The 67th annual Daytona 500 is set to deliver another thrilling “Great American Race”, with 45 teams vying for a spot in NASCAR’s biggest event. While the 36 chartered teams are guaranteed entry, the remaining nine open cars must fight their way into the field.
One driver who already knows he’ll be racing is four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves, who will pilot a Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. If he fails to qualify through traditional means—either in single-car qualifying or the Duels—he will still make the grid thanks to NASCAR’s new Open Exemption Provisional as the 41st entry.
Open Entries Looking to Secure Daytona 500 Spots
With only four open slots available, the battle for Daytona 500 starting positions will be fierce. Here’s a breakdown of the nine non-chartered entries fighting for their shot at glory:
🏁 Corey LaJoie – No. 01 Ford Mustang (Rick Ware Racing)
🏁 Justin Allgaier – No. 40 Chevrolet (JR Motorsports) [JRM’s first-ever Cup Series race]
🏁 JJ Yeley – No. 44 Chevrolet (NY Racing Team)
🏁 Martin Truex Jr. – No. 56 Toyota (Tricon Garage) [First-ever Cup race for Tricon]
🏁 Anthony Alfredo – No. 62 Chevrolet (Beard Motorsports)
🏁 Chandler Smith – No. 66 Ford Mustang (Garage 66)
🏁 B.J. McLeod – No. 78 Chevrolet (Live Fast Motorsports)
🏁 Jimmie Johnson – No. 84 Toyota (Legacy Motor Club)
The headline name on this list? Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, returns to Legacy Motor Club as an open entry, aiming to lock himself into the race in his iconic No. 84 Toyota.
Another major storyline is Martin Truex Jr., who is attempting to make his first Daytona 500 start in a non-chartered car with Tricon Garage. The team, fielding Truex’s entry in partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing, reunites him with 2017 championship-winning crew chief Cole Pearn, adding intrigue to his qualifying attempt.
If Truex makes the race, it will mark Tricon Garage’s first Cup Series event, a huge milestone for the Truck Series powerhouse.
Defending Daytona 500 Champion: William Byron
William Byron and Hendrick Motorsports enter as the reigning Daytona 500 champions, looking to become the first back-to-back winner since Sterling Marlin in 1994-95.
How Will the Open Cars Qualify?
With nine open cars and only four available spots, qualifying for the Daytona 500 is a brutal challenge. These drivers have two chances to make the field:
🚀 Single-Car Qualifying (Wednesday, Feb. 14)
- The two fastest open cars in qualifying will lock into the race.
🔥 Bluegreen Vacations Duels (Thursday, Feb. 15)
- The top-finishing open car in each Duel race will secure the final two starting spots.
If Castroneves fails to qualify via speed or the Duels, he will claim the Open Exemption Provisional as the 41st entry.
What to Watch For: The Storylines Heading Into Daytona
🏆 Jimmie Johnson’s Attempt to Make the Field – Can the seven-time champion lock himself in for his Daytona 500 return?
🚀 Martin Truex Jr. and Tricon Garage’s Cup Debut – Can Truex qualify in a non-chartered car, or will he miss the race entirely?
📢 JR Motorsports’ First-Ever Cup Start – Justin Allgaier carries the hopes of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team, but will he survive the cut?
🔄 Helio Castroneves’ Daytona 500 Debut – How will the IndyCar icon fare in his first attempt at NASCAR’s crown jewel event?
With 45 cars gunning for 40 spots, expect drama, heartbreak, and fierce battles to make the Daytona 500 grid.
