Truex, Johnson earn their spots in the Daytona 500
Today at 11:30 PM
Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson are the first two Open drivers locked into the Daytona 500.
Truex, driving the No. 56 Toyota for Tricon Garage, was the fastest Open driver in single-car qualifying. Sunday will be the first Cup Series start for Tricon Garage. Truex has never won the Daytona 500.
"(It's) definitely a big relief," Truex said. "You never know what can happen in the Duels – they can get crazy, something on pit road can get you in trouble. Great job to all of the guys. They worked their butts off on this car. They were sweating all afternoon, and luckily, we were able to put a good lap in.
"Thank you to Johnny (Morris) and everyone at Bass Pro for helping put this deal together. All of the guys at Tricon and also at JGR. Toyota and TRD, I'm sure, it's a big deal for them. Both cars that just locked in are Toyotas. Big night for them, and hopefully, we can have some fun the rest of the weekend."
The 2017 series champion retired from full-time competition after the 2024 season. The car Truex is driving is fielded by Tricon Garage with help from Joe Gibbs Racing.
Johnson and the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota was the second-fastest Open driver. Johnson is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500 and had to race his way into the event last season through a duel qualifying race.
"What I went through last year was so frightening and I'm glad I don't have to go through it again," Johnson said. "I certainly respect this process and don't envy the guys that have to race their way in. It's so tough. I'm very happy with my Toyota. I'm very happy with everybody at Legacy Motor Club. We've got three cars here that are all quite fast. It's a big improvement from last year. We've worked hard in the offseason. We're in the big show."
There are nine Open drivers entered in the Daytona 500. Truex and Johnson outpaced Justin Allgaier and Corey LaJoie, who were the next fastest Open drivers. Allgaier is looking for a spot in the Daytona 500 for JR Motorsports, who would make their Cup Series debut.
The final spots for the 67th annual Daytona 500 will be determined Thursday night, including whether Helio Castroneves races his way into the Daytona 500 or falls back on the Open Exemption Provisional.
