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.