What’s Happening?

A storyline to focus on entering every Daytona 500 is the numerous open entries that attempt to make the race. These open (or unchartered) cars face uncertainty entering the weekend as they must qualify for the race by speed or by a high finishing order in a duel.

• Every year, given that there are more than two open entries, open teams chase glory at Daytona through qualifying and the Duel races.
• While drivers can lock in on qualifying day, the two 150-mile races on Thursday are usually how they make their way into the field, with the race within the race usually coming down to mere feet between open cars.
• In 2025, there were nine open cars in the Daytona 500, marking a full field for the Daytona 500. This race was also the first since 2015 to have more than 40 cars, as Trackhouse Racing’s Hélio Castroneves utilized the NASCAR Open Exemption Provisional to add a 41st car to the field.
• This year, there is currently one confirmed entry for the 68th Daytona 500.

Confirmed Entries

No. 40 – Justin Allgaier – JR Motorsports

JR Motorsports Set to Return to NASCAR Cup Series Action in 2026

JR Motorsports Set to Return to NASCAR Cup Series Action in 2026

What’s Happening? JR Motorsports will enter its second-ever NASCAR Cup Series race in February as Justin Allgaier and the team’s No….

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Last season, JR Motorsports made its NASCAR Cup Series debut in the 2025 Daytona 500. This entry, the No. 40, was a collaboration between Grammy-winning singer Chris Stapleton’s Traveller Whiskey and JRM, with driver Justin Allgaier piloting the popular entry to a top ten finish, bringing his damaged Chevrolet home in ninth.

In 2026, JRM will attempt a second Daytona 500 with Allgaier in the Traveller Whiskey No. 40; they were the first open team to announce their entry to the 500.

This list will be updated as teams make car and driver announcements throughout the season.