As the Daytona Duel closes on Thursday night, some drivers’ ambitions to race in the Daytona 500 will come to an end. Among the 36 charter teams automatically qualified, nine open teams have entered, making a total of 45 entries vying for just 41 slots on the starting grid. Eight drivers will battle for the final four positions through Wednesday’s qualifying time trials and Thursday’s heat races, while Jimmie Johnson, the ninth open entry, has a guaranteed spot through a special provisional rule.
Here’s a look at the open-entry drivers and their teams, noting that four of these will not be racing in the 68th Daytona 500 on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway:
Justin Allgaier – No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet
JR Motorsports, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., is back for the Daytona 500 after debuting last year as an open entry. Justin Allgaier, who just captured the 2024 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series title, qualified quickly and finished in the top 10 last year. His Chevrolet, powered by a Hendrick engine, is among the early favorites to secure a spot again.
Corey Lajoie – No. 99 RFK Racing Ford
A reliable superspeedway competitor, Lajoie drives for RFK Racing, a team with two previous Daytona 500 victories. Despite less backing with Rick Ware Racing than RFK, Lajoie fought hard last race but crashed while in the top five on the last lap. If he qualifies, it will be his 10th straight Daytona 500, with a best finish of fourth. He benefits from the support of three teammate cars during the duel races.
Corey Heim – No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota
Heim, the reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, looks to make his Daytona 500 debut with 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, who have won the 500 three times. He plans to compete in 12 Cup races this year, with this being his first superspeedway appearance. Heim had previously missed a race with 23XI at the Chicago Street Course last summer.
Chandler Smith – Front Row 36th Motorsports Ford
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is fielding a fourth open entry for Smith, primarily known as a Truck Series regular. This marks Smith’s third Daytona 500 attempt with three separate teams. Unfortunately, he missed the race with Kaulig in 2023 and Garage 66 in 2025, finishing with no wins and two DNQs so far.
Anthony Alfredo – No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
Beard Motorsports, a part-time outfit focused on superspeedways with technical support from RCR, aims for its 10th straight Daytona 500 attempt, missing only three. Alfredo and the team did not qualify last year, but they are partnering again for 2024, hoping for a better outcome.
JJ Yeley – No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet
A veteran journeyman with nearly 400 Cup starts over two decades, Yeley is considered an underdog. He’s made 11 attempts at the Daytona 500 with nine different teams, qualifying six times in the past but struggling with DNQs in recent years. This year, he will drive for the New York Racing Team for the first time, last racing in the 500 in 2022 with Greg Biffle.
Casey Mears – No. 66 Garage 66 Ford
With the most Cup experience among the open drivers, Mears has 13 prior Daytona 500 starts, nearly winning in 2006 with a second-place finish. He has tried to qualify 15 times, missing only twice, but it’s been seven years since his last 500 appearance. Garage 66, his current team, has had mixed success in qualifying, with no appearances since 2020.
BJ McLeod – No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
McLeod, both a driver and owner, previously owned a charter but sold it for over $40 million and downsized his team. Having raced the Daytona 500 five times, he failed to qualify in both 2024 and 2025 as an open entry. Though his chances appear slim, McLeod relies on his garage allies, crucial for drafting at Daytona.
Locked In: Jimmie Johnson – No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
This car is not one to overlook. NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will make his 23rd Daytona 500 start in a car he co-owns, having won the race twice before (2006 and 2013). Johnson is exempt from qualifying through the Open Exemption Provisional, which is exclusive to All-Star drivers and adds an extra 41st spot to the field. With 700 Cup starts and 83 wins, Johnson remains a strong contender, finishing third in last year’s Daytona 500 — his first top-five finish since 2020.
Fan Take:
The intense competition among open entries highlights how fiercely coveted the Daytona 500 grid spots are, underscoring the unpredictability and drama that NASCAR fans crave. Seeing legends like Jimmie Johnson secure a spot alongside rising talents creates a thrilling blend of experience and ambition, keeping the sport vibrant and captivating for the current generation and future fans alike.
