorsports. Mark Martin earned the team its first win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March of that season.
JR Motorsports has won four driver championships in the series with Chase Elliott (2014), William Byron (2017), Tyler Reddick (2018), and Allgaier (2024). Along the way, the organization has won 88 races. It also briefly fielded a Craftsman Truck Series entry in 2015 and '16, with Cole Custer and Kasey Kahne claiming victories.
It's been the Xfinity Series where the organization has been most comfortable and competitive. However, competing in the Cup Series has never been a firm non-possibility; it is more about the right opportunity and financial situation, particularly regarding the cost of charters.
"We’ve been talking about the opportunity to be in the Cup Series," Earnhardt Miller reiterated during the announcement. "Obviously, we’re a family of racers. This is our life. This is our passion. And so, to be able to have a Cup entry at the Daytona 500, a place that’s really special to us, a place where the Earnhardts have had a lot of history and a lot of success with both my dad and Dale, it’s just really kind of full circle.
"This is the perfect situation. The right moment. So we’re just pretty thankful and glad to be here."
JR Motorsports is one of seven Open teams who have confirmed their entry for the Daytona 500.
