JR Motorsports to field Daytona 500 entry for Allgaier
Yesterday at 04:11 PM
JR Motorsports will field a NASCAR Cup Series entry for the first time next month as it attempts to qualify for the Daytona 500 with Justin Allgaier.
Allgaier, the reigning Xfinity Series champion for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller, will drive the No. 40 Chevrolet. The organization has partnered with country music star and 10-time Grammy winner Chris Stapleton for the effort, as Stapleton will sponsor the car with his Traveller Whiskey brand.
"We've been waiting for the right moment for JR Motorsports," said Earnhardt Jr. "With Justin winning the Xfinity Series championship and Chris Stapleton's undeniable star power, the planets aligned for this perfect opportunity to enter this year's Daytona 500."
The team will need to earn a spot in the field either through qualifying speed or a Thursday night (Feb.13) Duel qualifying race. JR Motorsports is the sixth announced Open team that will attempt to qualify into the Daytona 500. The others are Beard Motorsports, Live Fast Motorsports, MBM Motorsports, NY Racing, and Trackhouse Racing.
Although the program is a first for JR Motorsports at the Cup Series level, Allgaier has made 82 starts in the series. Allgaier was a full-time driver in 2014 and '15 for Harry Scott Jr. before signing with Earnhardt and since competing in the Xfinity Series. He's won 22 races in the series since 2016 and claimed the 2024 series title.
"This is an incredible honor to be driving JR Motorsports' inaugural entry into the Cup Series, and to do it with not only Dale and Kelley, but Chris Stapleton and Traveller Whiskey makes this even more special," said Allgaier. "Entering into the Daytona 500 has been a goal of this company for a long time and I know that we are going to have everything we need to go out and contend for the win. This is going to be special, for sure."
Allgaier will attempt to defend his title with JR Motorsports this year. The organization will contend for its fifth driver championship with Allgaier, Carson Kvapil, Sammy Smith, and Connor Zilisch.
Allgaier has made seven starts in the Cup Series since 2016. The most recent was in the Coca-Cola 600 last season as the backup driver for Kyle Larson as the latter competed in the Indianapolis 500. Allgaier qualified and ran the complete rain-shortened race, finishing in the 13th position.
If he qualifies for the Daytona 500, it would Allgaier's third start in the event. He finished 27th in the 2014 event and 37th in 2015.
