JR Motorsports is making its debut in the NASCAR Cup Series with an entry for the 2025 Daytona 500. Owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., the team will have Justin Allgaier behind the wheel. Allgaier, who clinched the 2024 Xfinity Series championship, has been racing for JR Motorsports in NASCAR’s second-tier series since 2016. The car will be sponsored by a whiskey brand owned by musician Chris Stapleton.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed excitement, stating they waited for the perfect moment to enter the Cup Series, highlighting Allgaier’s championship win and Stapleton’s star power as key factors. Allgaier has consistently ranked in the top five of the Xfinity standings over the past six seasons, with his recent title being his first.
JR Motorsports has been a dominant force in the Xfinity Series since 2005 but has not attempted to move up to NASCAR’s top level, unlike many other teams. Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired from full-time NASCAR competition at the end of 2017 and has since co-owned an Xfinity team with his sister Kelly Earnhardt Miller.
This Daytona 500 entry pushes the field toward over 40 cars trying to qualify, with the No. 40 car confirmed as the 41st entry, alongside teams of Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson. The No. 66 MBM Motorsports team also declared its intent to compete but currently lacks a driver after Mike Wallace’s NASCAR approval fell through. Wallace, 65, hasn’t raced on an oval in the national series since 2015.
Meanwhile, Helio Castroneves is set to have a spot thanks to a new NASCAR rule. If he doesn’t qualify through normal speed or duel races, he will be added as the 41st car.
Fan Take: This move by JR Motorsports shakes up the NASCAR landscape by bridging proven Xfinity talent with Cup level competition, giving fans a fresh storyline and injecting new energy into the historic Daytona 500. It also reflects the evolving dynamics of team ownership and sponsorships, signaling exciting times ahead for NASCAR’s growth and appeal.
