Instagram Facebook Youtube Tiktok Discord

Every Open Entry in the 2025 Daytona 500

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Kauy Ostlien

All Content
Royal T Grafix

Join the Conversation

Instagram Facebook Youtube Tiktok Discord

What’s Happening?

One of the best parts of the Daytona 500 is the open entries. 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.

  • In 2024, there were five open cars in the Daytona 500, with one car missing the 40-car field.
  • This year, there are currently nine confirmed entries for the race.

Confirmed Entries

No. 01 – Rick Ware Racing

Prior to this season, Rick Ware Racing leased what is thought to be its No. 15 Charter to RFK Racing. However, the team is planning on fielding a part-time car in 2025. The second confirmed driver, and driver for the 2025 Daytona 500, will be Corey LaJoie in the new No. 01. LaJoie had a solid run in the 2024 500, finishing a career-best of fourth

No. 40 – Justin Allgaier – JR Motorsports

JR Motorsports is finally making its NASCAR Cup Series debut with its driver, the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series. Justin Allgaier. While this appears to be a one-off, the team’s debut is noteworthy as it is a long-time rumor coming to fruition. The team will have support from Country Music star Chris Stapleton’s Traveller Whiskey, and former HMS Crew Chief Greg Ives will be on the box for Allgaier.

No. 44 – J.J. Yeley – NY Racing

J.J. Yeley and NY Racing almost had one of the best stories at Daytona last year, coming up one move short of qualifying and nearly beating out seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson for that spot. NY Racing and J.J. are back in their non-chartered entry once again for 2025, and, in the team’s 14 starts, they have a best finish of 20th.

No. 56 – Martin Truex Jr. – TRICON Garage

Following his retirement from full-time racing, Martin Truex Jr. announced that he would enter the 2025 Daytona 500. While it was unknown what team this could be, most insiders expected 23XI to enter the car. However, this start will be in the No. 56 for Craftsman Truck Series team TRICON Garage.

No. 62 – Anthony Alfredo – Beard Motorsports

Beard Motorsports and Anthony Alfredo will enter the Daytona 500 once again. The team had its best run last season with Parker Retzlaff at Daytona in August; however, its three other starts came with Alfredo, who had the team’s best finish of 7th at Talladega—the two finished 27th in the 500 last season.

No. 66 – Chandler Smith – Garage 66

In one of the most interesting stories of the 2025 Daytona 500, 65-year-old Mike Wallace will make his first NASCAR Cup Series start since the 2015 Daytona 500. Wallace and MBM are an absolute underdog story; so far, the team’s best finish is 25th; perhaps 2025 could change that.

UPDATE Jan. 13: Mike Wallace has confirmed he is not approved to enter the Daytona 500. MBM is searching for a new driver to take over the No. 66 for the race.

UPDATE Jan. 22: Front Row Motorsports Truck Series talent Chandler Smith will enter the Daytona 500 for the newly named Garage 66. Smith attempted to make the Daytona 500 with Kaulig Racing in 2023, however failed to do so. In his three Cup Series starts he has a best finish of 11th at Talladega.

No. 78 – B.J. McLeod – B.J. McLeod Motorsports

B.J. McLeod and his No. 78 announced in December that the team will make another run at the Daytona 500. This will be B.J.’s fifth attempt at the Daytona 500. He failed to qualify for the race last season. However, the team seemed to find speed late in the season.

No. 84 -Jimmie Johnson – Legacy Motor Club

After entering nine part-time races in 2024, six more than his three in 2023, Johnson will enter two races, including the Daytona 500, in 2025. The seven-time champion has entered back-to-back 500s in LMC’s No. 84 since 2023.

No. 91 – Hélio Castroneves – Trackhouse Racing

In the biggest shock move of January, Trackhouse Racings PROJECT91 entry is returning to NASCAR to make its first oval start. For the driver, Trackhouse is calling on four-time Indianapolis 500 Champion Hélio Castroneves to drive the car. Castroneves has no NASCAR experience but has four IROC series starts on the track’s oval.

What do you think about all this? Let us know on Discord and X, and remember to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Share this:

Join the Conversation

Instagram Facebook Youtube Tiktok Discord
AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

O’Reilly: SVG Wins at COTA

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The checkered flag is out for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competitors at COTA, and it was Shane van Gisbergen who was left standing tall at the end of the race. His 5th career O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory, it was his first at the track.

  • The opening stage was dominated by the JRM duo of Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen with the No. 1 of Zilisch looking to be the stronger of the two early on. Prior to the end of the stage, both short-pitted, making a long-term play for the win. SVG still managed to end the stage in 10th.
  • Austin Hill stayed out after a disappointing showing in Atlanta last week to collect some stage points. Also running strong in the first stage were Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, Brandon Jones, and Jesse Love.
  • Despite not being in his usual ride, Carson Kvapil was very competitive in his DGM No. 91 Chevy. Granted, the car was prepared by JR Motorsports ahead of this race, but it was DGM guys running the show. They did an admirable job, bringing the car home in the 19th position after falling off late. He’ll have 5 more starts in the car later this year to fill out the remainder of his schedule.
  • The second stage belonged to Sam Mayer. Finishing 2nd in the first stage and winning Stage 2, he had a mighty good points day today. Meanwhile, his former teammate Justin Allgaier also had a strong finish in stage 2. That’s a promising sign, considering his heartbreaks in Daytona and Atlanta, respectively.
  • Connor Zilisch had far from a perfect race today. Sure, he led a bulk of the opening stage, but mechanical issues plagued him later in the race. Extra time on pit road making repairs put him behind the 8 ball in Stage 2. This put the race firmly in the hands of SVG. He did manage to battle back to the top 5 before he was dumped by Corey Day and the controversy around that driver continues to build. Zilisch brought it home in 21st with significant damage.
  • With Connor Zilisch’s issues, it was more or less a cakewalk for Shane van Gisbergen in the JRM No. 9. He went on to win, scoring his 5th career win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He has an opportunity to sweep the weekend. He starts tomorrow’s Cup race in the 13th position.

Race Results

Caution Tracker
  • Lap 20: End of Stage 1
  • Lap 35: Baltazar Leguizamon spins
  • Lap 40: End of Stage 2
  • Lap 57: Sage Karam

Points Standings

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, and Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

O’Reilly: Mid-Race Report, It’s the Zilisch and SVG Show!

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The first two stages are in the books for the stars of tomorrow in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at COTA. Predictably, Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen dominated the first two stages. As they short-pitted at the end of each stage, Austin Hill and Sam Mayer both went to collect stage wins, respectively. Here are the key takeaways from the race so far.

  • Austin Hill, after a disappointing finish to last week’s race in Atlanta following being sent by Ross Chastain, won the opening stage of the race. This was, of course, after Connor Zilisch and SVG short pitted, playing the long game for the win. Zilisch led a bulk of the opening stage, leading 12 of the opening 20 laps. On pit road, SVG managed to leapfrog Zilisch for the would-be race lead.
  • The only incident to note in the opening stage was when Jeremy Clements got off course. The caution did not fly, and he finished the stage in the 30th position.
  • Key drivers earning stage points in the opening stage include Austin Hill (10), Sam Mayer (9), Justin Allgaier (8), Brandon Jones (7), Jesse Love (6), Carson Kvapil (5), Corey Day (4), and Rajah Caruth (2).
  • The second stage wasn’t quite as cut and dry as the first. While battling for the lead, Connor Zilisch overdrove a corner, making an uncharacteristic mistake. He went over the radio to complain that it felt like his car was pulling to the right, an indication of a possible issue with his left side brakes.
  • There was a late caution in the stage as Baltazar Leguizamón suffered a brake failure and plowed hard into the tire barrier. He was okay but this effectively ended his day. SVG and Connor Zilisch both came down pit road during this caution. Zilisch had a slow stop as his No. 1 crew started to check out the right side of the car for potential brake problems. Sam Mayer went on to win the stage.
  • Earning stage points in the second stage were Sam Mayer (10), Justin Allgaier (9), Carson Kvapil (8), Jesse Love (7), Austin Hill (5), Sammy Smith (4), Brandon Jones (3), and Ryan Sieg (1).

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, and Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, lead the field during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

What to Keep an Eye on in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race at COTA

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The NASCAR Saturday Double-Header continues with O’Reilly Auto Parts Series action from Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Here’s what you need to look out for and what to expect in today’s race.

  • Road course heavy hitters, Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen, are in the field today. You know what that means: another slobber knocker of a race between them as everyone else struggles to keep up. And, you guessed it: they both are starting on the front row with Zilisch claiming the pole in his No. 1 JRM Chevy. SVG is driving the No. 9.
  • Since Zilisch is in the No. 1, Carson Kvapil has been demoted to the No. 91 of DGM Racing. While the car is prepared by JR Motorsports, it won’t be his usual pit crew. Rather, his crew is made up entirely of DGM employees. So, there are a lot of unknowns for him heading into today’s race. He’s starting 6th.
  • Speaking of JRM, Rajah Caruth turned some heads in the first two races of this season. How will he fare on a road course? That No. 88 team is used to winning on these types of tracks. Keep an eye on him. Caruth is rolling off 19th.
  • Austin Hill bounces back after a disappointing finish last week in Atlanta, thanks to the ruthless bumper of Ross Chastain. He’s rolling off in the 3rd position.
  • Coverage for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at COTA begins at 3 PM EST on the CW.

Starting Lineup

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.