Nine Underdogs Vie for Four Coveted Spots in Daytona 500 as Qualifying Heats Loom

Daytona Beach, FL – The roar of engines at Daytona International Speedway is not just a soundtrack to speed; it’s the sound of dreams on the line. As NASCAR’s premier event, the Daytona 500, approaches, a fierce battle is brewing among nine open-entry teams, each fighting tooth and nail for a mere four available spots on the starting grid. With 36 chartered entries already guaranteed their place in the iconic 68th running of "The Great American Race" on February 15th, the remaining 45 cars in contention create a palpable tension as qualifying and the preceding Duel races will determine who gets to race and who watches from the sidelines.

The path to the Daytona 500 for these open teams is a high-stakes gauntlet. Wednesday’s time trials set the initial order, but the true drama unfolds during Thursday’s twin Duel races. These 150-mile qualifying events will award finishing positions that translate directly into starting spots for the main event. While eight drivers will earn their way onto the grid through sheer performance in the Duels, NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, in his No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota, holds a special provisional exemption, ensuring his presence and adding a unique narrative to the open-entry field.

This year’s open-entry landscape features a compelling mix of established veterans, rising stars, and dedicated teams striving for NASCAR’s most prestigious checkered flag. Each driver and team brings a unique story and set of challenges to Daytona.

Justin Allgaier will pilot the No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, marking a significant return for the team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. JR Motorsports, a dominant force in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS), made its Daytona 500 debut as an open entry last year. Allgaier, the 2024 NOAPS champion, impressed in his first 500 attempt in a decade, not only qualifying on speed but also securing a top-ten finish. With the potent power of a Hendrick Motorsports engine, the No. 40 is considered a strong contender to make the field once again. Allgaier’s previous success at Daytona, including a fifth-place finish in 2018, bodes well for his chances.

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Corey LaJoie, driving the No. 99 RFK Racing Ford, is no stranger to superspeedway racing. His presence in a car fielded by a team with two prior Daytona 500 victories (with Kurt Busch in 2017 and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in 2024) adds significant weight to his bid. LaJoie himself made the 500 with the less-resourced Rick Ware Racing in 2023, even contending for the win before a late-race incident. This would mark his tenth consecutive start in the crown jewel event, where his best result is a fourth-place finish. The advantage of having three chartered teammates at RFK Racing provides him with crucial drafting assistance and strategic support during the Duels.

The No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota will be helmed by Corey Heim, the reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion. Backed by a team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR star Denny Hamlin, Heim is set to make his Daytona 500 debut. While he is scheduled to compete in 12 Cup Series races this season, this marks his first foray onto a superspeedway in NASCAR’s top tier. Heim’s track record in the Truck Series, known for its close-quarters racing, suggests he possesses the necessary skills for pack racing. The team, which boasts three Daytona 500 wins under Hamlin’s influence, will be a significant factor.

Chandler Smith returns to the Daytona 500 field in the No. 36 Front Row Motorsports (FRM) Ford. FRM, a team known for its dedication to the superspeedway discipline, fields a fourth entry alongside its three chartered cars. This is Smith’s third attempt at the 500, having previously tried with Kaulig Racing in 2023 and Garage 66 in 2025, but has yet to qualify for the main event. His previous attempts underscore the difficulty of securing a starting spot, even with a competitive team.

Anthony Alfredo will be behind the wheel of the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet. Beard Motorsports operates as a part-time team, strategically focusing on superspeedway events with technical assistance from Richard Childress Racing (RCR). This marks their tenth consecutive attempt at the Daytona 500, with a history of making the field, though Alfredo himself narrowly missed out in 2023. However, the same pairing successfully qualified in 2024, demonstrating their potential.

JJ Yeley, a veteran of nearly 400 Cup Series starts, enters the fray in the No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet. Yeley is a seasoned competitor who has attempted the Daytona 500 eleven times with a variety of teams, achieving six starts in the race. However, his last four attempts have resulted in DNQs. This year’s partnership with the NY Racing Team, which last qualified for the 500 in 2022 with Greg Biffle, presents a new opportunity for the journeyman driver.

Casey Mears, a highly experienced driver with nearly 500 Cup Series starts to his name, will pilot the No. 66 Garage 66 Ford. Mears has a strong history at Daytona, including a runner-up finish in 2006. He has 15 previous attempts in the Daytona 500, but has not competed in the event for seven years. Garage 66 has a mixed record in recent years, having last qualified for the season opener in 2020 and subsequently failing to make the field in subsequent attempts. Mears’ vast superspeedway experience will be crucial for his team’s chances.

BJ McLeod, the driver and owner of Live Fast Motorsports’ No. 78 Chevrolet, faces a challenging path. Having previously held a chartered entry, McLeod sold it and has since operated a part-time effort. He has made five Daytona 500 starts but has failed to qualify in his last two attempts as an open entry. Despite the long odds, McLeod’s deep connections within the NASCAR garage could prove to be an invaluable asset at a drafting track like Daytona, where alliances can play a significant role.

Finally, the undisputed titan of this open-entry group, and a significant figure in NASCAR history, is Jimmie Johnson. The seven-time Cup Series champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner (2006, 2013) will drive the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota. Johnson is not subject to the Duel races for his starting spot due to the Open Exemption Provisional, a special provision reserved for drivers of exceptional caliber, effectively adding a 41st guaranteed spot to the grid. With over 700 Cup starts and 83 wins, placing him sixth on the all-time wins list, Johnson is a formidable presence. His third-place finish in last year’s Daytona 500 in the same car was his first top-five result since 2020, signaling his continued prowess.

The intensity of qualifying and the Duels will undoubtedly provide compelling racing as these drivers and teams battle for their chance to compete in one of motorsports’ most revered events. The outcome will not only determine who races for the coveted Harley J. Earl Trophy but also shape the narrative of the 2026 Daytona 500.

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